Local Partnerships

Candid Fare dinners highlight a local non-profit, organization, or small business making positive changes in our food systems and the local community. Each partner will be announced as a surprise guest upon arrival. We are proud to highlight the good work being done in and around the Chicago-land area.

November 2023 Partner

Laura Tillman is a journalist, audio producer, and the author of The Migrant Chef: The Life and Times of Lalo García.

Visit Website

November 2023 Partner

Plant Chicago was established in 2011 as the anchor for the project known as The Plant, a collaborative community of food businesses on the southwest side of Chicago. For 8 years, Plant Chicago supported the ever evolving project and brought tangible benefits to the surrounding community. Plant Chicago is now in the process of renovating an abandoned firehouse as a center for circular economy programming in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago.

Visit Website

Visit Instagram

Past Partners

Burlap & Barrel sources incredible spices for professional chefs and home cooks. B&D partners directly with smallholder farmers to source spices that have never been available in the US before *and* help improve the livelihoods of our partner farmers.

A digital marketplace for discovering and shopping for ethnic groceries. Oja Express connects immigrants and foodies to local ethnic grocery stores.

In discovering colorful corals and powerful sharks at Shedd, you’re connected to their wild counterparts—and the conservation research of Shedd scientists. Scientists from Shedd’s Daniel P. Haerther Center for Conservation and Research conduct research to better understand wild animals and their habitats, helping us work with partners to build management strategies to protect them. 

Open Water is ultra-purified, electrolyte-packed canned water in BPA-free aluminum packaging. Open Water uses the most recycled packaging in the world. Open Water is the 1st and only certified climate neutral bottled water brand. They offset all of the emissions created not only by their packaging, but by their company operations as a whole.

First Curve offers herbal consultations, education, & apothecary, based in Chicago & rooted in the Great Lakes Bioregion

Plant Chicago equips people and businesses with the tools to live more sustainably through community-driven, hands-on programs and innovative research projects.

The American Indian Association of Illinois provides expert educational programs, extensive academic/social support and financial planning for students and families to access and be successful.

Local Foods helps bring farm-to-table to life by connecting small providers with shoppers all across Chicago.

*Growing Home* is a USDA-Certified Organic urban farm, workforce development center and non-profit social enterprise in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago.

*the SHUDIO* is a unique hybrid consisting of a retail shop stocked with eco conscious goods and a jewelry metalsmith studio

Fun and approachable wine education. Slik Wines is a team of passionate sommeliers that specialize in events, consultations, and entertainment.

Building socially just community with girls, transgender youth, and gender expansive youth by developing leadership, fostering self-esteem, and encouraging creative expression through music.

Veteran Roasters Coffee proudly provides job security to at-risk veterans.

The Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, Illinois, United States, is a public garden, and outdoor museum with a library, herbarium, and program in tree research including the Center for Tree Science.