Chefs and localvores have long been singing the praises of farm-fresh eggs and most can’t imagine having any other then free-range from the farm. Ask a chef and a localvore what makes them loyal to farm fresh eggs you’d probably get two different answers. Chefs tend to favor the texture, freshness and richness of golden hues. Where a localvore might initially focus more on how the eggs were raised. The chickens are outdoors in the pasture where they are free to roam at their leisure, get all the sunshine they want. As well as freely forage for there own food of grasses, worms and insects, all while enjoying the breezes of the season.
Most farmers that raise free-range chickens have movable pens or houses for their chickens. These “pastures” are moved from place to place giving the chickens fresh grazing areas on a regular basis. With this set up, the chickens will have some protection from predators. What about antibiotics and hormones you ask? Antibiotic-free means that the chickens were never fed antibiotics at anytime in their life. Chickens do not need antibiotics to grow and be healthy. Chickens raise their own resistance by being a their natural environment. Farmers focus on good husbandry (breeding and caring for farm animals ) practices such as sanitation. All chickens are hormone-free. Despite numerous marketing and labeling statements by many egg producers, hormones have not been used in the poultry industry for over 50 years. So whether you see a carton of eggs that have “hormone-free” on it or not be assured that the the eggs are hormone-free. Read more
Micheal Pollan was recently a featured gust on on point with Tom Ashbrook, discussing his latest work – Food Rules.
Pollan says that inspiration for his latest work came from a doctor-actually, a couple of them. ”They had read my last book, ‘In Defense of Food’, which ended with a handful of tips for eating well: simple ways to navigate the treacherous landscape of modern food and the often-confusing science of nutrition. “What I would love is a pamphlet I could hand to my patients with some rules for eating wisely,” they would say. “I don’t have time for the big nutrition lecture and, anyway, they really don’t need to know what an antioxidant is in order to eat wisely.” Pollan listened.
Listen to the complete interview On Point with Tom Ashbrook: Michael Pollen on food rules for a better life. Pollan’s previous works include “In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto”, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma”. “Second Nature” and “A Place of My Own” and is a regular contributer to the New York Times Magazine.
Who:Terra Brockman, Author What: Book Signing When: Saturday, December 19th 2009 Where: Community Winter Market at Inglenook Pantry, 11 N 5th St Geneva IL 60134
Terra Brockman was raised in central Illinois, where four generations of her family have farmed. Terra’s younger brother, Henry, grows 650 varieties of vegetables on about 12 acres (between Peoria and Bloomington). There, he and his family with apprentices have bucked the traditional agribusiness conventional wisdom by farming in a way that’s sensible, sustainable and focused on producing healthy, nutritious food that doesn’t damage the land.
Terra Brockman tells the story of her family and their life on the farm in the form of a year-long memoir that takes the reader through each season of life on the farm.
For more information about Terra Brockman or her book, please visit her website at www.terrabrockman.com
Where: Country Garden Cuisine 3n369 Lafox Rd, Campton Hills, IL 60175-7636
Celebrate the foods of fall and join Slow Food City’s Edge for a harvest potluck supper and screening of the movie FRESH!
Please bring your favorite slow food inspired entree or side dish to share with your friends and neighbors. Fresh, the movie celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system.
Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision of our food and our planets future. Fresh addresses an ethos that has been sweeping the nation and is a call to action America has been waiting for.
We invite you to learn more about Slow Food City’s Edge, share good food with your neighbors, and understand the importance of eating healthier, locally grown food and how you can participate in this movement.
OnPath Finanical, LLC welcomes you to a night of “Responsible Living” Thursdsay, November 19th at 6:00 p.m. at Heritage Prairie Farm. Enjoy live music, a locally-grown dinner, and tour of the farm. Sit with friends at a community table or the warm campfire while the sun sets over the fields as you discover ways to promote a responsible society from the way you eat to the way you invest.
Cost: $15 per person and can be paid the night of the dinner.
Lamb of God is a later addition to our market. They specialize in chemical free produce and natural fibers. Earlier this season, they started weaving a flag with their fibers to recreate the original American flag. Beyond offering natural product, they teach classes on their farm. For more information go to www.familyfarmed.org/lambofgod.html
Here is their sustainability statement:
Our family is committed to growing our food and fiber using organic and sustainable methods. We have chosen to grow our crops and raise our sheep naturally because our Creator destined things to be grown in a way that respects the abundant resources He has blessed us with.
We feel farming with organic methods is the only safe and wise way to farm; thus, we want our family, soil and products to be healthy and pure. We also believe that it is our responsibility to help others learn techniques for raising their food and fiber all naturally.
About three years ago, Mark and Connie Weaver decided to extend their commitment to feeding their family with locally grown, organic foods to Inglenook Pantry patrons. They believe that good quality, healthy foods should be as readily available when dining out as they are when choosing what to eat at home. Inglenook offers this standard of quality in a variety of venues from concession stands to deluxe catering. Each week at the Geneva Green Market, NFP, Inglenook Pantry offers a variety of foods made from locally grown foods including quiche made from local vegetables and Rob Murphy’s cheeses and pies made from Hillside Orchards’ fruit.
Mark and Connie are continuously active members of their community. They support local farms and businesses by not only purchasing local products for their restaurant, but also providing a space and running the Geneva Winter Market, co-running the Geneva Green Market, NFP and supporting the Geneva schools in numerous ways. The Inglenook Pantry is truly the definition of a sustainable restaurant.
INGLENOOK PANTRY
Connie & Mark Weaver N 5th Street
Geneva IL 60134
630.377.0373
Edible Chicago is a publication dedicated to providing its readers with “a direct connection to the local producers who can provide a bounty of fresh ingredients for consumption.” Their mission is to educate people about local food and the benefits that local food brings to their communities. Edible Chicago “values local, seasonal, authentic foods and culinary traditions.” The magazine helps bring the farmer and community together to utilize natural, healthy resources to enhance the quality of food consumed every day.
The Geneva Green Market is a local distributor of edible Chicago in the Fox Valley area. Copies are available at the market, Thursdays 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., 75 N River Lane in Geneva. For more information about Edible Chicago, please visit their website, www.ediblechicago.com.
During World War II, the pesticide DDT was discovered by a Swiss chemist. When farmers first applied the pesticide they received a greater crop yield, however pests have developed strains that resist DDT. Since then scientists have been inventing new pesticides that are more potent (toxic), and farmers today apply about 42 times more pesticides then they had in 1942. These pesticides contaminate our water and destroy our valuable top soil.
Hillside Orchards is a small family farm that is committed to keeping people and the environment healthy. They use natural pest management and organic fertilizers to grow exceptionally high quality fruit. Fruit, however is extremely susceptible to insect damage. When necessary they use the safest pesticides available that do not harm people or wildlife and do not have lasting effects on the environment. This method is called Integrated Pest Management.
Age-old, common-sense practices are what many people associate Read more
Terra Brockman was raised in central Illinois, where four generations of her family have farmed. Terra’s younger brother, Henry, 
