Uncategorized

Proposed District 161 strategic plan makes its first appearance

Area diners enjoy locally grown and prepared meals 
at a Locavore Farms Dine on the Land dinner. 

(Provided photo)

Rachael Jones, the former public relations and events coordinator for the Village of Homewood, moved her family in 2014 from the comfort of the suburb to Grant Park, Ill. to launch Locavore Farms. The family began the farm with a desire to provide the south suburbs with a “totally different dining experience,” says Jones.

The farm is capable of feeding 50 people throughout a regular week and they hope to expand that number in the future. Jones launched the farm with her husband Chris one year ago. The couple has 2 children, Nat and Evie.

“We wanted to see if this family can go out and do it,” said Jones. “We pick weeds while the kids run behind us.”

Locavore Farms is having a “Dine on the Land” event on Saturday, July 18. Guests will be seated at 5:30 p.m. Families can sit together and have a five-course meal utilizing the farms produce. Jones has coordinated with neighboring farms for dairy and meat products to uphold their desire to only serve locally grown food. Each dinner is served at a one hundred-foot handcrafted dining table.

Locavore Farms produces around 22 varieties of organic produce including kale, onions and purple carrots. They also provide pasture-raised, blue and brown eggs using no chemicals or synthetic fertilizers.

Prior to starting their farm, the Jones family had very little experience with farming. They had a passion and an idea and “jumped into it,” says Jones. The family loved living in Homewood but had a strong desire to create a space for people to “gather around the table and enjoy the labor of the small farmer.”

At the June 20 dining event, the farm had 1,100 people visit and fed 600 people throughout the day.

For Jones, the biggest challenge to the business is balance. Maintaining the farm, family and business all at once is difficult but she notes that “we all swing out of balance now and again and we don’t need to pretend to be perfect.”

Tickets are available for the Saturday “Dine on the Land” event. Jones expects 100 people to attend. In addition, Jones has planned discussions about sustainability, and local musicians will entertain and engage diners.

Locavore Farms is at 16146 E. 12000 Rd. N. County Line Road, Grant Park, Ill. For additional information, contact Jones at www.Locavorefarm.com.


An earlier version of this story included incorrect pricing and schedule information. For prices and to buy tickets, visit https://event.sparxo.com/ticket/locavorefarmjuly18. The HF Chronicle regrets the error.

News by email

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name

Free weekly newsletter

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name
Most read stories this week