Welcome to The Chicago Farmers

The Midwestern United States, often referred to as a breadbasket region, is one of the richest agricultural areas on our planet.  Chicago is the largest city in this region and historically has been the center of agricultural trade and agribusiness within this country.  While little agricultural production occurs in the Chicago city limits, agriculture and its affiliated businesses still play an important role in the Windy City’s 21^st century economy with the presence of recognizable brand name food manufacturers who have their corporate and regional offices located here.

Agriculture is at an interesting point in time. Within the United States, awareness of healthy eating, healthy lifestyle choices and rethinking of food within our culture continues at a fast pace.  Food consumption, and by extension agriculture, has become a trendy topic, with the spotlight shedding light both positively and negatively on an industry that hasn’t always received the focus it should.  Efforts such as New York’s ban on large soft drinks and labels showing calorie counts would have seemed bizarre 15 years ago.  Who then could have pictured Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel and USDA’s Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack having a press event and roundtable discussion in a western neighborhood of Chicago to talk about local food options and nutrition?  

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