Root, Root, Root
Thanks to the rise of season-extension growing (in hoop houses and hothouses), and the fact that our region is fertile ground for storable root vegetables, there really is no longer a defined “growing season.” Sure, we miss the bounty of veggies and fruits available during the peak summer season, but man, you can get beautiful locally produced food year-round.
Above is my haul from today’s (December 9) Green City Indoor Market. From right, white mushrooms from River Valley Ranch (Burlington, Wisconsin); carrots from Tomato Mountain (Brooklyn, Wisconsin); acorn squash from Smits Farms (Chicago Heights, Illinois); a great big butternut squash, Red Norland new potatoes, and onions from Nichols Farm and Orchard (Marengo, Illinois); brussels sprouts from Wholesome Harvest (Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin); and a tofu dip and teriyaki tofu salad from Phoenix Bean Tofu (Chicago).
Stay tuned for some photos of the Green City scene below, but first some more news from our awesome Good Food non-profits.
Slow Food Weekend Member Drive: Name Your Price
Slow Food USA does great work encouraging people across the nation to eat more locally and sustainably produced food while pursuing good, clean, fair food for all. And this weekend only, they are holding a promotion in which you can adjust the price of an annual membership (normally $60) to best suit your budget.
Click here to become a member and learn more about the benefits of membership.
If you’re not familiar with the organization, here’s a short explainer:
Started as a protest against fast food and oppressive food systems in Italy in the 1980s, Slow Food is a million-member movement of food activists around the world. Here in the US, we are uniting the joy of food with the pursuit of justice and dismantling oppressive food systems to achieve good, clean and fair food for all.
Slow Food USA cultivates nationwide programs and a network of local chapters, hosts educational events and advocacy campaigns, and builds solidarity through partnerships.
Slow Food’s Ark of Taste celebrates some of the most important food items and techniques from around the world. Learn more about the incredible diversity of food here in the US, and how you can save it from extinction.
Next Saturday: Farmers Rising’s Solstice on the Farm
We had the pleasure, in Thursday’s issue of Local Food Forum, of sharing the news that Angelic Organics Learning Center — a longtime pillar of our local food and farmer training community — has undertaken a major rebranding and is now Farmers Rising.
Today we’re pleased to share word of their groovy-sounding Solstice on the Farm event to be held next Saturday (December 16) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Lodge on the organization’s headquarters in Caledonia, Illinois. As the graphic above explains, there will be Luminary Trail Walks, an Advent Spiral, a Fire Circle, Candlelit Labyrinth Meditation, Farm Crafts for Kids, Fire Spinning, and a Drum Circle.
There will be music and hot drinks. Bring your own mug (and you can bring your own beverages too). The event is free — donations are welcome — and registration is required.
OK, friends, we’re going to wrap this up. Tomorrow, December 10, is my 20th anniversary as a cancer survivor (measured from the surgery that saved my life). To mark the occasion, we’ve been running a campaign for new paid subscriptions (truly a value at $5/month and $50/year), with 20 percent of proceeds set aside that I will donate to Lurie Children’s Hospital for pediatric cancer care.
Thanks to all who have participated so far, as the total to fight cancer in kids is more than $150. But… I’d just love to make it $200, and we only need five more paid subscriptions to do it. Would you, please?
It might be timely to add that we are redesigning the complementary Local Food Forum website (it involves a complicated Search Engine Optimization issue). And when we announce the rollout in January, we’ll also be announcing an expanded menu of programming — including enhanced benefits for being a paid subscriber.
Holiday season cheers to you all.
Saturday’s Green City Market Scene
Here is the building to look for, at 3031 N. Rockwell St. in the Avondale neighborhood, when you plan to visit a Saturday Green City Indoor Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Note that if you want to go to pick up delicious stuff for a Christmas dinner, make sure to attend the market next Saturday (December 16). They are taking off the final two weekends of the year for the holidays, and then will be back weekly starting January 6 through the end of March.
Bob’s World, and Welcome to It
Green City’s winter market in Avondale is located adjacent to the North Branch of the Chicago River. Here’s a different perspective on Chicago’s skyline, located about 5-1/2 miles away.
I've challenged myself to cook seasonally ever since moving to Wisconsin, Bob, and it's really rewarding. Amazing how much variety can be made from what feels at first like a limited selection! Using soup recipes rather than just bunging whatever in the pot really helps with making each batch distinctive. I also spend less time and money at the store.