This project would develop a facility that would provide the equipment necessary to develop a variety of value added products as well as support entrepreneurs with food based businesses. The facility will be a business incubator that provides shared facilities such as a conference room, administrative support and internet services.
See Rutgers Food Innovation Center (http://www.foodinnovation.rutgers.edu/), Vermont Food Venture Center (http://www.edcnv.org/programs/northern_enterprises/food_venture/), New York State Venture Center (http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/necfe/resource_main.html) and the Logan Square Kitchen (http://www.logansquarekitchen.com/).
Architecture, Design and Engineering of Mobile Markets
and Produce Carts
This project will design the produce carts, mobile market vans and corner store kiosks and evaluate the prototype designs as well as how they function in actual service. After evaluation the best designs will become the catalyst for another manufacturing initiative for local and regional markets.
See Farm on Wheels (http://laist.com/2009/09/09/redesigning_the_farmers_market.php), NYC Green Carts (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cdp/cdp_pan_green_carts.shtml).
Architectural Design of Community Scale Markets and Grocery Stores
While chain grocery stores are often seen as the goal of providing food access there are other options in addition to projects such as food carts for providing access to healthy, high quality produce and grocery items. The development of a model that can expand into a chain of locally owned small markets is critical to developing the local economy and providing retail outlets for local and regional small and medium sized farmers.
The community scaled markets will potential be designed as manufactured buildings or built from existing materials such as old cargo containers. The platform for the community scaled markets can easily be replicated in communities in Chicago or throughout the region in communities that lack access to healthy food. The community scale stores will also be designed to take advantage of things such as renewable energy systems while also being centers for health education, cooking classes, etc.
The community scale markets are also perfect for integration into urban agriculture sites and potentially include rooftop applications as well.
See Inhabitat (http://www.inhabitat.com/2005/11/15/cargotecture/), Arch Daily (http://www.archdaily.com/26721/cargotecture-hybrid-architecture-assembly/), Green Fab (http://green-fab.com/blog/).
Green Affordable Housing Design Project
This program area is related to the design of manufactured, modular building design for the community scale markets. Some of the vacant lots are suitable for infill housing and offer the opportunity to design and construct modular residential multi-unit and single family buildings. This program area will also integrate green building, renewable energy and other ecologically sound practices into their design and construction.
farming and sustainability particularly as they relate
to developing healthy and sustainable communities.
The community areas that CUT programs will be
focused in are Greater Englewood (Englewood and
West Englewood), Chicago Lawn, Park Manor,
Chatham, Woodlawn, Washington Park and West
Garfield Park.
development projects primarily in Pembroke
Township and surrounding municipalities in Kankakee
County. The project being planned in the Pembroke
community is a farmer training and farmer incubation
program designed to train emerging farmers, bring
land in production in underserved rural communities
and increase the amount of locally produced food
available in Illinois generally and in particular
Underserved urban communities in the Chicago
Metropolitan Area.
Many of the programs that the CUT will be involved
will be in partnership with local community
development corporations and community
development organizations working in the
aforementioned communities.
Program development and actual programs are a
dynamic endeavor. That means that depending upon
numerous variables some programs mention herein
may not come to fruition, while other programs not
mentioned here may emerge.
