The 2006 FamilyFarmed.org EXPO was a deliciously good time. Over 1500 attendees came to the beautiful Chicago Cultural Center in downtown Chicago to meet nearly 100 farmers and other sustainable business exhibitors–50% more than last year. Consumers sampled and purchased a delicious variety of sustainable food being raised locally in the Midwest by family farmers including fresh produce, artisanal cheeses and butters, grass raised meats, hand formed organic breads and pastries, maple syrup, yogurt, organic milk, and much more. 
The list of headliners throughout the two-day event was truly impressive–Mayor Daley, Patti Blagojevich, Carol Moseley Braun, Bill Kurtis, and Deborah Koons Garcia among others lent their support for family farmers and local organic food. Thanks to the endorsement of our speakers we expect more visibility for sustainable agriculture issues in the Midwest and more opportunity for Midwestern family farmers to connect with the lucrative Chicago market. Farmers have already reported that many new business and consumer connections were made at the EXPO.
Other highlights from the 2006 FamilyFarmed.org EXPO include chef demonstrations and tastings, an interactive kids corner, four farmer and trade-oriented workshops, and 12 consumer-oriented workshops featuring topics such as: Organic Eating on a Dime, From Farm to Classroom, Organic Lawncare, Sustainable Seafood Awareness, Genetic Engineering and Its Impact on Food Safety and Public Health, Neighborhood Approaches to Increasing Fresh Food Access and more. For a full listing of events please download the 2006 FamilyFarmed.org EXPO Show Directory.
Expo photo by Dan Merlo of Merlo Photography.