Second Annual Southland Local Food Systems Expo

Let’s lay the foundation for a sovereign local food system here in the southland! The Park Forest Event Commission presents the Second Annual Southland Local Food Systems Expo on Saturday, April 22 from 1-4 p.m. at Dining on the Green, 349 Main St., Park Forest, IL 60466. Learn how communities can come together to create positive change, lessening burdens on the environment and our health.

Meet and connect with local farmers! The expo features an extensive line up: Tulip Tree Gardens, Happy Life Ranch, Fox at the Fork Farm, Janie’s Mill, Ditto Foods, LLC., Multiple Harvest, Soileviah, Patrick the Mushroom Man of Peotone, Belluso’s 1871 Farm, Sonas Farms, Good Vibes, Wrought Iron Farm, Urban Canopy, the Illinois Stewardship Alliance and representatives from Park Forest’s own Farmer’s Market, Sustainability Office, and Community Gardeners.

Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are free but limited quantity. While walk-ins are welcome, priority will be given to ticket holders. Reserve your ticket here.

Parking is free. Light food and beverages will be available. This is a family friendly and handicap accessible event, but there will not be entertainment for children.

There will be a cash raffle to benefit the free seed library at the Park Forest Library.

Earth Month Events in Park Forest

The Village of Park Forest is spreading the word about sustainability by hosting a variety of events in honor of Earth Month during April. Upcoming events include:

April 15: “How to Make Your Home Sustainable” Talk from 10 a.m.-noon in the Village Hall Board Room, 350 Victory Drive

Environment Commissioner Jim Saxton will present steps you can take to make your home more sustainable.

April 22: Southland Local Food Systems Expo from 1-4 p.m. at Dining on the Green, 349 Main Street

An afternoon of food, fun and tons of information! Learn how communities can come together to create positive change, lessening burdens on the environment and our health. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are free but in limited quality. While walk-ins are welcome, priority will be given to ticket holders.

April 23: Sustainability Bus Tour from 1-2 p.m.

Tour the ground solar array at the Water Treatment Plant, visit the Central Park Wetlands and stop by a community garden. Space is limited, and registration is required.

April 29: Annual Free Shredding & Drug Take Back Event from 10 a.m.-noon in the Village Hall Parking Lot, 350 Victory Drive

Recycle sensitive documents and dispose of prescription drugs safely! Residency not required. Limit 2 copy paper-sized boxes of paper per vehicle. No three-ring binders, plastic sleeves, liquids or sharps. Pull up in your vehicle and the boxes will be retrieved from your trunk.

The Village of Park Forest is offers more than just the events listed above and in the handy graphic below. For a complete list of Earth Month events, please visit vopf.com/890/Earth-Month-2023 or go to villageofparkforest.com/sustainability for details and registration.