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The Largest Selection of Wholesale Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Products in Indianapolis

When it comes to trying new, exciting cuisine, few foods hit the spot like a deliciously fresh Mediterranean meal. However, we know that it can be very difficult to find authentic Mediterranean grocery wholesalers in Indianapolis, IN. Having lived in metro Atlanta for years, we realized that our customers needed an easy way to find quality wholesale Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food in bulk. That is why we created Nazareth Grocery Mediterranean Market - to give everyone a chance to enjoy tasty, healthy food, desserts, and authentic Mediterranean gifts at wholesale prices.

Founded in 2009, Nazareth Grocery has become one of Indianapolis's leading international wholesale grocery stores. We are very proud to serve our customers and do everything in our power to give them the largest selection of high-quality wholesale goods available.

If you're looking for the freshest, most delicious Middle Eastern wholesale products and ingredients, you will find them here at the best prices in the state. We encourage you to swing by our store in Marietta to see our selection for yourself. We think that you will be impressed!

The Nazareth Difference

At Nazareth Grocery Mediterranean Market, our mission is simple: bring you and your family the largest selection of wholesale Mediterranean products in Indianapolis. When coupled with our helpful, friendly staff and authentic Middle Eastern atmosphere, it's easy to see why we are the top Middle Eastern grocery wholesaler in Indianapolis, IN. We're proud to carry just about every kind of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern product that you can think of, from prepared meals and hookahs to fine seasonings and sweets. We're here for our customers and want each one of them to have a unique, one-of-a-kind experience when they shop with us.

Our loyal customers love our selection of the following wholesale foods and gifts:

  • Fresh Breads
  • OlivesOlives
  • HummusHummus
  • CheesesCheeses
  • SaucesSauces
  • Savory-FoodsSavory Foods
  • DessertsDesserts
  • DrinksDrinks
  • HookahsHookahs
  • TobaccoTobacco
  • SaucesGifts
  • Much More!Much More!

Our Service Areas

Most Popular Wholesale Mediterranean Foods

There is so much more to Mediterranean food than pizza and pasta. The perfect climate combined with delicious foods and amazing wine makes the Mediterranean incredibly irresistible. That's why our customers absolutely love to buy this kind of cuisine in bulk. Every country in this region has its own set of specialties and delicacies, each with its own flavors and styles of preparation.

Mediterranean countries include:

  • France
  • Greece
  • Italy
  • Turkey
  • Syria
  • Egypt
  • Israel
  • Libya
  • Morocco
  • Tunisia
  • Spain
Mediterranean Grocery Indianapolis, IN

So, when it comes to the most popular wholesale Mediterranean products in Indianapolis,
what are we talking about?

 Mediterranean Supermarkets Indianapolis, IN

Feta Cheese

Feta cheese is a classic Mediterranean dairy product that is often enjoyed on its own, in Greek salads, on bread, or mixed with zucchini. Depending on where the feta is sourced and produced, the cheese can be made from cow, sheep, or goat milk, or even a combination of the three. Regardless of the animal it comes from, this delicious cheese is a crowd favorite.

 Mediterranean Grocery Store Indianapolis, IN

Baba Ganoush

This Levantine dish is one of the most well-known Mediterranean dishes to eat in the United States. It typically comes in the form of a dip, served with pita or another kind of dipping bread. Commonly served before dinner as an appetizer of sorts, it usually features tahini, eggplant, garlic, spices, and sometimes yogurt. This tasty cuisine works great as a spread on a sandwich, or you can even eat it with a spoon, all on its own.

 Middle Eastern Grocery Indianapolis, IN

Baklava

If you have never tried authentic baklava before, get ready to have your mind blown. This dessert is a traditional Mediterranean food that will have your taste buds craving more and more. Once you open a box of baklava from our Mediterranean grocery wholesaler in Indianapolis, IN, you won't want to stop eating! Baklava is made with layers of thin filo dough, which is layered together, filled with chopped nuts (think pistachios), and sealed with honey or syrup. Baklava is so good that its origins are debated, leaving many wondering which country invented the dessert. Everyone from the Turks to the Greeks and even Middle Easterners hold unique takes on baklava. Try each one to discover your favorite!

Most Popular Wholesale Middle Eastern Foods

Fresh, healthy, aromatic, rich: it's no wonder that the popularity of Middle Eastern cuisine and products has skyrocketed in the United States. This genre of cuisine features a large variety of foods, from Halvah to Labneh. If there were one common theme throughout all Middle Eastern food, it would be the bright, vibrant herbs and spices that are used. These flavorings help create rich, complex flavors that foodies fawn over. Typically, Middle Eastern food is piled high for all to eat, with enough food for an entire republic to put down.

 Mediterranean Food Stores Indianapolis, IN

Tabbouleh

This refreshing, healthy dish is chock-full of greens, herbs, tomatoes, and bulgur (or cracked wheat), creating a memorable, bold flavor. This dish may be eaten on its own or paired with a shawarma sandwich or helping of falafel. It's best to buy your ingredients in bulk to make this dish because it tastes best freshly made with family around to enjoy. Just be sure to bring a toothpick to the tabbouleh party - you're almost certain to have some leafy greens stuck in your teeth after eating.

 Middle Eastern Market Indianapolis, IN

Shawarma

We mentioned shawarma above, and for good reason - this dish is enjoyed by men and women around the world, and of course, right here in the U.S. Except for falafel, this might be the most popular Middle Eastern food item in history. Shawarma is kind of like a Greek gyro, with slow-roasted meat stuffed in laffa with veggies and sauce. The blend of spices and the smoky meat mix together to create a tangy, meaty flavor that you will want to keep eating for hours. For western-style shawarma, try using beef or chicken. For a more traditional meal, try using lamb from our Middle Eastern grocery distributor in Indianapolis, IN.

 Greek Grocery Store Indianapolis, IN

Hummus

Traditionally used as a dip meant for fresh pita, hummus is a combo of chickpeas, garlic, and tahini, blended together until silky, smooth, and creamy. You can find hummus in just about any appetizer section of a Middle Eastern restaurant menu. That's because it's considered a staple of Middle Eastern food that can be enjoyed by itself, as a spread, or with fresh-baked pita bread. Hummus is also very healthy, making it a no-brainer purchase from our grocery store.

Benefits of Eating a Mediterranean Diet

If there's one diet that is most well-known for its health benefits, it has got to be the Mediterranean diet. In 2019, U.S. News & World Report listed the Mediterranean diet as No. 1 on its best over diet list. This incredible diet has been cited to help with weight loss, brain health, heart health, diabetes prevention, and cancer prevention.

Whether you already love Mediterranean food or you're looking to make some positive changes in your life, this "diet" is for you. Eating cuisine like Greek food, Persian food, Turkish food, and Italian food is healthy and tastes great. Even better than that? At Nazareth Wholesale Grocery, we have many staples of the Mediterranean diet for sale in bulk so that you can stock up on your favorites at the best prices around.

So, what exactly is the Mediterranean diet?

It is a way of eating that incorporates traditional Greek, Italian, and other Mediterranean cultures' foods. These foods are often plant-based and make up the foundation of the diet, along with olive oil. Fish, seafood, dairy, and poultry are also included in moderation. Red meat and sweets are only eaten in moderation, not in abundance. Mediterranean food includes many forms of nuts, fruits, vegetables, fish, seeds, and more. Of course, you can find at them all at our wholesale Mediterranean grocery store!

Here are just a few of the many benefits of eating a healthy Mediterranean diet:

Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

Reduced Risk
of Heart Disease

Many studies have been conducted on this diet, many of which report that Mediterranean food is excellent for your heart. Some of the most promising evidence comes from a randomized clinical trial published in 2013. For about five years, researchers followed 7,000 men and women around the country of Spain. These people had type 2 diabetes or were at a high risk for cardiovascular disease. Participants in the study who ate an unrestricted Mediterranean diet with nuts and extra-virgin olive oil were shown to have a 30% lower risk of heart events.

Reduced Risk of Stroke for Women

Reduced Risk
of Stroke for Women

In addition to the heart-healthy benefits of a Mediterranean diet, studies have shown that eating healthy Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods can reduce the chances of stroke in women. The study was conducted in the U.K., which included women between the ages of 40 and 77. Women who stuck to the Mediterranean diet showed a lower risk of having a stroke - especially women who were at high risk of having one.

Benefits of Eating a Mediterranean Diet

First and foremost, purchase your Mediterranean and Middle Eastern wholesale foods from Nazareth Grocery - we're always updating our inventory! Getting started on this healthy, delicious diet is easy.

Try these tips:

Try these tips

1.

Instead of unhealthy sweets like candy and ice cream, try eating fresh fruit instead. It's refreshing, tasty, and often packed with great vitamins and nutrients.

2.

Try eating fish twice a week, in lieu of red meat. Fish is much healthier and doesn't have the unfortunate side effects of red meat, like inflammation.

3.

Try planning out your meals using beans, whole grains, and veggies. Don't start with meats and sweets.

4.

They're tasty, but try to avoid processed foods completely.

5.

Instead of using butter to flavor your food, use extra virgin olive oil instead. Olive oil contains healthy fats and tastes great too.

6.

Try to get more exercise and get out of the house. The Mediterranean lifestyle is an active one, best enjoyed in the beautiful sunshine when possible.

Why Buy Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Products Wholesale?

Buying wholesale and retail are quite different. When you buy products from a wholesaler, you're essentially buying from the middleman between a retail establishment and the manufacturer. Wholesale purchases are almost always made in bulk. Because of that, buyers pay a discounted price. That's great for normal buyers and great for business owners, who can sell those products to profit. This higher price is called the retail price, and it is what traditional customers pay when they enter a retail store.

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 Middle Eastern Store Indianapolis, IN

Latest News in Indianapolis, IN

Superheroes, Legos & Unicorns: What conventions are coming to Indianapolis this summer

As one of the magnets for large-scale conferences and events, Indianapolis is a destination is many this summer whether they are looking for a family friendly getaway or an indulgence into their favorite characters and movies.Here are seven to watch out for this summer:Indiana Comic Convention — May 5-7About 40,000 enthusiasts will descend on Indianapolis this weekend for the state's largest comic book summit. From Star Trek and Star Wars to anime and manga, attendees can find a range of exhibits a...

As one of the magnets for large-scale conferences and events, Indianapolis is a destination is many this summer whether they are looking for a family friendly getaway or an indulgence into their favorite characters and movies.

Here are seven to watch out for this summer:

Indiana Comic Convention — May 5-7

About 40,000 enthusiasts will descend on Indianapolis this weekend for the state's largest comic book summit. From Star Trek and Star Wars to anime and manga, attendees can find a range of exhibits and shops to check out and celebrities and industry professionals to geek out and share photos ops.

The Indiana Convention Center will be open for guests from noon to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Details on the acts, experiences and vendors can be found on the convention's website.

Patrons can buy day or weekend passes, but tickets may be limited or sold out. Day passes are $30-40 and weekend passes are $60-295 depending on desired access level. Ticket prices go up at the door, and attendees are recommended to buy tickets ahead of time online.

Learn more here.

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Brick Fest Live — May 20-21

Those looking to gather inspiration for a new Lego build, participate in a Guinness World-Record-setting mosaic or take the family on a downtown outing will find what they're looking for in late May at the Indiana Convention Center.

The convention will feature hundreds of thousands of Lego bricks in exhibits and rare merchandise on sale. Convention details and hours are yet to be publicly announced.

Ticket prices are available online and range from $16.99 to $37.99; cost varies on the day and access. Children under age 3 are free.

Unicorn World — May 20-21

At the Indiana Convention Center that same weekend is a unicorn expo with life-sized animatronic unicorns, themed rides and bouncy castles as well as arts, crafts and face painting.

The convention will be open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 20 and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 21.

People can purchase tickets for the "family-friendly magical wonderland" on their website for $39. Children under 2 are free. Tickets must be bought in advance, and unlimited passes and gift bags are also available to purchase.

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Gen Con — Aug. 3-6

"The Best Four Days in Gaming" are going down in the Indianapolis convention center. The tabletop gaming convention continues to operate in its hybrid form this summer.

Events, celebrity appearances and other attractions have yet to be solidified and announced. The online event catalog will be live on their website on June 30.

Day or four-day passes can be bought on their website for $17-85 and $135, respectively. The variety of daily pass prices depends on the day chosen to attend. Trade day is $235. Gen Con Online is free, and registration begins Sunday.

HorrorHound Weekend — Aug. 18-20

The horror and gore expo is "returning to where it all started."

Attendees can expect to see horror celebrities, new and rare collectibles and entertainment like concerts and a costume contest. Actors from movies like "M3GAN," "Carrie" and "A Nightmare on Elm Street" will be appearing. The full event schedule has not been released.

The convention hours will be 5 to 10 p.m. Aug. 18, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 19 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 20.

Tickets are available on their website. Day passes are $25-30 and weekends are $60-80. VIP and platinum passes are sold out.

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PopCon Indy — Aug. 25-27

This convention is a pop culture, comic con fusion bringing about 15,000 to Indianapolis' streets this summer. It looks to bring people together through a shared love of "geeky-ness" for media like "Doctor Who" and "My Little Pony" to "Family Guy" and "Dragonball Z."

Housed at the Indiana Convention Center, the event is bringing in dozens of actors from several shows and genres. Attendees can find memorabilia, vendors and other activities.

Tickets are limited, but fanatics can purchase passes online for $30-40 a day or $60-150 for the weekend. Deals are also available for families, season passes and kids ages 2-10. Children under 2 are free.

Learn more here.

IndyFurCon — Aug. 24-28

The state's annual furry convention is capping off the summer at Wyndham Indianapolis West, 2544 Executive Drive. The theme is "Mission: Impawssible," but details and ticketing have not yet been announced.

Learn more here.

'I got you:' How two key Colts players will help Anthony Richardson's transition to the NFL

Adam Vinatieri was 43 years old and 20 years into his NFL career when Ryan Kelly arrived in Indianapolis as a first-round draft pick in 2016. Kelly and Vinatieri played four seasons together, with the Colts' center becoming an NFL veteran as Vinatieri played deep into his 40's.And something Vinatieri told Kelly has stuck with the three-time Pro Bowl center, who at 29 years old will be the longest-tenured member of the Colts entering the 2023 season."The best thing about this game is that as the guys get younger," Kell...

Adam Vinatieri was 43 years old and 20 years into his NFL career when Ryan Kelly arrived in Indianapolis as a first-round draft pick in 2016. Kelly and Vinatieri played four seasons together, with the Colts' center becoming an NFL veteran as Vinatieri played deep into his 40's.

And something Vinatieri told Kelly has stuck with the three-time Pro Bowl center, who at 29 years old will be the longest-tenured member of the Colts entering the 2023 season.

"The best thing about this game is that as the guys get younger," Kelly recalled Vinatieri telling him, "it keeps you more hungry, keeps you more willing and more happy to come in every day and learn something new and keeps you young."

Kelly spoke ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft about what things might look like if the Colts picked a young quarterback in the first round – "might be at different points in our lives," he said. The Colts wound up getting that young quarterback in the 20-year-old Anthony Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

"Can't even drink a beer yet," head coach Shane Steichen quipped.

But Kelly's veteran experience – 97 career starts and three Pro Bowls – will be important as Richardson acclimates to NFL defenses whenever he earns his way on the field. Richardson only started 13 games at Florida, and even the most experienced rookie quarterbacks will face well-disguised blitz packages and coverage schemes in the NFL they never saw in college.

And that'll make Kelly's relationship with Richardson unlike what he's had with veterans Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan.

"It's not going to be Andrew Luck back there who's already seen five years worth of NFL defenses, so it's a little big different," Kelly said. "And I think the college game is probably a little bit different now than when I came out. So it's all about relationships. This is a relationships business. If you can sit down with a guy and build a chemistry you're able to now see — like, I'll know the tone of his voice when he's not confidence about this. I can tell, right?

"So it's just that gamesmanship of learning who each other are, how you see the game. I'm thrilled about it. It's a new challenge, which every year is, and certainly will be something different for me that I haven't really gone through with some veteran quarterbacks in the past. It'll be exciting."

While Kelly will be in front of Richardson when he gets on the field with the Colts, the guy next to him will be similarly important.

When Steichen was the Los Angeles Chargers' offensive coordinator in 2020, a piece of advice he offered to rookie quarterback Justin Herbert: Your running back is your best friend.

"It's all about getting completions, completions, completions," Steichen said.

Herbert completed a league-high 126 passes to Chargers running backs in 2020; his 98.3 passer rating that year remains a career high.

For Richardson, then, Jonathan Taylor is in line to be his best friend in 2023. And that means more than just handing the ball off to one of the most dynamic, explosive running backs in the NFL – it means using Taylor as a safety valve on check-downs, and trusting him to pick up blitzes and keep the pocket as clean as possible.

And the message Taylor will give to Richardson: "I got you."

"No. 1, just let him know hey, we have a protection called, I'm keeping you upright," Taylor said. "Don't worry about a thing. We know the five guys up front, those guys are going to keep you upright.

"We're side by side. Look where we're at, we're side by side. That's how it is. I have your back. I'm right here with you. No matter, hey, I need you go to get this guy in the A-gap, or hey, I need you get out quick so I can dump it off to you. I'm right here by your side and that means something."

Indy animal shelter issues urgent plea for adoptions: ‘We have no more room’

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Animal Care Services is facing a grim decision. Room in the shelter is running out and if dogs aren’t adopted soon the shelter will be forced to euthanize animals to create space.“We have no more room, and there are more dogs that need our help,” said IACS Deputy Director Katie Trennepohl.Trennepohl said the animal shelter has been taking in 45 animals per day on average and is currently unable to schedule any new surrenders for at least six weeks. ...

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Animal Care Services is facing a grim decision. Room in the shelter is running out and if dogs aren’t adopted soon the shelter will be forced to euthanize animals to create space.

“We have no more room, and there are more dogs that need our help,” said IACS Deputy Director Katie Trennepohl.

Trennepohl said the animal shelter has been taking in 45 animals per day on average and is currently unable to schedule any new surrenders for at least six weeks.

These animals being taken to the shelter don’t include animals brought in by the animal control officers, according to Trennepohl.

“If the dogs we currently have aren’t adopted, we will be forced to euthanize for space,” she warned.

IACS is also dealing with dozens of lost pets being brought in and dropped off. Roxie Randall with IACS said warmer weather tends to lead to more pets getting out.

“Those dogs are certainly going to find those holes or weak spots in the fences or maybe they found out this year they can jump the fence so they’re just getting loose,” Randall said.

For folks who think they can no longer afford their pets, Randall recommends the Indy Care Program to help keep families together.

“They can help with some vet bills, they can help with some training, they can also do things as simple as a month or two worth of food or some flea medicine or vaccines,” Randall said.

IACS currently has more than 130 animals available for adoption who are suitable for a variety of homes. IACS also offers a trial adoption program called “Cuddle Before You Commit” which allows people to foster an animal for 14 days.

Walk up adoptions are available at IACS Fridays through Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

All adoptable animals can be found here with pre-adoption questionnaire available on their website.

IACS is located at 2600 S. Harding Street.

Those unable to adopt are asked to help but spreading word on social media and by posting lost animals on Indy Lost Pet Alert instead of bringing them into the crowded shelter.

Speed cameras coming to some Indiana work zones by mid-2024

INDIANAPOLIS – Speed cameras will be installed in some Indiana work zones by mid-2024 under a new state law.Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed House Enrolled Act 1015 into law. The legislation creates a pilot program to allow speed cameras in up to four Indiana work zones at a time.“...

INDIANAPOLIS – Speed cameras will be installed in some Indiana work zones by mid-2024 under a new state law.

Gov. Eric Holcomb has signed House Enrolled Act 1015 into law. The legislation creates a pilot program to allow speed cameras in up to four Indiana work zones at a time.

“We’d like to see it in place potentially later this construction season,” said Natalie Garrett, strategic communications director for the Indiana Department of Transportation. “However, that full deployment could push to next year.”

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, speed cameras are currently up and running in 18 states and the District of Columbia.

The locations for Indiana’s speed cameras will be chosen by INDOT, Garrett said.

“We’ll look at which ones will be most impactful related to the purpose of the law, which is to lower speeds through work zones,” Garrett said.

The cameras will take pictures of license plates on cars or trucks exceeding the speed limit by at least 11 miles per hour. A ticket would then be mailed to the address on the vehicle registration.

For the first violation, drivers will only receive a warning. The second offense results in a $75 fine, and additional violations will each cost $150.

“Other states, Pennsylvania in particular, that implemented with a warning ticket first [have] seen a reduction in the people that would recommit,” said State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie), who pushed for the legislation for several years.

Under the law, if the vehicle owner wasn’t behind the wheel at the time of the violation, that person can have the ticket sent to the actual driver.

“We do the same thing for tolling,” Pressel said. “We do the same thing for parking tickets.”

People who work in road construction say they’re optimistic the program will get drivers to slow down.

“We told the governor when he signed that bill that with that stroke of a pen, we guarantee you that he saved lives,” said Richard Hedgecock, president of Indiana Constructors, Inc., which represents 200 construction companies statewide.

The law does not allow speed cameras outside of highway work zones nor does it allow red light cameras to be installed.

Indianapolis Colts players react to new franchise QB

Quenton Nelson, Grover Stewart, and Kenny Moore II had raving reviews about new franchise quarterback Anthony Richardson.INDIANAPOLIS — Fresh off drafting 12 players in last week's NFL draft, the most ever for the franchise in...

Quenton Nelson, Grover Stewart, and Kenny Moore II had raving reviews about new franchise quarterback Anthony Richardson.

INDIANAPOLIS — Fresh off drafting 12 players in last week's NFL draft, the most ever for the franchise in the modern draft era, Indianapolis Colts players are getting to know the talented new faces.

Quenton Nelson, Grover Stewart, and Kenny Moore II had raving reviews about new franchise quarterback Anthony Richardson.

"I mean, that's the guy I wanted to get," Stewart said with a smile. "I was happy when we chose him. When I saw we got him, I was like, '(expletive). We're good.'"

Stewart was almost giddy on Wednesday at the Colts training facility. He's pleased with the fourth overall pick. Nelson and Moore agree, noting Richardson's athleticism is off the charts.

"Really excited. I've heard great things about his character and the person that he is. Seeing his film, you can see what he can do on the field. It's pretty extraordinary. I mean he dominated the combine and did really, really well in college football this year." Nelson said. "Game film is more important. Seeing some of the spectacular plays he made and some of the throws he made. To just go to the combine like he did and be the best ever [athletically], I would say that's pretty important. He took it that seriously and dominated it the way he did. That's a guy you want to draft is a guy who wants to be the best and does the best."

"It's great to have a dual [threat] quarterback on the team now. Obviously earning his role and seeing him flourish...I'm happy for him and I can't wait to see him play," Moore continued. "Playing a dual [threat] quarterback is sometimes extremely hard because, yes, he can pass, but he can definitely run. When he runs, you have to tackle. Especially this guy we just got. You have to try and get him to the ground."

At 6'4" and 244 pounds, Richardson certainly won't be easy to bring down. His size and speed make defending him difficult – almost as difficult as being 20 years old and the new face of an NFL franchise.

"You're coming in and know you have a big role to fill. That's really going to build his character and see what type of guy he really is," Stewart explained, "A young guy like that I believe he can do it. He seems like a great guy. We'll be behind him, and he'll be behind us."

One thing is for sure. These players are excited for a young quarterback to finally build around, especially after the QB carousel the past four seasons.

"When you're changing quarterbacks, it's kind of hard because you don't know what kind of leader or person they'll be or if the guys will like him. With a younger guy, we can mold that guy, have people come up with him, and have people bond with him," Stewart said, "It's just like a fresh start. Having a young guy come in and be here for a long time. It's just something new."

"Bouncing from quarterback to quarterback, it will be nice to be able to build something for years to come," Nelson concluded.

Rookie minicamp on West 56th Street will certainly see all eyes focused on Anthony Richardson.

13Sports will check in with the new faces with the Colts on Friday and bring you the very latest.

Indianapolis Animal Care Services has no open spaces

IACS said they will be forced to euthanize if dogs do not get adopted soon, and they are taking in about 45 dogs every day.INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Animal Care Services is beyond capacity with no open spaces to house incoming animals, the organization said Wednesday.“If the dogs we currently have aren’t adopted, we will be forced to euthanize for space,” IACS Deputy Director Katie Trennepohl said. “We ...

IACS said they will be forced to euthanize if dogs do not get adopted soon, and they are taking in about 45 dogs every day.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Animal Care Services is beyond capacity with no open spaces to house incoming animals, the organization said Wednesday.

“If the dogs we currently have aren’t adopted, we will be forced to euthanize for space,” IACS Deputy Director Katie Trennepohl said. “We have no more room, and there are more dogs that need our help.”

The shelter is currently unable to schedule any new surrender appointments for another six weeks.

On average, they are being asked to take in 45 animals per day. This is in addition to the animals Animal Control Officers bringing in animals 24/7.

Adoptable animals have received age-appropriate vaccines and microchips, and many animals are spayed or neutered and can go home the same day. Those that are not already spayed or neutered will be available to go home immediately after their surgery. IACS is open for walk-up adoptions Fridays – Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Anyone considering adoption should submit the pre-adoption questionnaire and visit the shelter at 2600 S. Harding St. to speak with the adoption staff.

The pre-adoption questionnaire and all adoptable animals can be found on the IACS website. People do not need to wait for a response to the questionnaire before coming in to meet with adoptable animals.

Around 130 animals are currently available for adoption. IACS said the adoption staff can provide recommendations for a pet that matches your lifestyle.

They also offer a trial adoption under our Cuddle Before You Commit program. This program allows you to foster an animal for 14 days, and if everything works out, they can process the adoption, so the pet is officially yours on day 15.

WNBA roster tracker: Fever waive former college star Rennia Davis

The 2023 WNBA season is almost upon us, and as teams narrow down their rosters, Just Women’s Sports will be tracking who’s in and who’s out.The Indiana Fever waived former first-round draft pick Rennia Davis on Wednesday, three days into WNBA training camp.Davis, a four-year starter at Tennessee, was the ninth overall pick of the Minnesota Lynx in the 2021 WNBA draft. She missed her entire rookie season after undergoing surgery to repair a stress fracture in her left foot.In 2022, the Lynx waiv...

The 2023 WNBA season is almost upon us, and as teams narrow down their rosters, Just Women’s Sports will be tracking who’s in and who’s out.

The Indiana Fever waived former first-round draft pick Rennia Davis on Wednesday, three days into WNBA training camp.

Davis, a four-year starter at Tennessee, was the ninth overall pick of the Minnesota Lynx in the 2021 WNBA draft. She missed her entire rookie season after undergoing surgery to repair a stress fracture in her left foot.

In 2022, the Lynx waived Davis from their training camp roster after she recorded a double-double in their second preseason game. Davis returned to the Lynx on a hardship contract and played in one game before she was again released on May 12. The 6-foot-2 guard/forward signed with Indiana on July 15 and played in seven games to close out the season, averaging 5.7 minutes per game.

On Wednesday, the Sun waived Kiara Smith, Khaalia Hillsman and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan.

Herbert Harrigan is a former South Carolina standout who was drafted sixth overall in the 2020 WNBA draft by the Minnesota Lynx. After one season in Minnesota, she spent the 2021 season with the Seattle Storm. Since 2022, she’s been a member of the WBBL’s London Lions.

Smith, meanwhile, was drafted 36th overall by the Sun in 2022, but sat out last season due to injury.

One day after WNBA training camp began, the Washington Mystics have signed Emily Engstler. The deal comes just five days after the Fever released the former No. 4 overall pick from the 2022 draft.

Engstler averaged 5.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 blocks per game, scoring in double figures four times. Her 181 total rebounds for the season were the fifth-most recorded by a Fever rookie in franchise history. The Louisville grad also joined Destanni Henderson and Victoria Vivians as the only players in franchise history to play more than 34 games in a regular season.

The Sun signed former Georgia Bulldog leading scorer Diamond Battles to a rookie-scale contract on Sunday. At the same time, they waived Lasha Petree.

Petree is a former Purdue Boilermaker who also played at Rutgers and Bradley. She averaged 13.9 points per game in her college career.

With three days until WNBA training camps open, the Phoenix Mercury waived former 11th overall pick Sydney Wiese.

Drafted in 2017 by the Los Angeles Sparks, Wiese played three seasons in L.A. before she was traded to the Washington Mystics in 2021. In four seasons with the Sparks, she averaged 3.9 points and 1.1 rebounds, including a career-high 6.8 points and 1.7 rebounds per game in 2020.

Wiese played one season in Washington, suffering a knee injury last March. Phoenix signed the guard to a training camp contract in February.

Also on Thursday, the Connecticut Sun signed Lasha Petree to a rookie scale contract. The guard led Purdue in scoring this past season with 14.7 points per game on 42.7 percent shooting from the field.

The Indiana Fever released second-year forward Emily Engstler on Wednesday. The fourth overall pick in the 2022 WNBA draft, she played 35 games as a rookie for the Fever last season, starting in six of them.

Engstler’s 40 blocked shots in 2022 were tied for the team high and were four shy of tying Tamika Catchings’ rookie franchise record.

This marks the third consecutive season in which the Fever have waived a top draft pick. The team waived 2021 No. 4 pick Kysre Gondrezick last season and 2020 No. 3 pick Lauren Cox in the previous season.

Elizabeth Balogun is on the market after being waived by the Las Vegas Aces.

Balogun had inked a training camp contract with the Aces after going undrafted out of Duke. A 2023 Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Preseason and Midseason Top-10 watch list candidate, she played in all 33 games, starting in 27 of them, for the Blue Devils during the 2022-23 season.

Through two seasons with Duke, Balogun averaged 9.3 points and 4.8 rebounds. Last season she was second on the team in scoring (10.2 points) and led the team in rebounding (5.2 rebounds).

She also was a member of the Nigerian Olympic Team at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

Even though Ndour-Fall signed a one-year contract with the Sky in February, the Spanish national team center is opting out of the 2023 WNBA season. Ndour-Fall’s Italian season and the report date to Chicago factored into the decision, as did her international schedule this summer, the Chicago Sun-Times’ Annie Costabile reported.

This year’s FIBA EuroBasket tournament is set to take place from June 15-25, right in the middle of the WNBA season. Her absence is likely a result of the new prioritization clause that is being implemented starting this season.

Without Ndour-Fall, the team’s roster includes Marina Mabrey, Isabelle Harrison and Kahleah Copper as veterans.

Indy animal shelters overcrowded, offer free pet adoptions during May event

If you're looking for a new friend named "Lasagna," "Sir Cornelius" or "N...

If you're looking for a new friend named "Lasagna," "Sir Cornelius" or "Notorious D.O.G," a local animal shelter event will help you connect.

Two Indianapolis animal shelters, IndyHumane and Indianapolis Animal Care Services, are offering free adoptions to entice potential pet owners to take home a new animal as shelters hit crisis levels of overcrowding.

The price cuts are part of the national BISSELL Pet Foundation's "Empty the Shelters” event, a national grant-funded initiative to move pets out of shelters into loving homes. The foundation can provide funding twice a year to participating shelters that apply.

The details:What you should know about Indianapolis Animal Care Services adoption, surrenders and more

IndyHumane is waiving adoption fees through May 15 for adult cat and dog adoptions. Indianapolis Animal Care Services is continuing its free adoptions for all 130 adoptable animals until further notice.

Available pets can be found on the IndyHumane and Indianapolis Animal Care Services websites.

To check out the other 14 Hoosier shelters offering pet adoption deals, pet lovers can head to the BISSELL Pet Foundation website.

After staffing and kennel shortage issues, Indianapolis Animal Care Services only intakes animals in emergency situations, noting all animals are at risk to be euthanized. In a Wednesday news release, the shelter said are asked to take in 45 animals a day and have a 6-week wait for eligible surrender appointments.

"Emergency" conditions:Indy's animal shelter faces 'dire' overcrowding. How to help even if you don't adopt.

How to adopt

According to its Facebook, IndyHumane is appointment only. Patrons can fill out an adoption application online.

IndyHumane, 7929 N. Michigan Road, is open from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The shelter is closed on Mondays.

'Drowning in a sea of canine companions'Humane Society for Hamilton County needs your help

Interested pet owners can drop into Indianapolis Animal Care Services at 2600 S. Harding St. or expedite their trip by filling out an adoption application online for a specific animal.

The shelter has walk-up adoptions daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday through Sunday. On Thursdays, they are open an extra hour, closing at 6:30 p.m.

Kenny Moore II’s unfinished business: graduate, bounce-back season

INDIANAPOLIS – There’s unfinished business for Kenny Moore II.Now and later.Saturday, the Indianapolis Colts’ veteran cornerback will walk across the stage for graduation ceremonies at Valdosta State (Ga.) University.“It’s been a journey getting to this point,’’ Moore said Wednesday afternoon, his emotion/pride evident, “but I knew how important it was for those around me to get my degree and it meant a lot to myself individually to definitely walk across that stage.’...

INDIANAPOLIS – There’s unfinished business for Kenny Moore II.

Now and later.

Saturday, the Indianapolis Colts’ veteran cornerback will walk across the stage for graduation ceremonies at Valdosta State (Ga.) University.

“It’s been a journey getting to this point,’’ Moore said Wednesday afternoon, his emotion/pride evident, “but I knew how important it was for those around me to get my degree and it meant a lot to myself individually to definitely walk across that stage.’’

He put pursuit of a degree on hold in 2016 to focus on an NFL dream that initially began as an undrafted rookie with New England and has blossomed as a defensive cornerstone with the Colts. When he left Valdosta State, Moore still was roughly a year and a half short of earning his degree.

But there never was a doubt he would finish what he started. He switched majors to Organizational Leadership and pecked away at the requirements with online classes during several offseasons.

“I’ve never been so excited to graduate from anything,’’ Moore said with a laugh, “until this weekend.

“I’m just ready to see my mom’s face, honestly.’’

Moore clearly has his life priorities in order. He’s heading into his seventh season, but the NFL never was going to be a final destination. It’s the means to something else.

“(The NFL) is a short stint to my life,’’ he said. “Someday whenever I hang the cleats up, there’s more that I want to tag my name to.

“There’s more that I want to represent.’’

And that brings us to the other bit of unfinished business.

Moore is coming off a frustrating and disappointing 2022.

Collectively, the Colts finished 4-12-1, endured a couple of historic collapses and dealt with the firing of Frank Reich and the hiring of Shane Steichen.

Individually, Moore struggled to find the type of role and success in Gus Bradley’s defensive scheme that he had with previous coordinator Matt Eberflus. As the season wound down, his frustrations bubbled to the surface. The 2021 Pro Bowl selection failed to generate an interception for the first time in six seasons and missed the final five games with an ankle injury.

“Coaching and playing works together,’’ Moore said in early January. “We just didn’t click. We didn’t click.

“I wasn’t able to give them exactly what they wanted, first and foremost. I didn’t give myself what I wanted. It was tough.’’

With the Colts in obvious transition mode – from Reich to Steichen – various personnel moves were considered internally.

General manager Chris Ballard granted cornerback Stephon Gilmore’s request to be traded, and considered trade interest in Moore and center Ryan Kelly. Gilmore was sent to Dallas for a fifth-round draft pick, but Moore and Kelly remain part of the Colts’ rebuild effort.

“They’re good football players,’’ Ballard said at the owners’ meetings. “When you’ve got a good football player that’s a great person and a good fit, it makes it hard to move away from those guys.’’

It’s clearly meaningful for Moore to have a bounce-back opportunity with the Colts rather than re-starting his career elsewhere.

“It was important to me,’’ he said. “Indianapolis holds a special place in my heart. I feel at home. I feel as if I have a special family in Indianapolis.

“I would definitely love to make everything right here in Indianapolis.’’

Moore was asked if there were times he wondered if that would be the case.

“I think you all can answer that,’’ he said with a smile.

Yes, there was a point a career relocation entered his mind.

“I think in this business anything is possible,’’ Moore said. “The way that I was raised in South Georgia, you work for everything. You’re entitled to nothing. Whether it’s your best season or worst season, you’re not entitled to any seat in any building.

“It’s the same mindset I had whenever I was in New England trying to make a roster (or) the first day I got here . . . Sept. 3, 2017. I just want to keep working and being me. Just be better for this organization.’’

Meetings with Bradley and Ballard following last season were critical in giving Moore perspective on his place with the organization.

“I’m feeling great,’’ he said. “A lot of communication went and took place for me to be in this seat right now. I’m very grateful for everything that took place after the season to obviously be here.’’

Moore described those meetings as “tough talks.’’

“It was something that was very important to me . . . ‘Let’s go back through everything and see where everything went wrong,’’’ he said. “We did that and I like where we’re at right now.

“Just to be able to look each other in the face and just say, ‘I’m thankful. I appreciate you. Let’s keep it going.’ I’m feeling great, happy. I’m restored. I’m ready to go.’’

As it turns out, Moore will look for a bounce-back season in his contract season. He’s in the final year of a four-year, $33 million extension.

“My mentality is embracing the process – working, working, working – with no entitlement,’’ Moore said. “Of course I want to be here. Definitely want to be here.’’

You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.

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