Produce oasis to open at tollway oases
Sometimes you just can't make it to your local farmers market. Maybe an early morning commitment prevents you from stopping by, or your meeting in the Loop runs late and you're not back in the 'burbs until the vendors have packed up.
Later this summer you'll be able to access locally grown produce along your daily commute, that is if you drive the area's tollways.
Boxes of produce will be delivered weekly to Illinois Tollway Oases (Des Plaines, O'Hare, Lake Forest and Hinsdale among them) through a community supported agriculture (CSA) program.
Through a CSA, you purchase a share of a farm and each week get a share of the crops. Oases management, U.S. Equities Asset Management, has reached out to one downstate farmer and two farmers in southern Wisconsin to establish Wednesday produce pickups.
"This program grants commuters a convenient way to support sustainable agriculture and helps remove barriers that CSA farms face in reaching consumers," said Sundee Wislow, director of sustainability for the management company.
To participate in the oases CSA program, customers sign up for shares directly with the farm and select their pickup location. Shares cost between $330 and $695 depending on the length of the drop-off season, generally 12 to 20 weeks. Find information on the farms' Web sites: harvestmoonorganics.com; scotchfillfarm.com and tripleavegetables.com.
"With hundreds of thousands of commuters driving under the Tollway Oases each day, we can reach many without having to establish a drop off location in each suburb," said Tony Ends of Scotch Hill Farms. "It's really a win-win for everyone."
Here's the scoop: 31 Cent Scoop Night is back at area Baskin-Robbins shops. Between 5 and 10 p.m. today, April 28, you can enjoy a 21/2 ounce scoop.
Last year the B&R served more than 4 million scoops during the event.
The event also raises awareness and money for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation will donate $100,000 to the firefighters organization.
On tap: Mario Rizzotti, Italian culinary specialist for Academia Barilla, will be demonstrate the proper way to taste and evaluate olive oils and balsamic vinegars from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 1 at The Olive Tap, 240 Robert Parker Coffin Road, Long Grove.
Rizzotti, who has appeared as a judge on Food Network's "Iron Chef America," stops by the shop during the town's famed Chocolate Fest. In honor of the festival, The Olive Tap is featuring its Dark Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar.
Find details on the Rizzotti visit at (847) 478-8741 and more on Long Grove Chocolate Fest, April 30 to May 2, at longgroveonline.com.
Best of the Fests: Tickets are on sale now for one of the suburbs' premier culinary events, Chefs Fest 2010, 5 to 8 p.m. May 11 at Arlington Park Racecourse.
Produced by the Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau, the food and beverage tasting extravaganza features nearly 70 local restaurants and is expected to attract about 2,500 hungry visitors. Participating restaurants include Big Shot Piano Lounge & Restaurant in Arlington Heights, Bob Chinn's Crab House in Wheeling, Chandler's Chop House & Banquets in Schaumburg, Dave & Buster's in Addison and Ruth's Chris Steak House in South Barrington. Roselle's Lynfred Winery is back by popular demand, presenting a Wine 101 seminar.
To round out the evening there will be live barbershop and jazz music and a food drive to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Last year's attendees brought more than 20 cases of nonperishable items that went to those in need.
Tickets cost $30; $35 if purchased at the door. Get a group of 10 or more together and advance tickets drop to $25 each. Parking is free. Get tickets at chefsfest.com, by calling (847) 490-1010 or by stopping by the Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau office, 1375 E. Woodfield Road, Suite 120, Schaumburg, IL 60173.
- Deborah Pankey
• Contact Food Editor Deborah Pankey at food@dailyherald.com or (847) 427-4524. Listen to her discuss food and restaurant trends on Restaurant Radio Chicago, 5 to 6 p.m. Saturday's on WIND 560 AM.