Unless you can get a lot better figs in Indiana than you can in Ohio, I'd pass. It's just like anything else. You know what happens if you buy blueberries from South America in December. They're mushy and tasteless and a huge disappointment when you know what they're supposed to taste like. It's the same thing with figs. Most likely with dates, too, though I don't know what a "real" fresh date tastes like.

Maybe you're lucky and can find a local grower at your farmer's market. There are actually a few fig varieties that can be grown in our climate, with some extra care in the winter time, but it's way too much work to grow them commercially in any quantity.