local food

Having been an active participant in the local food movement in one capacity or another for most of my life, I have to say that 2020 brought unfathomable challenges that have tested our determination to provide healthy, safe, farm raised food.  I'm here today to share an anecdote of the every day struggles of a small farmer who raises and sells meat during the COVID pandemic.

Many small businesses struggle to achieve profitability. The situation is no different for the Macomb Food Co-op.

I was leading a study abroad course in Puerto Rico when I heard that Anthony Bourdain had died.  My immediate thought was, "Damn it, we lost another good one."  Like most, I had never met Anthony Bourdain, yet he felt like a friend to me.  From his very first foray into ethnographic filmmaking and eating around the globe with A Cook's Tour to his more recent Parts Unknown, he kept me company on a regular basis.  

Low crop prices have many Midwest wheat and corn farmers looking for ways to supplement their incomes. One possibility for conventional farmers: producing food for farmers markets.

The Macomb Farmer's Market celebrated its 40th anniversary this past Saturday with eighteen vendors selling homegrown fruits and vegetables.  Crafts were also sold.  King Neptune performed Piedmont-style Blues at the event.  The turnout was small because of thunder and heavy rains, but both the crowd and market gardeners were enthusiastic to be there.

In the U.S., one in six people struggles with hunger. Food pantries across the country pass out food to help these people put meals on the table. But what if they could help teach the pantry visitors how to grow their own food, too?

It's no longer enough for restaurants to offer roasted chicken or braised beef shank on their menus. They need to be able to tell customers exactly where that chicken came from and how the cow was raised. If they can remember the pedigree of the produce? All the better.

The Macomb Food Co-op's online market started operating in April 2014. The organization said it's taken in nearly $42,000 since then and returned more than $34,000 to local producers.

The online market opened by the Macomb Food Co-op in April continues to grow in popularity among shoppers and producers.

The Farm Bill was passed in February. But now, piece by piece, it’s taking effect. We’re beginning to see how parts of the farm bill are doing more to help farmers go small.

Farms aren’t just for food any more.

Recognizing that the demand for local food is growing to between $5 and 7 billion a year, the USDA announced a new effort aimed at connecting farmers with urban shoppers.

Harvest Public Media’s three-part series takes a look at the growing national popularity of local foods.

The Macomb Food Co-op plans to open a store in Macomb. But until it can make that happen, it’s found another way to make local foods available.

The Prairie Land Conservancy will host its 2nd Annual Extending the Prairie Table Fundraising Dinner.

In a small classroom at Knox College, a group of kids sat in a circle of tables, surrounded by seed catalogs and marked up sheets of paper.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is trying to get more people to take advantage of program designed to encourage low income people to use public assistance to buy fresh and local produce, but there are challenges for residents of Western Illinois who want to use the program.

The Macomb Community Garden is looking forward to growing this year -- growing crops and growing membership.

An informational meeting will be held Wednesday, March 7 at 7:00 pm in the Community Room at Macomb City Hall.

Chairman John Miller said the garden provides an opportunity for those who want to garden but cannot do so at home because of poor soil, too much shade, or some other issue.