My name is Jack. I live in Chicago’s north shore suburbs, and love to find, (try to) cook and eat fresh food from small producers, as local as possible. I like to meet the farmer/producer, if possible. I am also interested in discovering and promoting ways that other people can also buy and eat this way. So, I started this blog to share great farms and markets that I find, along with occasional recipes for using this wonderful locally-produced food. The best recipes usually come from my talented wife.
I focus on the Great Lakes Region, which I loosely define as the areas that are within a couple hours of one of the five Great Lakes, in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. I travel through parts of this region several times of year, but spend a lot of time in Wisconsin in particular. These areas have similar growing conditions, but each has unique farms, markets and produce that make them special.
I support, write about and will feature here political and social action to influence food policy that promotes locally-oriented, sustainable farming; or that attempts to prevent or in some way mitigate practices that put profits before sustenance, food safety or our environment.
In Colbert Report terms, I’m by nature more “Tip of the Hat” than “Wag of the Finger”. I believe people will take the time, and perhaps spend just a little more, for locally grown food once they get in the habit of buying from the people who grow it, and experience the superior taste and quality of it. My main goal is to give people information and encouragement to do that.
I’m married, with two kids in college ($$).
