Good Food for All

A Round Up of Summer News, Including New Illinois Legislation

Governor Quinn signs legislation to support farmers and home producers.

Chicago farmers markets offer Double Value for LINK users.

Local ice cream makers face shut down by state.

The USDA announced an online food hub resource.

USDA released its first farm to school evaluation.

Local mobile food market Fresh Moves in the national spotlight on NBC Nightly News.

HUFED awards, Urban Ag, and the 2012 Farm Bill

This update was cross-posted on ChicagoREgen

Congratulations to Black Oaks Center for Sustainable Renewable Living, Puerto Rican Cultural Center, and Gourmet Gorilla, Inc. on winning three of the 17 Healthy Urban Food Enterprise Development (HUFED) awards. Read more.

Read about Mayor Emanuel's July 26 press conference and urban agriculture ordinance here: 

The 2012 Farm Bill preliminary debate has now begun. 

 Prairie Crossing Learning Farm was recently featured on NBC 5. The program gives local teenagers the opportunity to grow on a real working organic farm.

Illinois was one of only 3 states selected to participate in the Community Eligibility Option (CEO) to assist schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.  Read about it here. 

July Digest: Backyard Rebates, National Food Day, Mayor Emanuel and More

This update was cross-posted on ChicagoREgen.

• The Chicago Department of Environment announced the 2011 Chicago Sustainable Backyard Program to promote the many ways Chicago residents can create more environmentally-friendly landscapes in their yards.  For more info about meetings and rebates on backyard purchases, click HERE.
• National Food Day is October 24. If you’re interested in planning a local event, go to www.foodday.org
• Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel met with grocery chains to resolve food deserts and plans to report progress to the White House.  http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8192924
• FamilyFarmed.org is accepting applications for two internship positions to enhance its work supporting and growing local food systems. Applications will be reviewed as they’re received, so apply soon to employment@familyfarmed.org
• According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, the number of Chicagoans living in food deserts, has decreased by 39 percent in the last five years. HERE

Farmers Markets -- on the move, during your vacation, and now easier to access for many.

This update was cross-posted on ChicagoREgen.

• If you missed the excitement recently about Chicago’s new mobile food market, you can watch news coverage about the launch of Fresh Moves Mobile Produce Market here.  Congrats on your success!  Learn more and watch a video short at http://freshmoves.org/

• Planning a summer trip and wondering how to find local food on the go while you’re away from your CSA?  Check out Local Harvest’s searchable database and maps of CSA farms, farmers’ markets, and other local and organic food resources.  http://www.localharvest.org/

• More Chicago farmers markets are accepting Link cards than ever before. Check out this story from WBEZ.

 

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

Weekly Digest: Apply today for the Local Food Business Plan Competition!

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

• Apply today for the SLoFIG Business Plan Competition! The Sustainably Local Food Finance Group (SLoFIG) is a new angel investment group solely focused on catalyzing the local food system. SLoFIG is sponsoring a Chicago region local food business plan competition in conjunction with the FamilyFarmed.org Expo Financing Fair on March 17th. Applications are due by Feb. 4, 2011.

• Advocates for Urban Agriculture (AUA) has a comprehensive overview of the Urban Agriculture Zoning Ordinance in Chicago. The City Council Zoning Committee will meet next Thursday, Jan. 27.

• Walgreens has plans to add more fresh foods to 400 stores in designated ‘food desert’ areas.

• Wal-Mart is also shifting its strategy to offer healthier foods in its stores nationwide. First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative will monitor Wal-Mart’s progress.

 

 

 

 

Weekly Digest: Better Nutrition Standards for School Lunches, Zoning for Urban Agriculture and Iowa Local Food Plan

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

• USDA is raising its nutrition standards for school lunches, calling for dramatic reductions in sodium and calories. Read about the proposed changes here.

• Advocates for Urban Agriculture will host the AUA Winter Members Meeting on Feb. 2, 2011 at the Garfield Park Conservatory.  View meeting info here.

• Read an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune, written by Harry Rhodes of Growing Home, regarding the City of Chicago's proposed zoning ordinance for urban agriculture.  Read Nevin Cohen's op-ed here.

• Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture introduced the "Iowa Local Food and Farm Plan" to the Iowa Legislature last week.

 

Weekly Digest: Urban Agriculture Zoning in Chicago, Vegetable Seeds and Green Growth Platform

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

• Over 17 environmental groups in Chicago released the “Green Growth Platform” for Chicago’s mayoral candidates. The platform focuses on a number of environmental issues, including energy efficiency, water conservation, and promoting local food.

• Chicago Tribune has a story on the new regulations proposed for urban agriculture in Chicago.

• One Seed Chicago distributes free seeds, encouraging Chicagoans to grow a garden or join a local community garden. This year, One Seed Chicago's candidates are all vegetable seeds. Vote today for swiss chard, radish, or eggplant! Each person who votes will receive the winning seed in the mail.

 

Job Posting: Program Associate, Fresh Taste

Fresh Taste is looking for a new Program Associate.  Please share the job description below with anyone you think might be interested.  There is some exciting work opening up for someone with strong organizational skills who wants to help build the local food movement.  Thanks for your help! 

Download the job description.

Deadline is Jan. 7, 2011.  Interested individuals should submit a resume, cover letter and names of references to: resumes@cct.org.