ROANOKE, Ind. (WOWO): Economic leaders from the area are marking a major step in developing a food network.

Wednesday they launched a feasibility study to make it a reality. It's called the Northeast Indiana Regional Foodshed and it seeks to link local producers with local consumers at all levels.

That includes restaurants, families and farmers markets. It also would serve as a incubator that leads goods and products through the marketing process from concept to the store.
  
That study totals more than $62,000, and seeks to identify resources and propose a strategy linking 11 Northeast Indiana counties.

Area economic development officials say it has the potential to spark growth in locally-grown products and related jobs.

Some analysts say Hoosiers spend $18 billion in food and 90 percent of it goes out of state. Experts project with the regional foodshed, 10 percent of that spending, could stay in the region.

The study is financed in large part, by a $43,000 community development grant from the USDA.