Winter recap and looking ahead
We've thoroughly enjoyed bringing you our farm-grown produce in a variety of forms in what some would call the off-season, and you've helped us realize that "if we build it, they will come." We're planning ahead even more this year for an enhanced Winter share next year, including more storage crops (cabbage, beets, rutabaga), more frozen items (squash, peppers, broccoli), and a variety of dried herbs.
Through this offering, Chris is on the path to realizing his goal of providing local, organic food year-round to the most Chicago area people possible. This is no small goal for a farm with less than 12 acres in production, but is made feasible by the strategic use of lots of hoop houses, the processing kitchen now being pressed into service for pureeing/blanching and freezing, and a large heated greenhouse that can aid the sun in drying herbs.
The addition of a la carte availability of our farm-raised chickens, our jars, and a few other staples from trusted, local sources put you on the path to being able to create meals that are heavily reliant on locally grown and produced foods. We hope you'll fill the gaps when it's feasible from your local farmers market or food co-op*. Local foods is a win-win-win for your health, your farmers, and your local economy.
We hope you'll visit our expanded Recipes & More tab on our website. Though it's still a work in progress, Sean and Sheila have been adding to it daily to make it a genuine resource for using all of our produce in your kitchen. Also avail yourselves of the seasonal cookbooks we have available in our store.
-- Robin
* Did you know that there are several new co-op grocery stores in formation? From Oak Park to Elgin, Lombard to the North Side of Chicago, several new cooperatives are joining the Dill Pickle Food Co-op and Green Grocer Chicago (ok, not a co-op, but the best little local food store for miles) to provide full-service offerings of healthy, locally-sourced foods and other household products. Most are membership-based and will only come to be with your upfront support, so check them out on our Stuff We Love page.
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