A Healthy Environment for Appetite

by Andy Angelos

Human health and environmental issues are intrinsically linked.   Both human health and the environment are also connected to food - a familiar topic to Chicagoans.  As Theresa highlights through the Enjoy section, culinary treasures are abundant in Chicago’s many ethnic neighborhoods and upscale cultural districts.  In addition to restaurants, however, Chicago also boasts a number of food distributors dedicated to locally-grown, small-scale, organic farms.

Chicago based Goodness Greeness is the Midwest’s leading provider of fresh organic produce.  Since 1991, the Scaman brothers have supplied regional supermarkets and independent retailers with healthy ingredients to satiate Chicago’s refined palate.   Goodness Greeness is also in the business of education, with Rodney Scaman recently speaking at a local health rally about Food Deserts.  A Food Desert is a neighborhood disconnected from supermarkets but within close range of fast-food and liquor stores.   Not surprisingly, residents of Food Deserts suffer from a disproportionate amount of diet related illnesses.  Connecting with people in Food Deserts allows the Goodness Greeness team to distribute both knowledge and produce for happier and healthier Chicagoans.

Irv & Shelly’s Fresh Picks is another regional company dedicated to healthy lifestyle and sustainable food production.  Rather than supply retailers with produce like Goodness Greeness, Irv & Shelly’s Fresh Picks delivers organic and local food to Chicagoans year round.   The company also offers a variety of natural meats, poultry, and dairy products to complement their fresh produce.

Next time you are struggling to choose from one of Chicago’s mind-boggling number of restaurants, add the possibility of cooking a locally grown healthy meal to the list of options.  Eating is so complicated in this city!