Hello Mamas,
Like so many, I am trying to be more conscious of where our food comes from and what goes into it. I have many friends and family back in MN who have their own family farms, but here in IL I don't know anyone. We live about 15 min from Oakbrook Center, so I'm hoping to find an organization that fits the small family farm/ co-op/organic/sustainable farming model and delivers. More than anything, I'd rather help mom-and-pop establishments than big supermarkets or even stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods who have plenty of biz already.
There is also the Green Earth Institute in Naperville which sells shares of its CSA - it's an organic farm and you can't get any more local than Naperville! Although they don't deliver, they do have drop off points. http://www.greenearthinstitute.org/
I used Fresh Picks for a couple of years and were happy with them - they contract with local organic farmers. I only stopped because my son is stuck in a "picky eater" stage and my husband doesn't love the same variety of vegetables that I do, and it started to seem very self-indulgent to spend that much money on produce that no one but me was really eating. However, if you have the time and your family will eat the food, Irv and Shelly are great. www.freshpicks.com
I hear great things about Irv and Shelly's Fresh Picks. We've only used them once, and we were happy with it. I'm not sure they're all organic, but maybe all local? Good quality, you order what you want, including dairy and eggs, not sure about meat. They deliver. Not cheap. Very helpful customer service. For pick up, Angelic Organics CSA is very well respected. Bountiful, fresh, well organized. They have drop off locations around the city, I assume in the suburbs too. They are veggies only, with an add on for fruit. All is organic and the veggies come from their farm. There are some egg shares as well. Growing season only.
Angelic Organics is a community supported farm located in Caldonia, IL. They have a drop off site near you in Westmont. I am sure you can find them online.
Enjoy your vegie search!
A.
I second Angelic Organics. We have been very happy with them for the past few years. Here is their web site: www.angleicorganics.com. I suggest that you sign up early as sometimes they sell out of shares. If you have specific questions please feel free to contact me.
I have used Timber Creek Farms in Yorkville, IL in the past. http://www.tcforganics.org/
Try Peasants Plot in Mokena, IL. Great couple with their own farm. www.peasantsplot.com
