Mission Statement
Our mission is to make it easy to get great local food by rebuilding the connection between Chicago and surrounding farms. From growing the supply of organic food from small farms, to our efficient packing and delivery operation, we are committed to bringing you the freshest food in the most sustainable way.
Fresh Healthy Food
Food grown locally is picked at its peak of flavor because it can get to you quickly, unlike food that is shipped long distances and picked early for long shelf life. Not only is local food fresher and great tasting but its ripeness means it is packed with more vitamins and minerals for your good health. Being in tune with the land by eating local seasonal fare provides needed diversity in our diet and comfort from warming and cooling foods that match the seasons.
Humanely Raised Animals
Unfortunately, most animals in this country are raised on factory farms in confinement operations (even many natural and certified organic operations). Not only are these crate-filled, packed concrete environments heartbreaking to see, but they are also destroying the environment with their concentrated run-off of antibiotics, hormones and waste. Fortunately, locally raised animals are allowed to roam free in their natural environments using their natural instincts and social behaviors. Being out on the pastures with free range means their diets are as they should be, and their health and ours is stronger. It’s no wonder that local meat has bursting flavor and a smooth “stress-free” texture.
Support of Independent Farmers
When we buy local food, we are participating in fair trade and supporting the livelihoods of farm families and their local workers. They then support other local businesses creating a multiplier effect for rebuilding the local rural economy.
A Better Environment
Most food in this country is grown on large corporate factory farms that use pesticides, antibiotics and hormones that pollute the soil, water supply, air and wildlife all around them. The food then travels an average of 1500 miles to a retail location where it is sold, creating significant greenhouse gas emissions along the way. Local sustainable farms preserve our environment.
At Fresh Picks we will provide the greatest choice and abundance of local food as part of our goal for a better environment. By delivering our products to your door, we hope to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from grocery shopping car traffic, saving 50-100 car trips a day for each van of deliveries. We will consolidate truck trips of food getting to our warehouse from multiple farmers and use minimal packing and reusable bins when filling your orders of fresh food.
Food Security
When you buy your food from local farms, you know exactly where your food came from, the farmers that handled it and how it was raised. At Fresh Picks we will tell you which local farmer supplied the food in your order and you can learn all about the farm on our website.
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