On Thursday, May 1st, 2025, students at Proviso Township High Schools District 209 got a taste of local food, from farm to tray! They got to participate in a taste test to try a regional black bean and beef blend patty. The taste test was conducted across three schools: Proviso Math and Science Academy (PMSA), […]
Continuing the Fight for Local Food in S...
As the saying goes, it isn’t easy being green. But it’s gotten even harder in recent months. Federal funding cuts are hitting environmental programs across the country, and are taking their toll right here in Illinois, as well. Seven Generations Ahead (SGA) has always been committed to building a sustainable, local foodshed, and we remain […]
Everything Local 2025: Fertile Ground fo...
The Illinois Farm to School Network (IFSN), a program of Seven Generations Ahead’s (SGA), has been hard at work making it easier for farmers and schools to connect so they can get sustainable and healthy food in more school cafeterias. This year’s Everything Local Conference proved to be fertile ground for growing farm to school […]
A ‘Core’ Memory: The Great Apple Crunch
Imagine the roar of the crowd at Wrigley Field, but this time it’s not for a home run. It’s the collective crunch of hundreds of students biting into crisp apples for the Great Apple Crunch! On Wednesday, September 18th, Seven Generations Ahead (SGA) spent the day at Wrigley Field, along with representatives from the USDA, […]
Farmers and School Buyers Connect at Eve...
Where better to connect local farms to schools that want to source local food than at the Illinois Farm Bureau’s Everything Local Conference? It took place January 17th – 19th this year in Springfield, and featured keynote speaker Chef Rick Bayless. But Illinois Farm to School Network’s program manager, Diane Chapeta, wasn’t there for the […]
Lake Michigan School Food System Innovat...
Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub Launches in Illinois to Fuel Change for Our Region’s School Food System Application opens on February 1; interested grant applicants can now register for launch event [Oak Park, Illinois], Jan. 11, 2024 — Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub announced today that it will open funding opportunities […]
We’re Going Big For Great Apple Crunch 2
Photo courtesy of Healthy Lombard The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting colder. Kids are heading back to school, and fall is in the air! We know pumpkins get a lot of love this time of year, but we’ve got our eyes on all those crisp, juicy apples at the farmer’s market. We’ve […]
Illinois Farm to School Coalition Bridge...
Seven Generations Ahead and the Illinois Farm to School Network are pleased to announce the formation of a new working group, the Illinois Farm to School Coalition. The coalition will engage in critical work to advance farm to school programs throughout Illinois, bringing healthier meals to school children, strengthening local economies and food systems, and […]
Gourmet Gorilla Brings the Farm to the C...
Gourmet Gorilla is a Chicago-based food service provider that creates local, sustainable meals for early childhood centers, K-12 schools, and other institutions. The company focuses on making healthy, nutritious meals that kids will love, with ingredients sourced primarily from around the Midwest. They have a unique procurement process that prioritizes relationships with local farms for […]
It’s Fall, and That Means Apple Crunch S
It’s that time of year again. The air is getting cooler, the trees are just beginning to show patches of red, yellow, and orange, and the apples are crisp and juicy. With the magic of fall also comes the joy of the Illinois Great Apple Crunch! The Great Apple Crunch is a celebration of fresh […]