Gold Sovereigns, a program that gives at least $25 worth of free fresh foods to households in need, especially seniors, recent veterans, students away from home, is one of the highlights for persons attending the Family Fest Fresh Market in Aurora, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 24, Saint Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church, 1855 Fifth Avenue, Aurora. No embarrassing questions asked.
Teaching tents will offer free seminars on canning, why to choose grass-fed beef, and similar topics connecting our food choices with our health results and our environmental results, like our current flooding, tornado, and heat experiences. These on-site free learning seminars are another popular feature of this Fresh Market.
The Just Food Initiative of the Fox Valley sponsors this Market specifically for the neglected residents of the Southeast corner of Aurora, where households are heavily Hispanic and Black, with wage-earners working two and three jobs simply to keep food on the table. Unlike many other such markets, the Just Food Market is tightly vetted, with only high-quality foods featured and made affordable through financial help from Gold Sovereigns and Link Double Dollars.
No corporate supermarket brands or unhealthy food items are allowed in. All vendors are local and small independent food producers – our neighbors.
E and S Fish of Saint Charles features wild-caught fish, homemade mango salsa, homemade fish stews, all from Saida’s Mexican heritage. Wanda Farms of Hebron, feature all grass-fed meats, where Joe Wanda raises meat with sustainable soil standards, no hormones, no anti-biotics. Fae Fairy Fungi brings interesting varieties of mushrooms never found in any corporate supermarket.
Children are welcome, pets not. The event is wheelchair and disability accessible. Free entrance. Ample and free parking. Watch for feather banners inviting you in.
For more information, contact The Just Food Initiative of the Fox Valley at 331-302-8498 or at admin@justfood-foxvalley.org.
— Just Food Initiative of the Fox Valley