Roots, Eggs, & Greens A CHARITABLE PROJECT OF COGRO BIODYNAMIC GROWERS
Founder’s daughter
Roots, Eggs, and Greens (“RE&G”) is a charitable project affiliated with CoGro Biodynamic Growers, a Black woman co-owned and operated biodynamic grower based in Chicago Heights focused on sustainable plant-based eating, heirloom African American food, and farm-to-kitchen table eating. Through a 3-year-old CSA program, CoGro has distributed heritage and heirloom vegetables, and works with small BIPOC-owned restaurants in Chicago Heights.
Mission
To participate in local food systems through a farm campus with interconnected programs geared toward sustainable energy, elder-led job training and education.
Vision
To continue Black Farming Heritage by honoring the nature-balanced practices of our farming ancestors through a commitment to farmland, ancestral knowledge, and by growing our heritage foods, and by supporting the regeneration of a community as a hub for local programming, healthy food advocacy, encouraging sustainable farm development for the future of local food systems.
Founder at age seven
Service
Growing food to share through a farmers market in Chicago Heights, Bloom Township food pantry, and partnership with local restaurants to prepare meals for local elders and their families. RE&G hosts local events where they educate about vegetarian and healthy eating, and have fun together and grow community.
“THE PROGRAM HAS BUILT THE FOUNDATION FOR OUR FUTURE. IT GAVE US THE GROUNDING, THE TECHNICAL SUPPORT, THE SOCIAL SUPPORT. IT HAS BUILT THE DOOR.””
Microgrant Program Impact
Throughout the program, food was grown and donated to a local restaurant partner to provide free meals for elders in Ford Heights, Chicago Heights, and Bloom Township. Food grown on the farm included eggs, sweet potatoes, kale, collards, mustards, lima beans, cucumbers, acorn squash, tomatoes, carrots, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbages, and chard. Youth from local schools visited on a monthly basis, and a new farmers market was initiated in downtown Chicago Heights.
Special Thanks to Photographer Blake Bonaparte (@ayeee_itsblake) Brittany Wright of Yo’ Little Business Southland Development Authority Real Foods Collective UI Extension - Local Food Systems & Small Farms Team
This program is supported by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $25,124,437 to the Cook County Department of Public Health with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official view of, nor an endorsement by, CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.