Our Commitment to Local Vendors
At Prairie Food Co-op, supporting local producers is at the heart of what we do. When you shop here, you're not just buying food — you're investing in our regional economy, reducing environmental impact, and building a more resilient food system.
We prioritize stocking food and products that are grown, raised, or made as close to our store as possible — with a focus on farms and makers in Illinois and the surrounding area.
A Special Partnership: Down at the Farms
We’re proud to be one of the only grocery stores partnered with Down at the Farms — a first-of-its-kind network that connects the region’s best family farms to top chefs, restaurants, and now, to Prairie Food Co-op.
This unique partnership allows us to offer a much wider variety of high-quality, locally grown food than most stores our size — without overwhelming our in-house team. Down at the Farms works with over 120 family farms right here in Illinois, and thanks to this partnership, YOU get access to them, too.
Every product is labeled with the farm it comes from. However, we may not always know ahead of time which farms will be included in each delivery. Some will be regulars (and are listed here), while many others will rotate based on season and availability.
This is a powerful way we can support more small farms and keep your local food options growing — and we’ll always be transparent about where your food comes from.
What to Expect from Our Local Selection
We’re already working with a growing number of incredible local vendors — and we’re just getting started. That said, our local selection will expand over time, and here’s why:
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Farming is seasonal – Some items are only available certain months of the year
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Small producers need time to scale – Many local vendors are building capacity to meet our store’s demand
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Reliable delivery takes coordination – Establishing regular, sustainable delivery schedules with small vendors is an ongoing process
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We onboard carefully – We take time to ensure new vendors meet our quality standards and align with our mission
We’re committed to growing our local offering with care and integrity. Your support helps make that possible.
Meet Our Local Vendors
These are just some of the farmers, bakers, cheesemakers, and producers helping us bring fresh, ethical, and community-rooted products to your table.
*We will be adding new local vendors weekly, so this list may change or grow quickly. Our team is focused on supporting customers in the store, so thanks for your patience as we keep building your co-op!
Produce
Atmosphere Farms (mushrooms) https://atmospherefarm.com - Woodstock, Illinois
Bland Family Farm https://www.blandfamilyfarm.com - Jacksonville, Illinois
Down at the Farm - 100+ local (Illinois) fruit, vegetable, and meat products - Fairbury, Illinois
Grateful Egg Farm (microgreens) https://thegratefuleggfarm.com - Riverwoods, Illinois
Spira Farms (microgreens) https://spira.farm - Lemont, Illinois
Meat
Jake’s Country Meats https://jakescountrymeats.com - Cassopolis, MI
Eggs and Dairy
Bland Family Farm (eggs) https://www.blandfamilyfarm.com - Jacksonville, Illinois
Kilgus Milk https://kilgusfarmstead.com - Fairbury, Illinois
Specialty Cheese
Prairie Fruits and Creamery https://www.prairiefruits.com - Champaign, Illinois
Ropp Jersey Cheese https://www.roppcheese.com - Normal, Illinois
Bread and Baked Goods
Central Illinois Bakehouse https://cibakehouse.com - Champaign, Illinois
Silverland Bakery https://silverlandbakery.com - Forest Park, Illinios
Grocery
Cahokia Rice https://www.cahokiarice.com - McClure, Illinois
El Molcajete Sauces https://www.elmolcajetesauces.com - Evanston, Illinois
Green Garden Mama (flowers) https://www.greengardenmama.com - Lombard, Illinois
Heads Red BBQ http://www.headsredbbq.com - Roselle, Illinois
Heray Spice (Halal certified spices) https://herayspice.com - Chicago, Illinois
Janie's Mill https://www.janiesmill.com - Ashkum, Illinois
Manna Organics https://mannaorganicbakery.com - Lisle, Illinois
Maple Valley Cooperative https://www.maplevalleysyrup.coop - Cashton, WI
Phoenix Bean Tofu https://www.phoenixbean.com - Chicago, Illinois
Premola Granola https://www.premolagranola.com - Warrenville, Illinois
Rollicking Buckaroo (jams/spices) https://buckaroopepperjam.com - Chicago, Illinois
Spiritus Coffee https://spirituscoffee.com - Lombard, Illinois
Wellness
FuFluns (tinctures) https://fuflunsfoods.com - Chicago, Illinois
Soapy Roads https://www.soapyroads.us - Lombard, Illinois
Sol Food Natural Soaps https://solfoodsoaps.com - Fox River Grove, Illinois
Spirits
Alter Brewing https://www.alterbrewing.com - Downers Grove, Illinois
Chicago Cane Cooperative https://www.chicagocane.com - Chicago, Illinois
Cedar Ridge Distillery https://cedarridgedistillery.com - Swisher, Iowa
Church Street Brewing https://churchstreetbrew.com - Itasca, Illinois
Coppercraft Distillery https://coppercraftdistillery.com - Holland, MI
Driftless Glen Distillery https://driftlessglen.com - Baraboo, WI
Koval https://www.koval-distillery.com - Chicago, Illinois
Minocqua Brewing https://www.minocquabrewingcompany.com - Minocqua, WI
Ritual Zero Proof (Alcohol-free spirits) https://www.ritualzeroproof.com - Chicago, Illinois
Sketchbook Brewery https://www.sketchbookbrewing.com - Skokie, Illinois
Standard Meadery https://www.standardmeadery.com - Villa Park, Illinois
Thatcher’s Organic Artisan Spirits https://thatchersorganic.com - Holland, MI
Tighthead Brewing https://www.tightheadbrewing.com - Mundelein, Illinois