Thank you to our friend Chef James of JustVeggiez here in Madison for supplying us with locally-made vegan “Chix”! Chef James and his family do amazing and flavorful things with veggies and are always looking for new ways to help you enjoy healthier versions of your favorite comfort foods without sacrificing flavor. They have a restaurant on State Street and we can’t recommend this Black-owned and family-operated establishment enough!  

Cedar Grove Cheese traces its beginnings all the way back to 1878. Today, this family-owned operation produces a variety of organic, specialty cheeses, like the crumbly white cheddar from 2018 (!) in your panzanella salad. Cedar Grove guarantees the best cheese you’ve ever tasted — without artificial growth hormones, animal enzymes, or genetically modified ingredients. And, they spread the Wisconsin love, buying milk from over 30 Wisconsin farmers!

Started in 2011, Elderberry Hill Farm is a small diversified organic vegetable farm located on 6 acres just north of Lake Mendota. We love that Farmer Eric is dedicated to sustainable farming and, like us, is focused on improving our local food system, partnering with non-profits like Healthy Food for All and working with UW’s Seed to Kitchen Collaborative. But, best of all, he grew ALL the vegetables — carrots, turnips and beauty heart radishes — for your cook kit!

Ever hear of the “fifth season”? It historically refers to the various ways people preserve food — like canning, freezing or drying — in order to enjoy local harvests well beyond the growing season and to extend the bounty! The Fifth Season Cooperative, based in Viroqua, is named after this concept and their locally-grown, frozen vegetable blends provide local flavor year round. The blends are rich in flavor, packed with nutrition and are certified organic!