Real Food Chicago is a community based non-profit organization that depends entirely on donations for its programs. Real Food Chicago is now raising money for various new programs and YOU can help make them happen. Click here to visit fundable.org for information on how and why to give.
(Fundable.org is an exciting new way to track where your money goes and how it is used.)
Real Food Chicago is seeking 501(3)c designation which would also make your donation tax deductable.
Real Food Chicago will seek to promote among all Chicagoans a level of comfort in understanding the significance of the food choices each of us makes every day. Real Food Chicago will focus on building ground level awareness of the four basic building blocks of a ‘real’ and vibrant food community:
Great Tasting – Chicagoans should be able to eat food that tastes great and ‘real’
Locally Produced – Chicagoans should be able to eat food produced as close to home as possible
Sustainable – Chicagoans should be able to eat food produced with their future, as well as their children’s and grandchildren’s futures in mind
Organic – Chicagoans should be able to eat the most naturally healthful and ‘real’ food available without worry over whether they can afford the best foods or which current production practice might cause them harm
OBJECTIVES
To promote Chicago as a ‘real’ and ‘green’ city, one which is nationally and globally recognized as embodying the principles of GLSO (Great tasting, Locally produced, sustainable, organic food)
To educate and empower local chefs and restauranteurs to make buying decisions based on the GLSO principles
To widen the open market for GLSO products of all types and make them affordable and available to all people regardless of social or economic class
To create community support for local businesses which utilize the GLSO principles in their everyday business practices
To help bring together the many local individuals and organizations who are motivated by the principles of GLSO into a cohesive, active and vocal community working together to better our city and our future
To create a body of factual food production information as well as a forum for open and direct dialog between food consumers and GLSO food producers via a network of websites as well as neighborhood workshops and cooking/nutrition classes
KEYS TO SUCCESS
Market Trends - Consumers are increasingly aware of potential and perceived problems in our national and global food supply and are faced with more and more critical food decisions almost weekly. Chicagoans from every social and economic sector want more information on what food is healthful, why and how they can obtain it. The local news and print media therefore provide a constant flow of such information. Real Food Chicago will seek to become a reliable source for the media and all Chicagoans of the most current and factual information available.
Strategic Alliances - Many large organizations and corporations have recognized that the principles of GLSO are important to an ever-increasing number of consumers and are modifying their market positions and corporate philosophies to grow with their consumer’s needs. Some of these organizations will seek to sponsor or partner with organizations like Real Food Chicago.
Grass Roots Support – The hard work and passion of neighborhood Chicagoans in Real Food Chicago sponsored community-based projects will promote an ongoing understanding at the ground level of the ‘real’ food issues facing all of us every day.
Essay Contest – Real Food Chicago will run an essay-based contest to garner and focus national attention on Chicago as a city addressing local GLSO issues in a progressive and creative manner. Rather than tax-payer dollars, a contest entry fee will provide funding for initiatives by Real Food Chicago and other like-minded organizations, as well as allow for the creation of an exciting new Chicago restaurant that will embody the GLSO principles and seek to reaffirm and strengthen Chicago’s tradition of great ‘neighborhood joints’ that truly are an integral part of their community.
