Chicago Non-Traditional Grocery Options
Pre-COVID, dining out was one of my favorite things to do. It’s a great way to destress from a busy work day and catch up with friends. It was always a part of my weekly routine and I would dine out frequently.
When the pandemic hit in March, I remember going to Whole Foods the day my office announced we would be working from home for the foreseeable future. The grocery store was a madhouse with the frozen food aisles and toilet paper completely ransacked. I stocked up (but not in a overly crazy way) since I didn’t know what was going on or when I would be able to go to the store next. I didn’t go to a restaurant or order takeout for over a month. For someone who eats out several times a week - it felt like forever! I ordered takeout for the first time in April when more restaurants reopened for to-go orders.
The restaurant industry was one of the most impacted by COVID-19 and is still struggling to make it today. During this time, I donated to a few of my favorite restaurants. I felt the need to do something to support an industry that I feel so passionately about and can not imagine a world without them!
Many restaurants and their suppliers (local farmers) had to pivot strategies since serving customers in the traditional ways they were used to wasn’t going to be the same and there has been a decrease in demand. Local restaurants have started to offer customers ways to access local organic farmers supplies and curated cooking kits as an alternative to just dining in or takeout.
If you’re looking for a way to support small businesses and get amazing groceries from organic/local farmers checkout this list.
RealGood Farm Box: Farm/grocery box selection of fruit/veggies changes weekly based on what’s in season. You can also add on items to your box from freshly baked bread, eggs, juices, pantry items, dairy products, etc. They also have been partnering with local restaurants like Bang Bang Pie, Manny’s Deli (bagels anyone?!) and others to create meal kits. They are donating 10% of proceeds for every box to the Frontera Farmer Foundation which supports local farmers AND for every box purchased they donate a box to a needy Chicago household.
Monteverde Mercato: One of Chicago’s best italian restaurants is offering market items from their “mercato”. On the menu you can order fresh pasta, dried pasta, olive oils, honey, gourmet meats/cheeses, fresh products from local farmers, baked goods, sauces (their pesto is AMAZING) and more. They are offering Takeout and Market items for curbside pick-up, by car or on-foot, as well as delivery.
Publican Quality Meats: Publican Quality Meats (AKA PQM) is a butcher shop, neighborhood café, bakery and gourmet market, located in Chicago’s meatpacking district (Fulton Market). For the meat eaters out there, you can order a delicious sandwich from their deli (the PQM club is my fave) and get fresh meats (beef, pork, chicken, charcuterie, sausage, deli meat etc.). They also have fresh baked bread and condiments. They are also doing delivery/drop off in the suburbs. They have been offering different meals kits like back to school lunches and Yom Kippur breaking the fast dinners.
Girl & the Goat-ceries: Stephanie Izard (top chef winner and Chicago restaurateur) is offering curated meal kit packages that include cooking instructions. You can also order other items including pantry items and fresh baked goods from Little Goat Bakery.! Selections change weekly and menus for each weekday and weekend meal kit.