Click here to download a copy of “Building Successful Food Hubs: A Business Planning Guide for Aggregating and Processing Local Food in Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD – On January 12, 2012 Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Warren Ribley addressed the annual Illinois Specialty Growers Association conference in Springfield. At the conference, Dir. Ribley highlighted ways the state is working to increase markets for local foods.

“More people today want to know where their food comes from. Making food grown and produced in Illinois more accessible helps Illinois residents eat locally and helps boost our economy,” said Director Ribley. “The tools we’re introducing today are a step toward building an expanded, locally-produced food supply that benefits more people in Illinois.”

Food hubs are processing and distribution centers where independent, local farmers can market their products to larger entities like schools and government agencies, making locally-grown food more widely available.  The lack of a food hub network in Illinois has been a barrier to increasing markets for small farmers.

To help meet the demand, DCEO has partnered with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, FamilyFarmed.org and the University of Illinois’ Business Innovation Services to create the guidebook, “Building Successful Food Hubs: A Business Planning Guide for Aggregating and Processing Local Food in Illinois.”

The guide serves as a resource for communities, businesses, not-for-profits and others interested in establishing food hubs. The guide includes descriptions of key functions, best practices, and “how-to” strategies for establishing and operating food hubs that are based on successful food hubs operating in other regions, specifically adapted for application in Illinois’ food system.

“The demand for local supply in Illinois far exceeds supply, and food hubs are an excellent way to aggregate product and sell to wholesale buyers,” says Jim Slama, president of FamilyFarmed.org. “This guide is a resource for prospective food hub operators and we are pleased to make it available.”

DCEO has also invested in several early food hub projects around the state. Edible Economy in Bloomington-Normal has received funds for a strategic plan that will create a food hub to help provide local foods for students at Illinois State University; as has a food hub intended to be staffed by workers at the Tazewell County Resource Center in Pekin.

Director Ribley also announced a new website to help farmers navigate larger market channels which often have complex regulatory requirements. When farmers are ready to explore alternative market channels associated with retail, restaurants, institutions, wholesale, processing, and direct sales, they can find helpful information at http://isupply.illinois.edu/. The site connects producers of a wide range of food products directly to market requirements and resources, as well as entities that may already have an interest in purchasing their products.  Additionally, the site provides links to relevant regulatory requirements and other important resources associated with various products and market channels.

The guidebook, “Building Successful Food Hubs: A Business Planning Guide for Aggregating and Processing Local Food in Illinois,” is available for free for download by clicking here.

 Through DCEO, the state has been focusing investments on developing and expanding high-growth sectors like agriculture, including training Illinois workers in these 21^st century occupations, promotion of local foods, expanding local supply chains to alleviate food desserts and infrastructure investments to quicken the innovation in these sectors.

The On-Farm Food Safety Project was officially unveiled on December 15, 2011 at U.S. Department of Agriculture headquarters by Jim Slama, President of FamilyFarmed.org, high profile food and agriculture organizations, and Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. This broad partnership of stakeholders will help release the new online tool, available free to farmers, and demonstrate its ability to mitigate farm-based food safety risks.

The tool is voluntary and enables produce growers to create customized food safety plans, and thus, adopt and document best practices in food safety. It is the first of its kind and was developed by the nonprofit FamilyFarmed.org with lead funding from the USDA Risk Management Agency. A broad coalition of farm and produce industry partners helped create the program, which is available at www.onfarmfoodsafety.org.

In an era of growing concern about food safety, farmers of all sizes have sought ways to build effective and manageable food safety programs in an economical manner. This tool will help produce growers improve their food safety protocols by helping them assess risks specific to their farms and suggesting risk-specific mitigations.

“USDA believes that a strong farm safety net-including effective, market-based risk solutions for producers of all variety and size-is crucial to sustain the vitality of American agriculture,” said Merrigan. “Effectively managing risk is important to all producers, and having an acceptable food safety program is in the best interest of consumers, buyers, and the farmers themselves. USDA is proud to have worked with private, public and nonprofit partners to introduce this free tool to farmers seeking to gain certification as a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) producer.”

To generate a food safety plan using the tool, the farmer or user answers a series of questions that have been divided into the food safety risk areas. They include worker health and hygiene, agricultural water, previous land use, soil amendments and manure, animals and pest control, packinghouse activities, product transportation, agricultural chemicals, and field harvesting. In addition to helping farmers create a food safety plan, the tool offers farmers a full-set of record keeping templates to document their food safety efforts as well as useful food safety resources.

Once users have completed their farm’s food safety plan and compiled necessary documentation, they have the capacity to apply for GAP food safety certification, a process asked for by many large produce buyers. USDA’s GAP audit verification program, administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), focuses on best agricultural practices to verify that farms are producing fruits and vegetables in the safest manner possible to minimize risks of microbial food safety hazards.

“Wholesale buyers are increasingly requiring that farms adopt and quantify best practices in food safety,” says Jim Slama, President of FamilyFarmed.org. “We created this tool in order to give farmers access to a system that allows them to meet the needs of these buyers, while minimizing risk.”

Large buyers including Compass Group, Sysco, and Chipotle Mexican Grill supported the project financially and with technical assistance. The tool, two-and-a-half years in development, was initiated at Cooking for Solutions at the Monterey Bay Aquarium by a conversation between Jim Slama and Will Daniels, senior vice president of food safety for Earthbound Farm, America’s leading organic grower. “Foodborne pathogens don’t discriminate between small and large farms, but a one-size-fits-all approach to food safety isn’t effective,” said Daniels. “Programs have to be tailored to specific risks, which is what this tool does.”

Slama and Daniels saw the importance of providing an affordable, relevant means by which smaller growers could develop food safety programs and the initiative was launched. Daniels agreed to chair the Technical Advisory Committee and, together, they recruited many national leaders in food safety to oversee the development of the project.

Groups that participated in the development and review of the tool include: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Compass Group, Earthbound Farm, Farm Aid, FDA, NSF Agriculture, Produce Marketing Association, Sysco, The Organic Center, Western Growers, Wallace Center at Winrock International, Wild Farm Alliance, University of California at Davis, United Fresh Produce Association, and the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture. Through a consensus process, technical advisors developed the online tool to meet the needs of small and large growers.

“We are pleased that the On-Farm Food Safety Project sought out and engaged a broad-based community to develop this tool,” says Dave Runsten, Director of Policy and Programs for the Community Alliance with Family Farmers. “It truly reflects the input of all levels of produce farmers and experts.”

The tool integrates with Harmonized GAP standards developed by United Fresh Produce Association, thus helping farmers meet the food safety compliance specifications of most wholesale buyers.

“A full spectrum of stakeholders came together to create this online tool and we are grateful for their input,” said Slama. “We invite farms of all sizes to use it and to give us feedback about their experience.”

The FamilyFarmed EXPO has become the Good Food Festival and Conference – Chicago.

After seven successful years as the Midwest’s Premier Good Food Event, the FamilyFarmed EXPO has gone national. We’re excited to announce that the FamilyFarmed EXPO is now the Good Food Festival and Conference. This change reflects FamilyFarmed.org’s national leadership in growing the Good Food Movement. Join us and experience the movement that is changing the way we eat.

The multi-day festival will focus on regional and national issues relevant to farmers and food businesses and will include a tradeshow, festival, and workshops for individuals and families interested in eating, preparing, and preserving local food.

For information on exhibiting and to apply, click here. Apply early and save, early bird discount available until December 12, 2011.

The order of 1.2 million pounds of chicken from Amish farmers will help raise awareness on the issues of antibiotic overuse in food animals. Whole Foods Market assisted CPS and CTH with their sourcing needs and helped identify Miller Poultry as the chicken provider for the 300,000 students fed daily at CPS. In addition, the project is supported by School Food FOCUS and the Healthy Schools Campaign. These organizations see this program as an important first step in efforts to reduce the overuse of antibiotics in food animals nationally and ensure the future effectiveness of antibiotics for human medicine.

More information can be found on the news release section of CTH’s website, here.

Sunday,  October 9 3:30pm to 6:30pm
Heritage Prairie Farm in Elburn, IL

BOKA Group chefs Stephanie Izard of Girl & the Goat and Giuseppe Tentori of BOKA Restaurant and Bar and GT Fish and Oyster will create a multi-course family style dinner showcasing amazing food from local farms. The meal will feature appetizers, main courses, vegetable side dishes, and delectable deserts served at the picturesque Heritage Prairie Farm in Elburn, Illinois. Once there, visitors can take a guided tour and see where some of Chicago’s top restaurants source their fresh produce and honey.

This remarkable day will give good food fans an opportunity to spend quality time with Stephanie Izard and Giuseppe Tentori, two of America’s leading chefs. In addition, Stephanie Izard will be signing copies of her new book, Girl in the Kitchen: How a Top Chef Cooks, Thinks, Shops, Eats, and Drinks

Leave the Driving to Us.

Mixologists will be serving farm to bar inspired craft cocktails aboard coach buses departing from the city. Sign up early to reserve your seat. The first 100 people are guaranteed a spot on the buses.

Logistics.

Buses depart Chicago at 2pm. Returns are scheduled to arrive at 8pm. For those driving to the farm on their own, the supper begins at 3:30pm at Heritage Prairie Farm and ends at 6:30pm.

Support FamilyFarmed.org

Proceeds of the Harvest Supper benefit the work of FamilyFarmed.org, one of the country’s leading non-profit organizations working to support family farmers and local food. Your contribution will help FamilyFarmed.org expand programs to help restaurants, schools, hospitals, universities and other large scale buyers purchase fresh local fruits and vegetables.

Buy your tickets early! This event has limited capacity and sold out last year!

$125.00 per ticket, includes transportation to and from Heritage Prairie Farm for the first 100 people who sign up. Others can drive straight to the farm, where there is plenty of parking.

$35 cost for Stephanie Izards’s book, Girl in the Kitchen: How a Top Chef Cooks, Thinks, Shops, Eats, and Drinks.

Watch, Vote and Win — One voter will receive free food for a year from sponsors!

Join FamilyFarmed.org and SnagFilms for the  “Good Food Film Countdown” to help determine the Best Food Films of all time.  Film and food fans who vote for their top documentary and fictional food film will be to win free food and products for a year from signature sponsors, including, Chipotle, Applegate, Stoneyfield, Organic Valley, Nature’s Path Organic and Earth Friendly Products.

There are over 200 of options to vote for.  The films Big Night, Like Water for Chocolate, Babette’s Feast, Chicken Soup, or even Attack of the Killer Tomatoes are just a few! And, many of the incredible Good Food documentaries that have not been widely viewed will be available to watch and voted upon.

The first round of voting runs until October 31, after which the film list will be narrowed to five non-fiction and five fiction films.  From November 1 through November 28, voters will then vote for one of the top five ranked films in each category to determine their favorite food flick.

“FamilyFarmed.org aims to bring healthy food to local communities across America while benefitting farmers, consumers and businesses,” said Familyfarmed.org Founder and President, Jim Slama.  “We are excited to work with SnagFilms on the sweepstakes, to encourage families to celebrate food by watching and voting for their favorite foods films and to have the chance to win healthy foods.”

“We eat by necessity – but what we eat is a choice. FamilyFarmed.org and the films in this showcase help us choose more flavor, better health and a sustainable planet.  It’s filmanthropy for your family dinner table, and we’re delighted to enlist the SnagFilms community to watch, share and eat smart,” said Rick Allen, SnagFilms CEO.

Additional sponsors for the Good Food Film Countdown include Whole Foods Market, Beanfields, Bon Appetit, Nutiva and FrogTV.  A selection of food films are currently available for free streaming online via SnagFilms.com.

Food. Music. Ideas.
October 1, Lincoln Park
Chicago, IL

Cultivate Festival is a celebration of where food comes from and the people who make it. It’s a food, music and ideas festival that brings together farmers, chefs, thought leaders, artisans, and musicians on a journey toward a world of more sustainable wholesome and delicious food.

Proceeds benefit FamilyFarmed.org

Click here to visit Chipotle’s Cultivate Festival website for more information.

The Artisan Food Hall:

Artisan Hall will be an area for patrons to experience authentic, specialty food made from local artisans (i.e.fresh bread, ice cream, cheese etc.). All the craftsmen will be on hand to educate people on their creations.

The Tasting Room:

The harvest tasting room is where great food is paired with great drink. In the spirit of a German beer garden, people can taste craft ales and organic wines.

Chef Demonstration Stages:

Local chefs, farmers and artisans share a stage to demonstrate their craft and share their knowledge.

The Music Stage:

In the center of the festival, the music stage will provide the incredible atmosphere for people to reconnect with their food at this modern day harvest festival.

Chipotle Stations:

Once-in-a-lifetime food crafted by Chipotle just for the harvest celebration. These new recipes and unique ingredients will delight the Chipotle faithful.

Kids Learning Area:

An area where kids will get a better understanding of where food comes from farm to table.

Art On The Farm:

At Cultivate, art is a big part of how Chipotle is re-framing the idea of where food comes from. Chipotle will tap into the art community to create several key pieces throughout the Cultivate event site to help recontextulize the role of the farmer along with providing a backdrop to a memorable event.

Thanks to all who contributed to the success of the inaugural Good Food Festival in Southern California. Nearly 8,000 attendees joined us for this 5 day gathering that celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Santa Monica Farmers Market. We ate good food, viewed films, experienced amazing chefs, saw fabulous rediscovered WPA agricultural art, learned from leading farmers and ranchers, saw gardening and food preservation demos, had a Gala on the ocean, and heard from many leaders in the Good Food Movement!

Of course we could not have accomplished this without the help of so many people. Staff, board, advisers, volunteers, speakers, chefs, farmers, and more all contributed to this effort. We are so grateful for their help. Thank you!

Special Thanks to our sponsors, who made this event possible!

We will be posting video’s and photos in the coming weeks on or website. Hope you check them out!

Visit GoodFoodFestivals.com for more information.

At this stage in our research, we’re distributing a survey to those who might potentially benefit from such a facility in Central Illinois or the greater Chicagoland area to gauge their interest in the concept.

Click here for more information.

Are you a produce grower or food artisan interested in such a facility?

For the Central Illinois survey, click here.

For the greater Chicagoland survey, click here.

This past month FamilyFarmed.org and Chipotle Mexican Grill forged an exciting fundraising partnership culminating in the Wrap What You Love campaign. The exciting contest pitted Chipotle fans against each other to help support their common passion for good food, while also having the chance to win fantastic prizes. Contestants, including FamilyFarmed.org’s President Jim Slama, literally wrapped items they love in foil and submitted them for judging.

Over 1300 people submitted their loved items, and 96,095 votes were cast, with each vote contributing $1 to FamilyFarmed.org. The entries ran the gamut and included such notables as the Burri-ROW and the winner of the contest, 4 Day Old Burrito. Not only did this amazing contest raise money to support FamilyFarmed.org’s mission to expand locally grown and responsibly produced food, it was a fun and exciting, which is exactly what we think food should be.

The partnership is yet another example of Chipotle’s dedication to Food With Integrity, a commitment to serve naturally raised meat and dairy and locally sourced produce that supports family farmers.  This approach to business, food, and the environment aligns closely with FamilyFarmed.org’s founding principals. It’s simply the way food should be. FamilyFarmed.org is thrilled to have joined forces with Chipotle Mexican Grill in support of Good Food, and we look forward to continue this partnership in the future. Keep an eye out for exciting announcements!