Slow Food Chicago

09/22/2026

Looking to get your hands dirty and feel connected to the earth? Maybe you just want to catch grasshoppers and eat some fresh produce.

We don't judge your gardening style and welcome anyone to join us this Sunday.

RSVP at the link in our bio or find it on our eventbrite

09/07/2026

This past weekend Slow Food Chicago board members visited the preSERVE garden and did some routine gardening and maintenance. We were also lucky enough to enjoy some of the Ark of Taste crops that we have growing in the garden.

Our volunteer opportunities for the preSERVE garden are back on a biweekly basis. We limit it to 5 people at a time so please head over to our eventbrite to reserve your spot. Link in bio.

Our next opportunity is this coming Sunday 9/13 from 10am-noon

01/05/2026

Slow Food Chicago is growing 🌱 and we’re looking for passionate community members to join our 2026 Board.

If you care about good, clean, and fair food—and want to help shape the future of our local food system—we’d love to hear from you.

Apply or nominate someone you admire—link in LinkTree.

04/21/2025

Slow Food Chicago book club, spring edition! 📚🌱

Join us on Sunday, May 18th from 2-3pm at the Merlo Branch Library as we dive into The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This short but revolutionary essay explores reciprocity, abundance, and the gift economy within our food and economic system—and we can’t wait to unpack it with our slow food community.

🗓️ Sunday, May 18th from 2-3pm
📍 Merlo Branch Library (644 W Belmont) in the large meeting room
✨ Expect cozy vibes, thoughtful conversation, and a chance to connect over local food. Potluck snacks optional!

Need a copy? Check your local library or support an indie book shop on Independent Bookstore Day, this Saturday April 26!

Grab your (free) tickets soon before they sell out! See you there 🐌

10/14/2024

Some facts about Chicago's indigenous food ⬇️

1. Chicago has the third largest urban population of self-identified indigenous people in the United States. Despite this, there are no brick and mortar restaurants in the city serving the local indigenous cuisine. HOWEVER, you can still support native businesses like - a pop up kitchen and catering business focused on indigenous dishes.

2) The word "Chicago" is a French mispronunciation of the Miami-Illinois word for ramps. Several tribes use this type of onion in their traditional meals, cold remedies, and other cures.

Over-harvesting of wild ramps has earned this plant an unwanted spot on the protected species list in many states. Tennessee even considers them to be "commercially exploited". While delicious, it is important we stop threatening our namesake plant.

3) There cannot be good, clean, and fair food for all without food sovereignty!

10/04/2024

I spy, with my little eye, Slow Food at work 👀 ➡️

The Ark of Taste is a living catalog of delicious, local foods facing extinction. Now, you can pick up a copy at !

Whether you want to learn about biodiversity or add a gorgeous coffee table book to your collection, the Ark of Taste is for you. 🌱

Go check it out at Jainie's Mill. Bonus, you could also buy some quality stone-ground flour while you're there.

09/26/2024

09/25/2024

09/13/2024

Chocolate isn't always so sweet 🍫
 
The world is connected by chocolate. Literally. The global demand for the sweet treat has lead to a rocky history. 
 
In honor of this international holiday, take a moment to reflect and respect the ways chocolate ends up on your plate. Then, let's keep working towards a slower (and sweeter) food system.

09/04/2024

Our hard work is paying off 💪
 
As we approach harvest season, we just want to take a moment to thank all our of PreSERVE Garden volunteers and supporters. Thanks to y'all we saw real growth (literally!) 

See you at the garden 💚💚💚