By Ben SzalinskiCapitol News Illinoisbszalinski@capitolnewsillinois.com A new Illinois state program took effect Saturday to provide food benefits to people who have recently become ineligible because of federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger, or FRESH, program started August 1 after state lawmakers
The Oswego Police Department is partnering with Red Robin to host a Tip-A-Cop fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics Illinois Tuesday, Aug. 11. Community members are invited to dine at Red Robin, 2860 Route 34, Oswego, where Oswego police officers and other first responders will trade in their badges for serving trays
The 15th annual Veggie Fest will offer free admission and free parking from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. August 8-9, at Danada South Park at Navistar Circle, Lisle. At the event there will be great food at the international food court with live music from some of Chicago’s best bands.
The Southeastern Kane County TRIAD will hold its annual senior picnic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Phillips Park, Main Pavilion, Aurora. The annual picnic is a great event supporting seniors with live music, great food, vendors, community partners, and BINGO. Cost is $7, with a
Ingredients1/2 cup uncooked white rice1/2 cup nori (roasted seaweed), crumbled1 English cucumber, cut into 1 inch strips2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and cubed2 cups shredded imitation crabmeat2 teaspoons wasabi powder, or to taste1 tablespoon mayonnaise1 tablespoon soy sauce1/4 cup rice wine vinegar1 tablespoon white sugar1 teaspoon sesame oil1 tablespoon sesame seeds
The Southeastern Kane County TRIAD will hold its annual senior picnic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Phillips Park, Main Pavilion, Aurora. The annual picnic is a great event supporting seniors with live music, great food, vendors, community partners, and BINGO. Cost is $7, with a
The Aurora Police Department’s honor guard will host a fundraiser Saturday, Aug. 8 from 1 p.m. to midnight at Southbank Original Barbecue, 129 E. Hydraulic Ave., Yorkville. The event will feature a raffle and live band. —Al Benson
The 15th annual Veggie Fest will offer free admission and free parking from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. August 8-9, at Danada South Park at Navistar Circle, Lisle. One of North America’s largest vegetarian food and wellness festivals, Veggie Fest is gearing up for another incredible weekend of food, fun,
Ingredients2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened3/4 cup mayonnaise1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies, drained1/4 cup diced hot jalapeno peppers, with juice1 cup diced mild jalapeno peppers, drained1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Directions1. Stir together cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese in a
Even in a community known for opportunity, hunger affects an estimated 64,000 Kane County residents at any given time. Throughout July, Kane County Connects is spotlighting the work of the Northern Illinois Food Bank and its partners as they fight hunger and expand access to nutritious food across Kane County.
With farmers market season underway across Illinois, low-income older adults may be able to get help buying fresh, local produce. The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), administered jointly by the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), offers income-eligible older adults benefits in
Ingredients1 (16 ounce) can refried beans1 pound ground beef1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mixolive oil4 (6 inch) corn tortillas8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese8 tablespoons sour cream2 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped2 green onion, chopped1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles, drained1/2 avocado, diced1 tablespoon black olives, sliced Directions1. Heat the
From farm to table to trash can, what happens to food is bigger than leftovers. Producing food uses valuable resources like water and fuel, and when uneaten food ends up in landfills, it contributes to financial losses, social inequity, and environmental harm. Illinois households are invited to be part of
Our Legacy Initiative (OLI) has launched The OLI Patriotic Garden, a movement inspired by the Victory Gardens of World War I and World War II. During the war efforts, American families came together to grow their own fruits and vegetables to help ensure the nation had plenty of fresh food
The free Plano Food Pantry will offer a box of canned goods, fresh fruit, and veggies, frozen meat, bread, milk, eggs from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 17 at First Lutheran Church in Plano, 200 N Center Street. Bring a food pantry card, if you have one. If
Ingredients4 cloves garlic, minced1 teaspoon kosher salt1 pound ground beef3 tablespoons grated onion3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley1 tablespoon ground coriander1 teaspoon ground cumin1/4 tablespoon ground cinnamon1/2 teaspoon ground allspice1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper1/4 teaspoon ground ginger1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper28 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes Directions1. Mash the
Aurora Fastpitch Softball Association (AFSA) will hold “BBQ at the Ballpark Night,” a fundraiser, Friday, July 10 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Pierce Field, 1255 Jackson St., Aurora. Food will be provided by 5Bs barbecue, with three meal options: Two pork chops, a half chicken or a combo.
Ingredients1 teaspoon vegetable oil1 (4 pound) pork shoulder roast1 cup barbeque sauce1/2 cup apple cider vinegar1/2 cup chicken broth1/4 cup light brown sugar1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce1 tablespoon chili powder1 extra large onion, chopped2 large cloves garlic, minced1 teaspoon liquid smoke1 teaspoon lemon juice8 hamburger buns, split2
Ingredients1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed1 green bell pepper, chopped1 red bell pepper, chopped1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn kernels1 red onion, chopped1/3 cup olive oil1/3 cup red wine vinegar2 tablespoons fresh lime
By Molly A. WallaceMedill Illinois News Bureaunews@capitolnewsillinois.com President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” severely impacted two of Illinois’ most economically vulnerable groups: The hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans set to lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance this year and the small farmers who are losing them as
