Click the image above to read our EXPO in Review (700K) Click the image above to view the 2005 EXPO Show Directory (2mb)

On March 6 and 7, 2005, Sustain held the first ever FamilyFarmed.org EXPO at Navy Pier. On Sunday, March 6, more than two thousand people attended the EXPO to meet 45 exhibiting organic farmers, farm co-ops and food producers who represented over 400 Midwestern farms. This full-day celebration was the largest event in the US with a local organic food focus. The EXPO made “Know Your Food. Know Your Farmer.” a reality by the EXPO connecting consumers with the people who grow their food. The day’s events included 19 workshops, 3 plenaries, a kids corner, a film festival, 6 chef cooking demos, and 25 other exhibitors related to food, farming, and health issues in the Midwest. Reports from farmers and attendees indicate that the event exceeded many expectations.

On Monday, March 7, the EXPO program included 11 farmer and trade oriented workshops. Notably twelve Chicago area supermarket chains and retailers came to the EXPO and announced their commitment to stock and sell food that carries the FamilyFarmed.org label. The group includes Whole Foods Market, Dominick’s, Treasure Island, Cub Foods, Sunset Foods, and other retailers that want to offer their customers the freshest local organic produce around. These retailers have the capacity to purchase tens of millions of dollars of local food and can lend valuable credibility to the FamilyFarmed.org program.


Here’s what some of the participants had to say:

“I am writing to congratulate you and your staff. The FamilyFarmed.org EXPO …appeared to come off without a hitch! Thanks to your efforts, and those of your staff, many family farms and other associated businesses had a forum to show the public the value of supporting local producers and the quality of the food we can produce right here in the Midwest.”
-Robert Scaman, Goodness Greeness

“ I’ve never seen buyers like Whole Foods, Sunset Foods or Wild Oats take so much time to chat or so show so much interest in the products. This was truly a great advantage for many of the vendors at the event. I believe both days were successful for Nokomis. I’ve already received several emails last night and today indicating that folks are heading out to stores trying to get our bread and one location was already out of the variety she was looking for. Incredible!”
-Tricia Riley, Nokomis Organic Bakery, East Troy, WI

“ Your direct consumer day and the media efforts that you used to promote the event were awesome!”
-Mike & Deb Hansen, Gifts from the Good Earth Farm, Milladore, WI

“ Scotch Hill Farm sold more than $1200 worth of product, gave away more than 400 brochures about our farmstead soap cooperative and our own fresh vegetable operation, added several strong event opportunities to the calendar, and made probably 10 strong contacts regarding bulk purchase of our farmers' milk soap products. On behalf of our seven farm families, please accept our sincere thanks for holding, organizing and promoting this event.”
-Tony Ends, Farmer of Scotch Hill Farm, Brodhead, WI

“ As farmers, we see a huge disconnect between the food we are growing and the people who are eating it. In a time when agriculture is contributing so much to the pollution of our resources—soil, water and air, it is so important that we citizen consumers understand where our food comes from and how it is grown. The FamilyFarmed.org EXPO stands out as a unique and fun way to learn and celebrate our connection to food and the farmers that deliver it day in and day out.”
-Theresa Marquez, Organic Valley, Wisconsin

For a schedule of the workshops held at the 2005 EXPO and bios on presenters click here.

For a detailed list of exhibitors click here.

For more information, call (312) 951-8999, ext. 120 or click here to send an email.