Farmer's Fridge - Healthy and Handmade Just for You

Finding a healthy meal on the go in the city can sometimes be hard, even with many restaurants around. But during a work day, I often don't have time for a sit-down meal after ordering and waiting for my food.  Sure there's the drive-through at a fast food place - but I'm a firm believer that the only creatures that should eat food tossed to them from a window are seagulls.

And what if you work somewhere, where you don't have TIME to eat anywhere other than the employee cafeteria, such as at the airport, or in an office building somewhere?  Selections are often worse with a lot of high fat, high sodium offerings and the leftover burger today might be the chili tomorrow.

I've worked at places like that. I remember one work cafeteria wherein the first time I tried it I told my coworker "wow, this is really bad" to which he replied (opening his bagged lunch) "yes, but the nice thing is there's not much of it!"

I won't even get into some of the pre-packaged food at airport retailers.  When I was an airline pilot we used to hold one of those up and go "gee, carbon-dated for freshness".  (Sorry, I was a science geek even before changing careers.)

Then one day in Chicagoland I saw a machine - a bright green and white vending machine full of what looked to be freshly made salads, sandwiches, and snacks. My meal was SO fresh and yummy so  I contacted Farmer's Fresh and asked if I could do a review of them and use some of their photos and they said "sure!"

• Farmer's Fridge

is taking Chicago (and Milwaukee) by storm.  The creators of this company have, using amazing innovation and creativity, removed those roadblocks to eating wholesome, delicious food while on the job or out and about.  They work around the clock to keep their jars full of fresh ingredients every single day.  Anything left unpurchased at night is donated to community members in need.  How is that for a business model with heart?

It's REAL food, no shortcuts.  The meals and snacks are handcrafted, using local partners and seasonal ingredients whenever possible, delivered fresh every single morning.

They are people oriented, treating employees, partners, vendors, and customers with respect knowing what connects us is a shared passion for nourishing food they can be proud to serve.

The food is not just healthy, it's delicious and what follows is just a few of the current chef's selections.

Smoked Cheddar Cobb Salad
• Hand-chopped romaine lettuce with fire-roasted corn, applewood smoked cheddar cheese, grape tomatoes, carrots, and cucumber topped with hardboiled eggs and smoky bbq sunflower seeds. Served with housemade creamy honey-dijon dressing.

AB&J Half Sandwich
• House-ground almond butter, local fruit preserves, and fresh sliced strawberries on multigrain 1979 bread from Publican Quality Bread.

Cauliflower Fried Rice Bowl
• Ginger-sesame cauliflower rice with edamame, bell pepper, egg, scallions, topped with housemade pickled carrots and toasted sesame seeds. This is my favorite for a plant heavy tasty meal.

Tarragon Chicken Salad Wrap
• Housemade tarragon chicken salad made with seasoned free-range chicken breast, greek yogurt, Sir Kensington's mayonnaise, dried cherries, green apples, celery, and red onion with green leaf lettuce on a sprouted grains wrap from Angelic Bakehouse. Served with grapes.

Snacks such as:
Chips and Guac
Trail Mixes
Fresh Artisan Cheese
Acai Blueberry Tea-Infused Energy Squares

There are even selections for your morning that don't involve a drive through such as:

Almond Butter Oats Bowl
•Overnight gluten-free oats steeped in almond milk and a touch of maple syrup, topped with housemade almond butter, sliced banana, toasted coconut & cacao nibs.

Greek Yogurt & Granola Bowl
•Greek yogurt blended with vanilla bean and honey, topped with hand-cut apple, banana, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries & house-made granola using gluten-free oats.

McWho??

And beverages such as La Colombe Vanilla Draft Latte's (a frothy cold coffee drink in a can), fresh cold juices, and Brew Dr. Kombucha.

They are expanding regionally and their website has a location function that can tell you where the nearest Farmer's Fridge is from your location.  All food has the calorie counts done for you and allergen information is clearly posted.

So for my Chicagoland and Milwaukee readers, click on their name above to go check them out.  Wherever you are working or running errands, you should find one close to you.  

Your taste buds and your body will thank you.