Frequently Asked Questions

safe shopping

Our physical store is closed to the public so we can all stay safe, but we’re still here to bring you the best of the Midwest with online shopping and contactless delivery or pickup.

Fill out an easy form to get started. We’ll call, shop the store, and prepare it for your pickup.

concierge shopping

get started

Shop Local Foods on Mercato, then pick up curbside pickup or have it delivered.

Shop online

shop now

one weird trick:

Remind yourself to shop, anytime: email marketorders@localfoods.com, which will reply automatically with a concierge shopping link. Keep it in your mail until you’re ready to go.

get a link

Provisions

Local Foods Provisions boxes are available for quick order, any time.

order provisions

Get on the Local Foods mailing list!

Classes, discounts and more.

Shop now, with Mercato

Shop the whole store for next day delivery or pick-up now!

We use simple sourcing guidelines.

here’s how Chicago connects to the Midwest.

General Questions

Where is Local Foods?

Just off Elston, north of North Avenue, where Willow heads northeast. If you know landmarks better than street names: we’re near both Hideout and Home Depot.

What does “local” actually mean to Local Foods?

In almost every case, it means anything we can bring you that comes from within a day’s drive of Chicago. All products’ place of origin are marked, as are distances. We carry a few things the Midwest can’t grow—like avocados—which are clearly marked “beyond local.”

Here’s more about how we source products.

What is Butcher & Larder?

It’s Chicago’s only whole-animal meat shop where you’re able to buy cuts from animals responsibly raised on small, Midwest family farms. We provide meats that are free of hormones, antibiotics, and corporate interest.

What is Local Foods Café?

Local Foods Café, nestled in the middle of Local Foods market, uses the best ingredients from around the market to bring you the boldest flavors of the season. Everything is handmade each day, making it the perfect spot for lunch, brunch or any time.

Can I request Local Foods carry a product?

Absolutely. Please contact us here.

I’d like to work at Local Foods; are there any open positions?

We post open positions here, please contact us! We’re always looking for team members.

What is Handcut Foods?

Handcut Foods is one of our partner businesses, specializing in superior food, service and managment. They build custom menus around seasonal ingredients, from small farms whenever possible, bringing the same quality of food we sell at Local Foods to schools, events, companies… anything requiring larger-scale food-wrangling.

What is Mightyvine?

Mightyvine is one of our partner businesses, using next-generation farming techniques to produce fresh premium tomatoes, year-round, from right here in Chicago.

I produce a product I’d like Local Foods to carry or distribute, can I contact you?

Absolutely. Please contact us here.

Butcher & Larder

Are the sausages gluten free?

All the ingredients are on the name tags. There are no hidden ingredients, fillers or additives.

If I don’t cook this today, do I need to freeze it?

Nope. We recommend a 3–4 day shelf life on raw meat. After that, it can go in the freezer.

Is the meat pasture raised?

Yes. All our meat spends time on pasture. Anything they eat that isn’t out in the fields is grown on the farm by the same folks that raise the animals. It is organically grown, non-GMO grasses and corn and hay. The animals love it!

Can I get a whole chicken cut up?

Yes! We’ll cut it any way you like.

Do you sell game/exotic meats?

We can get Duck, Squab, Goat and occasionally Pheasant. It is illegal for us to get wild game that hasn’t been federally inspected. Sometimes one of our farmers will offer us Venison, but farmed Venison doesn’t taste like wild and it is very expensive.