Farmer at the Green is Already One Big Party
Plus, heads up about USDA livestock producer grants
Star Flower Power
The allium flowers, a special spring treat, are in bloom. Barb and I spotted these during our Tuesday afternoon visit to The Farmer at the Green, the recently opened farmers market in Chicago’s West Loop. More about that immediately below.
Prediction of New Market’s Potential Proved Right, Fast
Two weeks ago, I paid a visit to the opening day of a brand new farmers market, The Farmer at the Green, located at the BMO tower at 320 S. Canal St. in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. It was a gray and chilly day, with few visitors. But special features of this market — from its end-of-workday location in a busy part of the city, to options to dine (Canal St. Eatery and Market) and drink (Afterbar) right inside the BMO building, right down to the foosball and ping pong tables, prompted me to envision this as a summer hot spot.
It is easy to see the market’s potential as a warm-weather gathering spot though. With the market, the park-like setting, musicians scheduled to perform live, the restaurant and bar patios beckoning people to linger, and a commuter-friendly location so near Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center — not to mention those foosball and ping pong tables — I’ll venture a prediction that The Farmer at the Green will emerge as a lively scene.
So Barb and I paid a visit yesterday (May 16), and that prediction turned out to be right, and much earlier than I expected. With much more spring-like temperatures as an inducement, a park full of people showed up to shop, eat and lounge. The restaurant and bar had their patio tables out; a live band entertained; and jenga and cornhole games had been added to the game lineup.
It’s kind of like a combination farmers market and the best college bar ever.
What it isn’t, at least yet, is a market with tons of fresh local produce, though it is still early in the season and there still isn’t much seasonal produce besides asparagus, spring onions and rhubarb that is widely available. But there sure is a lot to eat, not even including the restaurant, with Mexican, Polish and plant-based empanada stands, excellent baked goods and sweet treats.
I plan on hitting the Uptown and Andersonville Farmers Markets today and will make a bigger food haul, but I’m sure I’ll be back at The Farmer on the Green often to pick up a few things and unwind at the end of a busy Tuesday.
USDA Grants to Improve Livestock Processing Access
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for two new grant opportunities: the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant (IAG) program and the Local Meat Capacity Grant (Local MCap) program. Both programs focus on expanding or enhancing animal protein harvesting and processing capacity. These grant opportunities will remain open for applications through July 19, 2023.
The Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant (IAG) program will award up to $50 million dollars for federally recognized Tribes to expand or enhance indigenous animals and meat protein processing capacity. Grant applications will demonstrate the ability to improve slaughter and processing capacity, packaging, and distribution to create more resilient, diverse, and secure indigenous food systems.
The Local Meat Capacity Grant (Local MCap) program will award up to $75 million dollars to provide more and better processing options for local livestock and poultry producers by modernizing, increasing, diversifying, and decentralizing meat and poultry processing capacity, including support for rendering. The program has two project types: Processing Expansion Projects for facility upgrades that create new and/or expand markets for local livestock and poultry producers, and Simplified Equipment-Only Projects to fund smaller grants for equipment purchases for meat and poultry processors.
USDA also provides a range of technical assistance (TA) to support project development and success for those participating in USDA’s Meat and Poultry Supply Chain initiatives. The Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity- Technical Assistance Program (MPPTA) funds a nationwide network of support focusing on four key areas: Federal Grant Application Management, Business Development and Financial Planning, Meat and Poultry Processing Technical and Operation Support, and Supply Chain Development. Visit the MPPTA webpage to learn more about this resource.