May 5, 2020Chicago chef Bruce Sherman helps launch CSA featuring small-scale women farmers
A prominent Chicago, Illinois-area chef is helping out some regional produce growers during this unique period in history.
The following story was published May 4 in the Chicago Tribune.
The last time we heard from Bruce Sherman, the James Beard-winning chef was stepping down from North Pond restaurant (he remains a partner), contemplating the next chapter of his career.
That was then.
According to the Tribune story by its restaurant critic Phil Vettel:
“I’ve been emotionally fraught watching a lifetime’s work and the people/family associated with it suffer immeasurably with no end in sight,” Sherman said in an email. “While technically no longer in the ‘kitchen,’ the connection to the work and lives affected is no less painful.”
“As a need to do something helpful and more immediate — and frankly, to distract me for the next few months — I’ve built this small ‘project’ to help out some (farmer) friends who are also experiencing the painful reality of the pandemic,” he said.
That project is a collaboration among Sherman, his daughter, Kate, and six small-scale growers and producers. Together they’re putting together Thumbelina CSA, weekly boxes of fruit, vegetables, greens, bread, dried goods, eggs and flower bouquets, delivered every Wednesday to a pickup location in Evanston.
The first pickup will be June 3; the final pickup will be Sept. 30. Eighteen weeks/boxes in all, at a price of $720 (plus tax) for the season, which works out to $40 per box.
This CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) consists of women farmers and producers from Mick Klug Farms, Three Sisters Garden, Green Acres Farm, Ellis Family Farms, Petals Farm and Hewn Bread.
Each box, Sherman said, will hold enough for three or four meals for two people. The mix will vary from week to week (a loaf of bread every other week, for instance), and cannot be customized.
Advance payment for the entire season is required. Sign up, or find more information, at thumbelinacsa.com.”
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