Celebrating Earth Day is a Walk in the Park
We have suggestions for marking the occasion... but it's as simple as going outside
Happy Earth Day
Today is Earth Day. There are so many ways to mark the occasion, and scroll down to find a few of them.
But it’s sunny, the temperature is supposed to rise to the mid 60s, and so the best way to celebrate Earth Day is to simply go outside. Go for a walk, in your neighborhood, a park or by Chicago’s magnificent lakeside. Keep your eyes wide open to witness the miracle of nature’s regeneration this time of year.
And then do it again and again and again. Because for those of us who care so much about this planet and its people, Earth Day is every day.
Register Now for Our Farmers Markets Webinar
One thing you can do today that will make me personally happy is to sign up for our next Local Food Forum’s “Better” Dialogues, which takes place online a week from today (Monday, April 29) at 7 p.m. central.
The timely topic is our Outdoor Farmers Market Season Kickoff: Why You Should Go. And one of the best reasons to go is the way that farmers markets are better for the planet, from the sustainable practices of the farms that sell there to the lower carbon footprint of food produced within a short drive of the consumers who buy it.
Co-host Chef Sarah Stegner and I will kick things off with a chat about what we’ve seen in the season’s earliest markets and what to expect in May, as market openings surge and the region’s outdoor growing season hits stride. Sarah will also discuss her own role as a co-founder of Chicago’s Green City Market and the huge growth of our farmers market sector since Green City opened 25 years ago.
Heard enough? Here’s the link to register:
We have an amazing lineup of guest experts again:
The Farmers Market webinar is Episode 2 of “Better” Dialogues, and we will expand on the theme of regenerative agriculture that was the topic of Episode 1. Kyle Jacobson of Illinois’ Jacobson Family Farms is innovating in raising produce and livestock while restoring pastureland to native vegetation. You’ll be amazed at the work that Kyle and his team are doing.
Today, most farmers markets address the need for greater food access by accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and many participate or have started programs that double or even triple the value of those benefits. Joining us to discuss is Matthew Ruffi, who heads up the Link Up Illinois program — run by the Experimental Station non-profit — that provides financial support for markets’ “Link Match” programs, and also organizes Chicago’s Uptown Farmers Market (in his role as president of the Chicago Market co-op grocery project).
We’ll also highlight the grass-roots efforts of Janelle St. John, executive director of Chicago’s Growing Home Inc. non-profit, to expand food access to underserved communities on the city’s South Side. Growing Home runs its own Englewood Farm Stand during the outdoor growing season, and also sells its products at Green City Market in Lincoln Park and at the 61st Street Farmers Market in the Woodlawn community (which also is run by the Experimental Station non-profit mentioned above).
Farmers markets are all about building community, and local food communities often rush to the aid of farmer vendors who face extraordinary challenges. Alex Finn of Michigan’s Finn’s Ranch will discuss not only her delicious products, but how Chicago’s local food community came to her aid after a devastating fire on her family’s farm.
Here’s that registration link again.
Experimental Station’s Food Access Achievements
Experimental Station — the non-profit located on Chicago’s South Side on the border of the Woodlawn and Hyde Park communities — has just released its 2023 Increasing Food Access Report.
The organization has a leading role in promoting access to healthy, sustainably produced local food through its management of the Link Up Illinois program, which helps increase the value of food assistance benefits by providing financial support for markets’ “Link Match” programs.
Experimental Station also presents the 61st Street Farmers Market, held each Saturday during the outdoor market season at 6100 S. Blackstone Avenue, which of course accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and has a Link Match program.
As noted earlier, Matthew Ruffi, who heads the Link Up Illinois program, is a guest panelist on our April 29 Local Food Forum webinar about the importance of farmers markets. To give you a flavor of what to expect in that conversation, here are Matthew’s comments in the Experimental Station report.
I am writing to share the exciting progress of Link Up Illinois, a program dedicated to strengthening communities and nourishing families through increased access to fresh, local food.
In 2023, we achieved a remarkable milestone: over $1.24 million in Link Match redemption across our partners’ sites. This translates into a tangible impact for countless individuals and families. Through Link Up Illinois, SNAP participants can use matching vouchers (earned dollar for dollar on their current SNAP spending) to double their purchasing power for fresh produce, making healthy choices easier and more affordable…
Experimental Station, and the whole Link Up Illinois team, are committed to this investment. We’re expanding to more farmers markets, farm stands, and CSAs every year, and in 2024 we expect to grow by 6-8 new brick and mortar locations as well (mostly in Chicago’s South and West sides), reaching under-resourced communities and bridging the gap between farmers and consumers.
This growth is fueled by the generous support of our partners, donors, and the unwavering support of people like you who share our vision of a food system that nourishes both people and the planet.
On behalf of Link Up Illinois, I extend my deepest gratitude. By raising awareness and advocating for policies that support local food production and access, we can collectively cultivate a healthier future for all Illinoisans.
The report is full of statistics underscoring the many ways in which Experimental Station’s programs increase food access. Click below to download the report and to learn more about Experimental Station.
An Earth Day Goal: Reduce Plastics Pollution
Bravo to my friends at the Basil’s Harvest non-profit, which has made reduction of plastics use and production its Earth Day 2024 theme.
With plastics pollution one of the most pressing environmental problems, Basil’s Harvest is advocating the overall goal of reducing plastics production by 60 percent by the year 2040… with a phase-out of single use plastics by 2030.
As you can see in the graphic above, Basil’s Harvest recommends three ways in which we can all help immediately:
• Sign earthday.org’s End Plastics Petition.
• Buy more bulk foods and groceries to avoid unnecessary packaging.
• Source more clothes from companies committed to sustainability and treating their workers fairly.
Get involved, and click below to learn about Basil’s Harvest and its work.
Last Call for Common Ground Earth Day Showings
Finally, a reminder that you still have time to catch the Chicago showings of Common Ground, the enlightening and entertaining documentary about regenerative agriculture.
In Chicago, there are two showings — at 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. today — at AMC River East 21, 322 E. Illinois St., Chicago. Click here to purchase tickets.
There will also be a 7:30 p.m. showing that day at the Classic Cinemas Tivoli in suburban Downers Grove; click here to purchase tickets at this location.
These showings are part of a nationwide Common Ground Earth Day celebration, with more than 75 theaters participating across the nation. I participated in Naturally Chicago’s Chicago premiere of the movie last November, and I highly recommend it.