Good Food for All

Legislative Update

Just a few legislative items from recent weeks. As always, this was cross-posted on ChicagoREgen.

• Illinois Lt. Governor Sheila Simon unveiled on May 18 the Governor's revamped Rural Affairs Council, with a mission and membership that focuses on developing markets for local foods, improving emergency services in rural areas and other emerging rural issues.  http://tristate-media.com/drr/news/local_news/article_e27f1e5e-8627-11e0-aaf6-001cc4c03286.html
• The Illinois House on May 23 approved a measure that would allow farmers market vendors to prepare foods in their home kitchens on a 97-18 vote and it heads to Gov. Pat Quinn for his consideration.  http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/news/5561856-418/legislation-could-give-boost-to-farmers-markets.html

Weekly Digest

Thanks for your patience during our spring hiatus!

This week's digest is cross-posted at ChicagoRegen.com. 

• In case you missed it, Local Dirt recently launched a mobile ap with Locavore— the easiest way to find local, in-season food. Pinpoint nearby farmers’ markets & farms that sell the products you love.  Discover seasonal recipes.   http://getlocavore.com/, iTunes store: http://bit.ly/gcIAWF, Android market:   http://bit.ly/fd5XS6http://getlocavore.com/

 

• National Good Food Network offers a free webinar “Food Hubs: Viable Regional Distribution Solutions” Thursday May 19, to provide a clear illustration of the variety of hub models that exist, the outcomes they offer, and a sense of their viability. To register: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/67648535454

 

• If you haven’t played with the USDA’s Food Desert Locator yet, here’s the link to the interactive map that allows users to see where there is poor food access across the country:  http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/fooddesert/index.htm

 

• Illinois’ population center creeps closer to Chicago, which impacts food distribution networks.  http://qctimes.com/news/local/article_0384fae8-760f-11e0-8085-001cc4c002e0.html