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Wedged in among other Mexican restaurants on a busy Southwest Side street, El Solazo stands out because, as one patron says, the food is just like “grandmother’s food — really good.” Owner Jose Barajas said his business has survived the recession because he knows what he has to do to be successful. “If you...
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Farmers looking to sell to their communities, families who want to support them or someone who just likes perusing tents of sunflowers and produce on Saturday mornings have plenty of opportunities in the Great Lakes area. Half of the top 10 states with the greatest number of farmers markets are in the Great Lakes...
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The busy morning traffic at Dat Donuts has subsided. Anne has just finished rearranging the freshly baked doughnuts and is cleaning the grill when two middle-aged women walk in, immediately heading for the doughnut case. The customers are greeted with a smile and pleasant “How are you?” from Anne. After a few minutes of...
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The Cornucopia Institute’s Organic Soy Report and accompanying Scorecard rates companies that market organic soy foods, such as soymilk, tofu and “veggie burgers.” The scorecard rates most major brands based on 10 criteria that are important to organic consumers. The report separates companies that follow the spirit and letter of the organic law from...
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Eating a Big Mac, a Whopper or a juicy Potbelly sandwich could come with a reminder for consumers in Illinois. State Rep. Deb Mell (D-Chicago) introduced a bill last month that would force chains such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway and Potbelly to disclose on their menu boards the number of calories contained in...
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Winter is usually a time for people to stay inside and keep warm. But on the city’s northwest side, residents are braving the elements and enjoying fresh, organic produce at the same time at the Portage Park Farmers Market. Babette Novak and Dirk Matthews, who created the Portage Park Farmers Market along with the...
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By Deborah Alexander, LISC Chicago’s New Communities Program Joyce Brown is no stranger to people in need. As the project coordinator for the Englewood Food Network, she’s been organizing food pantries and serving up meals to hungry clients for a long time. But during the past year, she’s seen a pronounced difference in the...
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Gritty storefronts, boarded-up gas station windows, graffiti-covered pavement and a plethora of fast food restaurants are the sights that will meet your eyes on a drive through one of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods. Located on the city’s West Side, Austin’s population is nearing 130,000, and as the population rises in what community activists call Chicago’s...
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With two restaurants located in the city, Uncommon Ground’s unique focus on fresh and organic goes from the food served to hungry customers to the rooftop farm that makes it an eco-friendly trailblazer. Uncommon Ground’s eatery at 1401 W. Devon is the first restaurant in the country to have a certified organic rooftop farm....
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By Deborah Alexander, LISC Chicago’s New Communities Program Adolph Parker opened his furniture store on South Cottage Grove Avenue in 1934, at the height of the Great Depression. Despite record unemployment, Parker’s business grew because he established good relationships with his customers, offering payment plans and credit, said Loron Kaplan, Parker’s great grandson and...
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