The Event: More than 5,000 attendees sought out the goods from 180 local food producers at the12th annual Good Food Festival & Conference held at the University of Illinois at Chicago March 24-26. DIY workshops, chef demos, and samples of local and sustainable edibles supported the mission of FamilyFarmed, the festival’s founder, to enhance the social, economic and environmental health of communities by encouraging locally-grown and responsibly-produced food sources.
Cause célebre: “We’re just talking about going back to the way food’s been grown for thousands of years,” said Cliff McConville of Barrington Hills, owner of All Grass Farms (formerly Barrington Natural Farms). With 20 dairy cows, 800 hens, 100 pigs and 5000 chickens, McConville’s 150-acre farm feeds some 300 families annually.
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“People should eat local, organic, no chemicals, no antibiotics and in a way that is environmentally-conscious,” he stressed.
The focus of all the vendors was on eating wholesome food the way our forefathers used to make and grow without chemical additives, pesticides or genetically-modified crops. Similarly, Evanston’s Hewn Bakery owner, Ellen King, is committed to paying farmers more for their local and organically-grown flour, “And explaining the benefits to our customers,” said King.
FamilyFarmed works to build partnerships that grow regional food systems; encourages transparency in food production, and advocates for healthy and affordable food access to all.
“I wish that everybody could have access to good food,” said Jim Slama of Oak Park, GFF producer. “Not just people who are rich but we want everybody to eat well and healthy, take care of themselves, and have good relations with the people who grow and prepare their food.”
More at familyfarmed.org