A Slice of Home: Celebrate the Holidays with Locally Grown and Baked Goodness in Kane County

​

Only 5% of the food eaten in Illinois is locally grown — but this holiday season, you can help change that. Discover where to find locally sourced ingredients and delicious pies baked right here in Kane County.    

Most of what we eat travels many miles before it reaches our tables. With the holidays approaching, it's a great time to buy locally grown ingredients such as pumpkins, squash, and fruit for your favorite baked goods. And remember if an apple has a small bruise, it's still perfect for baking and avoids food waste.

As fall frosts arrive and winter snow begins to fall, it's officially pie season. Pies come in all shapes and sizes from small hand pies to classic round pies for slicing, to large rectangular slab pies perfect for feeding a crowd. Each style has its own signature crust and crimping.

For many, baking pies at home is a cherished holiday tradition, complete with favorite fillings, crusts, and toppings. But for those who run short on time, several local bakeries and farmstands are ready to help. We're featuring a selection of nearby spots that bake and sell holiday pies, many using their own farm-grown ingredients such as pumpkins and apples.

Be sure to call ahead or check their websites for reservation and pickup deadlines. While you're out, take the opportunity to enjoy some local scenery or go for a hike in one of the many preserves of the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. Visit their website https://kaneforest.com/locations for hours and locations.

Article by - Janice Hill, Kane County Agriculture Consultant and Land Transfer Navigator

Map by -  Catherine McKenna, Kane County Planner and GIS Specialist​