Local First Home
                       
 
become a member

Benefits include:
* Advertise your events & sales in Chicago Happenings newsletters; Currently with over 21,000 subscribers!
* Promote your B2B deals on our website and in our Chicago Business Monthly newsletter; Currently with over 12,000 subscribers!
* Network with our 3,000+ participating business owners!
* Participate in Local First Chicago awareness campaigns & events.
* Local First Chicago door decal & use of logo.
* Free/reduced admission to Local First Chicago events.
* Opportunity for deals including reduced cost advertising.

Signup Today
 
 
newsletter sign-up
 

Local Sustainability Is An 'Oasis' In Chicagoland

The Coffee Studioby Melissa Ryzy


Fresh, LOCAL produce is moving to the fast lane this summer!

Great news for busy Tollway commuters! The Illinois Tollway and Oases property manager, U.S. Equities Asset Management, have partnered with three area farmers to bring a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program to Tollway commuters, just one of the many sustainable initiatives at the Oases. Now through mid-May, commuters can sign up to order boxes of seasonal, local produce that will be delivered weekly to participating Tollway Oases.

Local First Chicago spent a few minutes with Sundee Wislow, Director of Sustainability at U.S. Equities the other day to learn more about this pioneering venture. When asked why U.S. Equities began this venture, she replied that first, it was an environmental initiative to reduce the carbon footprint of transporting produce; second, it was a way to help local farmers supply suburbanites who might not have the opportunity to access fresh produce near their homes; and finally, it was an overall corporate commitment to continuing their best green practices and create new, innovative uses for the Oases. With more than 12 million commuters passing through Illinois Tollway Oases each year, it’s also a great way to promote and support local farmers, since in essence, by ordering produce through them, you’re actually buying a share of their farms. It’s provides a new amenity to the commuters, area residents and existing Oases tenants. It is of note that this is strictly a membership-based program, and sign up is done directly with the farm. You order your produce online and pick it up at the Oasis of your choice each week.

Ms. Wislow also reiterated the fact that you shouldn’t drop by your favorite Oasis expecting a Farmer’s Market! Local farmers mitigate the risk of excess inventory by using the pre-order membership system! So be sure to sign up by mid-May so that you can pick up delicious, organic and locally grown produce all summer long on your way home from work!

U.S. Equities is a commercial real estate firm headquartered here in Chicago and recognizing that commercial real estate has a significant impact on the environment, is dedicated to leading the sustainable real estate movement. Their portfolio includes 2 LEED EB certified and 5 Energy Star rated properties.

The 3 participating farms are:
Harvest Moon Farms -- www.harvestmoonorganics.com
Scotch Hill Farms -- www.scotchhillfarm.com
Triple A Vegetables -- www.tripleavegetables.com

Participating Oases are:

Belvidere Oasis, Belvidere, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90)
Harvest Moon Farms:  773-472-7950

Des Plains Oasis, Des Plaines, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90)
Harvest Moon Farms:  773-472-7950 -- www.harvestmoonorganics.com
Scotch Hill Farm:  608-897-4288 -- www.scotchhillfarm.com

Hinsdale Oasis, Hinsdale, Tri-State Tollway (I-294)
Harvest Moon Farms:  773-472-7950

Lake Forest Oasis, Lake Forest, Tri-State Tollway (I-94)
Harvest Moon Farms:  773-472-7950
Scotch Hill Farm:  608-897-4288
Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis, South Holland

Tri-State Tollway (I-294/80)
Triple A Farms: 815-405-3305

O'Hare Oasis, Schiller Park, Tri-State Tollway (I-294/94)
Harvest Moon Farms:  773-472-7950