Food:Land:Opportunity: Localizing the Chicago Foodshed focuses on creating a sustainable, equitable, and resilient local food economy in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas across the greater Chicago region. 

Located on rich soils near one of the world’s largest freshwater sources, the Chicago region provides a myriad of opportunities to shift our farming practices and food production from industrial practices to growing and providing healthy fresh food that is good for people and the planet. As we face the increasing impacts of climate change, the market for local and sustainable food production offers potential economic growth and positive conservation impact across the region. 

Since 2014, the Chicago region’s food system has matured. No longer working in “start-up mode,” the people who make up the system understand challenges, solutions, and where to experiment next. Overall, the food system is in a middle stage of development with increasing opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship and conservation.