News

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New Tool: Food Market Size Estimator — by Dan Anderson — last modified November 19, 2008 03:19 PM

The new tool, called the U.S. Food Market Size Estimator can help users find the approximate demand for 204 food products in every county of the United States. Products include milk, cheese and dairy foods; fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables; grains; and meat, fish and nuts.

Buy local, eat local: Food-borne illnesses are driving consumers to find food closer to home — by Demeter — last modified June 23, 2008 01:20 PM

In the past few weeks, Joy Weaver’s gotten pretty good at reading minds. Inside Catalpa Grove Farm Market, near Columbiana, Ohio, Weaver and other employees know just what that customer lingering near the tomatoes is wondering. Are these safe? Where are they from?

Local Food Not Lawns chapter focuses on homegrown produce — by Demeter — last modified June 23, 2008 01:06 PM

Mindy Hanna never had gardened before, but she has a garden bigger than her house. Hanna, who lives in the 1400 block of South Glenwood Avenue, joined the new Springfield chapter of Food Not Lawns. With the help of some other members who are more experienced in gardening, she is working on converting her lawn into a garden bountiful enough to feed her family.

Illinois Stewardship Alliance Announces New Marketing Tool for Farmers in Central Illinois — by Demeter — last modified July 10, 2008 01:35 PM

The Illinois Stewardship Alliance is kicking off a local foods campaign, Buy Fresh Buy Local Central Illinois.

Support Flooded Midwest Farmers! — by Demeter — last modified June 20, 2008 01:46 PM

The Family Farm Disaster Fund was established by Farm Aid to help farm families survive weather-related disasters. Right now we are working with farmers across the country who have been hurt by devastating flooding and severe weather in Iowa, Wisconsin and seven other mid-western states.

Urbana Food and Farm Listening Session — by Rebecca Roach — last modified June 20, 2008 01:56 PM

 

Illinois Farm Direct Celebrates 5th Anniversary — by David Onstad — last modified June 20, 2008 01:40 PM

 

Illinois Fresh Taste Initiative — by Michelle Wander — last modified June 21, 2008 02:24 PM

Karen Lehman, Director, outlines initiative's goals in a visit to campus

Locally Grown Opportunities Conference, June 13, 9 am - 2 pm — by Extension — last modified June 20, 2008 01:56 PM

University of Illinois Extension is seeking local businesses and organizations with an interest in locally grown products such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, meats, and other agricultural products. If your business and the customers you serve have a demand for these locally grown products, University of Illinois Extension invites you or a representative of your business to attend the conference at Augustana College on Friday, June 13 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. The Locally Grown Opportunities conference will bring together local producers, distributers, and businesses. If you have questions please contact Peter Chege, Horticulture Specialist at University of Illinois Extension 309-792-2500. You may register for the conference online at the Rock Island County Extension web site: www.extension.uiuc.edu/rockisland or call (309) 796-0512.

Rising food prices make farmers markets a better bargain — by Melissa McEwen — last modified June 20, 2008 01:35 PM

Nick Nichols pumped $200 worth of diesel into his truck last Saturday morning to make the 63-mile trip from his farm in Marengo to the Green City Market in Lincoln Park. At $4.82 per gallon, Nichols says his fuel costs are up about 35 percent over last year. But while the rising gas prices may impact the cost of going to market for local Illinois farmers like Nichols, it may be making their produce a better buy for consumers. Food sold at grocery stores generally has farther to travel and consequently incurs greater fuel costs.

Localvores say there's no place like home when it comes to buying food — by Melissa McEwen — last modified June 20, 2008 01:58 PM

Great article with pictures and video about how much food Illinois brings in from outside the state (90%!!), the new local food legislation in Illinois, and barriers to local production.

A Fresh Take on Champaign-Urbana Dining — by Melissa McEwen — last modified June 20, 2008 01:59 PM

Savoring shrimp bruschetta topped with mint, red chiles and limoncello in Champaign's sexy, minimal restaurant bacaro, customers are likely to be too swept up in rich flavors to contemplate where their food came from. However, the food they are eating may have recently been plucked from the earth by the hands of a local farmer in central Illinois farmland.