Grumpy Rabbit?
This bunny looks a bit bummed that it’s not warm out yet. Or maybe it’s just damn tired of the nature paparazzo.
Who’s Thirsty?
Folks… a reminder that we’re hoping to hold another Beer Meetup on Saturday afternoon, April 15, at Uncommon Ground Lakeview and its organic Greenstar Brewery. I’d love to get some more RSVPs, though, because I have to let the nice folks at Uncommon Ground know if we have a quorum.
The event will include a tour of the Greenstar brewhouse led by head brewer Brandon Stern, plus delicious craft beer of course.
If you are planning to join in or leaning in that direction, please reply to this newsletter or email me at bob@localfoodforum.com.
99 Counties’ Meat Featured at 4/16 Farm Dinner
I’m excited about attending the first farm dinner being staged in Chicago by 99 Counties, a company that aggregates regeneratively produced meat from farmers for home delivery throughout Chicagoland as well as its home base of Iowa.
The event takes place on Sunday, April 16, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Guild Row, 3130 N. Rockwell St. in the Avondale neighborhood. If you’ve been to Green City’s indoor winter market, Guild Row is just a couple of blocks north on Rockwell.
The menu of the four-course meal is curated by Chicago’s Brasserie by C&C, and it sounds delicious.
I am an omnivore, and sustainability and animal welfare are high priorities for me when purchasing meat. I have long purchased meat from vendors at our local farmers markets and will continue to do so, of course. But having a source for home delivery of regeneratively produced meat attracted me to subscribe to 99 Counties.
Subscriptions are $99 a year, a sum that almost assuredly will be offset by member discounts on each food item. Orders of $75 or more are delivered for free.
The company’s name is Iowa-centric — the state has 99 counties — but the company is reaching out to farmers in other states.
For instance, the company has combined forces with Wisconsin’s Avrom Farm, which is familiar to many Chicago shoppers at Green City Market and Wicker Park Farmers Market; Hayden Holbert, owner of Avrom Farm, now also works with 99 Counties as its Manager of Customer Experience & Business Development. And the eggs I’ve purchased from 99 Counties come from my friends at Finn’s Ranch in Buchanan, Michigan.
Here’s a link to get tickets for the dinner. Hope to see you there. I’ll be the old guy taking photos.