June is an incredible transitional month, from the light introduction of the first bright green vegetables of the season - asparagus, lettuce, and herbs - to the full onslaught of summer's bounty - berries, stone fruits, snap peas, zucchini, and beets - to name but a few. In Chicago, it can sometimes only take a few warm spring days to produce an overwhelming array of goodness. It quickly becomes a struggle at the market as we rush to make room for the superabundance of new crops.

Look for:

• Sweet Michigan apricots
• Tart cherries
• Grassy purple and green asparagus
• Earthy baby beets in a variety of hues (white, red, gold, pink)
• New heirloom potato varieties (if we're lucky!)

This is the one time all year when the blue crab molts its shell and the Mid-Atlantic fisherman have but hours to capture the animal in its softened, succulent toothy state. Before they disappear, rush out to your favorite fishmonger and get a few – hopefully still alive and frisky — to lightly dredge in flour, sauté, and slap on a moist potato-bread hamburger bun with some sloppy caper-cornichon mayonnaise. Or come in to the restaurant and let us serve them up fine-dining style, on a bed of sweet English pea and toasted almond bulghur "salad" - swimming in a minted tomato broth. Yumm.

Celebrate the sunny weather with a lively twist on this summer favorite.

• 1.5 oz Citron Vodka
• 3 oz Fresh Lemonade
• 3 tsp Strawberry Puree
• Splash Malibu Rum
• Garnish with a locally grown strawberry

Each year, we accumulate donations through our wine program for four deserving organizations. Their inclusion on the list is based on their work to help preserve diverse food choices, contribute to the local community, support local farmers, and help commit to a more sustainable future. Local Harvest is one of our current recipients.

Local Harvest is an internet-based nationwide directory of sustainable farms and food sources. The organization's website seeks to create direct links between communities and family farms, encouraging communication and contact between consumers and producers within specific geographic areas. For more information, call Local Harvest at 431-475-8150 or visit their website.

Our lunch season has arrived! On Wednesday, June 7th, we will unveil our newest lunch menu. North Pond will again be offering a more casual menu with a tempting array of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and light entrees for the summer months. This year we will open for lunch Tuesdays through Fridays, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Our $29 three-course prix fixe Sunday brunch continues all year, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00p. m. Please see our website for the most current menus.

21123 Grade School Road Caledonia, IL 61011

David and Susan Cleverdon run Kinnikinnick Farm, a thirty-acre organic market garden. David has been farming their land for 11 years and produces a lovely array of vegetables including - arugula, baby lettuce mix, Italian cooking greens, chicories, heirloom tomatoes, squash, beets, garlic, and shell beans - to name but a few.

When asked why consumers should choose organic products, instead of other options, David gave the following thoughtful response:

"A lot of things, besides whether something is termed 'organic' or not, should go into our decisions about the food we purchase. Who grew it? Was it grown locally? How far has it been shipped? Is it any good? How much does it cost? Is it seasonal? My rule of thumb is that I will buy organic food if it is demonstrably better and not too much more expensive. And preferably local... If an organic crop is shipped across the country, then I think much of its organic advantage is lost to us all—in terms of energy consumption, handling costs, etc. A lousy tomato grown organically in California and shipped to Chicago is still a lousy tomato. The bottom line is that if you are concerned about the food you and your family eat, then you should get to know the farmer who produced it. And that means buying locally and seasonally - not just organically. "

Kinnikinnick produce can be purchased at both the Evanston Farmers' Market and Chicago's Green City Market.

For more information about Kinnikinnick Farm, call (815) 292-3288 or shoot David and Susan an e-mail at kinnikinnickfarm@yahoo.com.

"For many who participated in the early phase of organic farming, its subsequent history is a story of paradise lost—or, worse, sold—in which cherished ideals have simply become part of the sales pitch.," states Steven Shapin in an article featured in the May 15 issue of theNew Yorker. Shapin details the transformation of organic farming, from an idealistic grassroots movement into yet another multimillion-dollar corporate agribusiness "niche". With Wal-Mart's decision to "go organic", the state of organic farming will likely undergo an even greater mutation, one demanding much more serious discussion. In his article, Shapin frequently cites the work of author Michael Pollan, whose wonderful and thought-provoking new bookThe Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Mealshas already provoked a good deal of critical conversation on this and many of the other troubling aspects of modern agriculture and our food system as a whole.