Get a Sneak Peek at a New Co-op on 2/24
Wild Onion Market, currently in build-out in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, is one of a significant clutch of Illinois food cooperative projects that — after years of fundraising and development — are nearing fruition.
In fact, the leaders of Wild Onion Market feel their store is far enough along to invite the public in for a Preview Party, which will take place on Saturday, February 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The store’s location is 7007 N. Clark St.
The party is intended to whet visitors’ appetites for a market that will be focused on products that are locally and sustainably produced. Wild Onion is still recruiting new owner-members in order to meet the budget needed to open the store’s doors.
Here are the details about the event from Wild Onion Market. I’ve RSVP’d to check it out myself. Local Food Forum will keep you post on developments at this market and three others that are in their final stages of planning: Food Shed Co-op in Woodstock, Illinois; Prairie Food Co-op Community Grocery in Lombard in Chicago’s western suburbs; and Chicago Market in the city’s Uptown neighborhood.
———————————
Just a few months from opening for business, the Wild Onion Market grocery co-op invites the public to a Preview Party on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Wild Onion Market is at 7007 N. Clark in Chicago. The locally owned grocery will serve communities in the Rogers Park area and in Evanston.
The Preview Party is a free event open to all. Due to limited space, however, registering ahead of time is requested.
The event will feature a presentation about the co-op, tours of the store, and a chance to meet prospective local vendors. Refreshments will be provided.
The store is now fully equipped with all its shelving, refrigeration units and cashier counters in place. It also features distinctive touches, like a mural from world-renowned muralist Ryan Tova Katz.
When it opens later this spring, the full-service grocery will offer a coffee shop, bulk foods, fresh local produce, prepared foods and more.
As a cooperative grocery, Wild Onion Market is literally owned by local people — 1,838 so far — who have each invested $250 to become owners. Wild Onion Market would like to have 2,000 or more owners onboard before the store opens.
Prairie Fruits Farm Gets New Owner, Same Values
The married couple of Leslie Cooperband and Wes Jarrell have owned Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery in Champaign, Illinois for 20 years, gaining legendary status for their exquisite artisan goat’s milk cheeses, their humane treatment of their pasture-raised animals, and their commitment to sustainability.
So when Wes and Leslie announced several months ago that they’d be selling Prairie Fruits and taking a well-earned retirement from farming, there was some concern in the community. Any worries were alleviated last week when the news broke that the couple has sold the farm, its animals and all of its assets to the owners of the Martinelli’s Market restaurants in Champaign and Bloomington.
Martinelli’s is well known for featuring locally sourced ingredients in the food it serves. An article in Smile Politely, Champaign-Urbana’s culture magazine, said that Martinelli’s owners “plan to continue the creamery’s award-winning cheese production and hope to offer on-site farm-to-table dining.”
Congratulations to Leslie and Wes and to the new owners.
Bob’s World, and Welcome to It
Saturday evening sky show.