In This Issue:
• Support Your Local Food Non-Profits
• Green City Market COVID-19 Farmer Relief Fund
• FamilyFarmed Pays Tribute to… Me?
• Growing Home Benefit Early Bird Deadline
• Angelic Organics Learning Center Walking Tours
• Illinois Stewardship Alliance Week of Action
Support Your Local Food Non-Profits
Our local food community benefits in so many ways from the work of non-profit organizations. I know this first person, having just wrapped up nearly seven years with FamilyFarmed, a Chicago non-profit that has been a longtime catalyst for growth in the region’s Good Food sector.
At least once each week, Local Food Forum will feature programs and events from our great non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Just a heads up, the second item here is all about me. Literally.
— Bob
Green City Market COVID-19 Farmer Relief Fund
Green City Market (GCM), a leader in Chicago’s local food movement, has launched a COVID-19 Farmer Relief Fund to help producers who were negatively affected by the economic downturn and uncertainties caused by the pandemic. GCM is seeking your donations and a donation match is in effect through April 30. Click the button below for more information and to contribute.
FamilyFarmed Pays Tribute to… Me?
There may be no better indication that you left a previous job on good terms than when they throw you a virtual going-away party — and through the miracles of modern technology invite the world. If circumstances have kept us apart for a while or if by chance we’ve never been in the same room together, please register for the FamilyFarmed-produced event on Thursday (April 15) at 5:30 p.m. and you can see me and my marvelous flowing COVID hair.
The event is free to all, and is very mixology-focused (which may be a bigger inducement to attend than me). Attendees can choose to purchase a cocktail kit featuring the “Bob’s Bourbon Sunrise” specialty cocktail (I’m kind of a brown liquor guy) from Chicago’s pioneering Koval Distillery and Twisted Alchemy, a local company that makes delicious mixers with cold-pressed juices. Host Jim Slama will be joined by Koval CEO Sonat Birnecker Hart and Kim and Scott Holstein of Twisted Alchemy in a toast.
They also urge everyone to consider subscribing to Local Food Forum. Who am I to disagree?
Growing Home Benefit Early Bird Deadline
Growing Home Inc., based in West Englewood on Chicago’s South Side, is a remarkable organization that produces tons of organic produce on a little more than one acre each year while providing jobs, training and placement for ex-offenders and others with employability challenges. They are holding their 19th Annual Benefit on Thursday, May 6 from 6:00-7:00 p.m., and their Early Bird registration deadline is Thursday (April 15). Click below for more information.
Angelic Organics Learning Center Walking Tours
The Angelic Organics Learning Center is a farmer training organization in Caledonia, Illinois — about 80 miles northwest of Chicago — and they invite you to their weekly walking tours of their farm on Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m through May 26. Click below for more information.
Illinois Stewardship Alliance Week of Action
And a reminder… Illinois Stewardship Alliance (ISA) is a nonprofit that promotes the interests of local farmers and is the foremost representative of our local food community to the state legislature in Springfield. Because we are still dealing with COVID constraints, ISA has moved its legislative Week of Action to online from April 19 through 22.
According to ISA’s website, “Throughout the week, we’ll provide you with easy opportunities to learn about the issues, take action, and join forces with farmers and food lovers in your community and throughout the state.”
The event supports the legislation on ISA’s 2021 Policy Agenda, which aims to grow the number of farmers and local food businesses in Illinois, revitalize our communities, protect our soil and water, and keep food dollars local. Click below for more information.
Return of the Ramp Frittata
I finished off the ramp and mushroom frittata that I made last weekend. I had some ramps left, with more coming from Village Farmstand today. So when life gives you ramps, you make another ramp frittata.
Have some great breakfast ideas (preferably using local ingredients)? Please share them in the comments. And have a great weekend!