On April 2, to mark the beginning of the season, the Oak Park Area Edible Gardening Cooperative will launch a unique community garden project dubbed “Karen’s Garden.” Oak Park resident Allen Green has graciously made his yard available to members of the Cooperative as a shared space for growing food and creating native habitat, at 213 Thomas St., in Oak Park.
How can we reduce landfill waste while putting money into our own pockets at the same time? The answer is simple. Buy from the bulk bin sections at our local stores. By purchasing staples such as beans, rice, granola, nuts, and even cleaning supplies from bulk sections, we reduce wasteful packaging and conserve resources used in its production. These savings are passed on to us through lower per pound/unit prices.
After several years of very hard work, the Sugar Beet Co-op is ready to host its Grand Opening on Friday, July 31. The Sugar Beet is a cooperatively owned, full-service grocery store at 812 Madison St., in Oak Park. The store will be open to everyone for shopping and special tastings from local vendors and farmers on July 31, starting at 8 a.m. Sugar Beet Co-op owners can also participate in behind-the-scenes tours and take advantage of special offers and give-aways from Friday, July 31, to Sunday, August 2.
LINK card holders can double their dollars at the Oak Park Farmers’ Market each Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 460 Lake St., Pilgrim Church parking lot, in Oak Park. The LINK Up Illinois program is an effort to make fresh, local food affordable to LINK card (formerly ‘food stamp’) recipients. If you or someone you know is eligible, please spread the word. More details here.
(bring your favorite dish)
to the Home of Estelle Carol
323 S. East Ave. in Oak Park
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, June 18
Tour and learn about a front-yard edible landscape, swap gardening stories, and organize committees for the Oak Park Area Edible Gardening Cooperative. To RSVP or for more information, contact info@seedingchicago.com or go to seedingchicago.com
boywithzucchini
An effort to encourage Oak Park area residents to plant more edible gardens got off to a promising start this spring. The idea gained traction through word-of-mouth promotion and flier distribution. Within a few days, more than 30 people had joined the email list of the Oak Park Area Edible Gardening Cooperative, and its new Twitter account had attracted 50-plus followers. The gardening cooperative grew out of ongoing discussions among three Oak Park gardeners and environmental activists — Estelle Carol, Julie Samuels and Cassandra West. They believe that experienced gardeners and gardeners-in-training can combine their collective power to improve health in four vital areas: land, people, food and community.
Edible landscaping integrates food plants within an ornamental or decorative setting. Many edible landscape gardeners have even turned their front yards into bountiful food producing spaces without losing any of the beauty that adds to their property. They simply substitute lettuces, berries, vegetables and fruit trees for unproductive, water-hogging plants.
Still in the early stage, the Oak Park Area Gardening Cooperative is a virtual community that will offer opportunities to share, collaborate, learn and enjoy the rewards that come from growing more edible plants.
Those who join the email list can expect to receive an announcement soon about a meet-and-greet event, and eventually, mini workshops, informal field trips and more.
Edible
Triton College’s Green Drinks Series will feature Michael Howard with the theme, “Reconnecting Urban Audiences to the Land: Lessons from an Urban Agriculture Program,” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 8. Michael founded Eden Place Nature Center and Urban Farm by cleaning up an illegal dumpsite, with help from family and friends, in his Fuller Park neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. This urban oasis now educates youth and their families about environmental stewardship via wetland, prairie and woodland. Learn more here. The Green Drinks Series is a free, public event with a cash bar, snacks, and plenty of time for networking. Location is Triton College Student Center, Room B-223, 2000 Fifth Ave., in River Grove.
The Chicago Green Festival at Navy Pier, October 24-26, attracted thousands of people looking for inspiration in green living. It's one of the biggest events of its kind in the nation. If you went, we hope you visited the One Earth Film Festival booth, featuring a social media-inspired #Earthgram photo booth, a "Vote for a Trailer" screening station, and ample resource guides to promote the festival and Green Community Connection events and activities.
