Headlines tout organics as the fastest-growing sector in agriculture, but with high-volume stores like Wal-Mart and Target getting in on the game, demand is outpacing supply. It’s entirely likely that store shelves marked “organic” are filled with produce from industrial farms or China, Mexico, and other foreign sources, rather than the small-scale regional family farms the label conjures.
1547 Rockton | Caledonia, IL 61011 | 815-389-2746 | angelicorganics.com
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Taggart Siegel’s 2006 documentary The Real Dirt on Farmer John has made Angelic Organics the most recognizable CSA in the Chicago region. John Peterson’s biodynamic farm offers two basic CSA subscriptions and about a dozen drop-off locations for its 1,350 members. A 20-week vegetable share, running from mid-June through the end of October, is $580; a 12-week vegetable share, running from mid-August through the end of October, is $380. Fruit shares and a winter share–vegetable boxes delivered every two weeks in November and December–are also available. The Angelic Organics Learning Centers in Caledonia and south-side Woodlawn offer hands-on learning opportunities throughout the year.
Genesis Growers
1325 S. Wabash, Suite 205 | Chicago, IL 60605 | 312-435-8601 | growinghomeinc.org
Growing Power, an urban farm-training program, has baskets of conventional sustainable produce available year-round for $15 a week ($8 for half baskets); family-size boxes are also available for $26. There are 12 drop-off sites throughout the city, including the Garfield Park Conservatory on Saturdays (for orders placed by Monday). Subscribers are encouraged to prepay and volunteers are welcome.
