Results tagged “hunger”

The USDA released its annual report on Household Food Security (which is a sanitized way of saying "hunger") yesterday and the results were sobering. An estimated 17 million households, or 14.6 percent of the population, has experienced "food insecurity" at one point in the past twelve months. These figures are the highest since the USDA started tracking numbers in 1995.

After years of planning, networking and raising funds, the Dill Pickle Food Co-op is finally set to open on November 21 at 3039 W. Fullerton. Neighborhood-owned co-ops aren't a new thing, but they are risible propositions in these times; the recent history of the former Hyde Park Co-Op stands as a reminder of how tricky running a grocery cooperative is. Dill PIckle Co-Op plans are ambitious: they'll be stocking fresh, local organic produce and claim to have one of the largest bulk food sections in the city.

In case anyone hasn’t gotten the memo, the economy sucks. In our beat, that usually means more coverage of expensive restaurants closing their doors, but there is a larger world beyond the reach of truffles and foie gras. Visits to the Greater Chicago Food Depository are up 35% this year, as more and more people need help to feed their families. Some of Chicago’s best chefs have decided to do something about it - and you can help them out. Plus, you can get some pretty amazing food. What could be better?

This year's festival draws to a close with tonight's Best of the Fest screenings. Two movies that we liked immensely, Sparrow and Hunger, get repeat showings, as well as eleven other features and a program of award-winning shorts. The full schedule is here.

The winners for this year's Chicago International Film Festival have been announced, and the top prize (known as the Gold Hugo) went to Hunger. We heartily concur. Even if we never have the occasion to see it again, this is a searing piece of cinema that we'll not forget. The film also won the Silver Hugo Award for Best Actor. Michael Fassbinder's portrayal of Bobby Sands was singled out for "exemplifying the ideal of 'being' rather than acting.'"

This is part of Chicagoist's coverage of the Chicago International Film Festival.

There have been recent depressing reports of food banks like the Greater Chicago Food Depository suffering from some negative effects of rising gas prices. But the month of June holds some fun and alternative ways to support this particular organization and help to fight hunger in Chicago: