Logan Square Mutual Aid

DONATE

Logan Square Farmers Market Food Rescue

volunteers needed sundays @ 2:30 pm

Hi Neighbors!
The Logan Square Farmers Market is a gem in our very own neighborhood. We love it and we know many of you do too. Do you ever wonder where leftover produce goes once the market closes?

Each week during farmers market season, volunteers with Chicagoland Food Sovereignty Coalition (CFSC) meet at the Logan Square Farmers Market to rescue food from Geneva Lakes Produce. During peak season, we rescue 40-50 large crates of produce (WOW!). This produce is redistributed through CFSC’s network, which includes Love Fridges, mutual aid groups, and community orgs.

Become a Volunteer!

We need more folks to help us rescue food from the Geneva Lakes stand. We typically need 6+ volunteers, and this season we’ve averaged 3 volunteers. Volunteering involves:

Saturday PM/Sunday AM:

  • Light coordination on Slack and WhatsApp (we can get you connected!).

Sundays 2:30-4pm (through October 26):

  • At 2:30 meet behind the Geneva Lakes stand (Kedzie & Altgeld). Bring a car if you have one!
  • Unload produce from Geneva Lakes crates into CFSC crates. Remove produce that is moldy/rotten.
  • Load produce into volunteers’ cars for transport to the CFSC NW Warehouse in Hermosa or to Love Fridges.
  • Meet at the NW Warehouse to unload produce for storage. We typically end around 4 pm!

Interested in supporting the Logan Square Farmers Market food rescue? YAY! We’re glad to have you! Fill out the CFSC volunteer form linked in our bio and send us an email at lsmutualaid@gmail.com to get plugged in. A regular volunteer from this food rescue will email with you (or text if you prefer) to answer your questions and get you set up to do the food rescue.

Reflections from a Regular LS Farmers Market Food Rescue Volunteer

I love the LS Farmers Market, but have always felt bad about where the unsold produce goes. When I found out about this volunteer opportunity, I was SO excited.

I enjoy this food rescue because it allows market lovers like me to literally save produce from the trash and be part of its redistribution. It’s really cool to see how much we rescue and how it fills up the Love Fridges and warehouse fridges, then ultimately ends up in the hands of neighbors who get to use it for nourishing meals.

What keeps me coming back is the amount of food we are able to rescue as a small but mighty team of volunteers. The work is hard but the volunteers are consistently dedicated and positive. I’m always bummed when I have to miss a week of this rescue since it feels so rewarding!

— Marjorie

Leave a comment