Processing Kitchen
The Urban Canopy’s commercial kitchen supports a stronger local food system by turning fresh, locally grown produce into nutritious, ready-to-eat products.
Wholesome Packaged Goods, Prepared and Processed Locally
Our processing kitchen offers three core services: retail sales of Urban Canopy-branded goods, wholesale supply of value-added items to local retailers and institutions, and co-packing for farms and food businesses looking to scale production.
By processing surplus or cosmetically imperfect produce into items like pickles, sauces, and soups, our kitchen reduces food waste while expanding market opportunities for farmers. These services align with our vision to create new pathways for local food to reach more people, more often.
Our Packaged Goods
From sauces to spreads, The Urban Canopy’s retail packaged goods are made in-house using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, many of which are grown right in our farms. Crafted in our commercial south-side kitchen, these products reflect our vision of building a more sustainable and equitable food system. Every purchase supports local farmers, reduces food waste, and brings bold, seasonal flavors to your table.
Our Kitchen Produces:
Baked Goods, Toasted Nuts, Pickles, Sauces, Salsas, Jams, Stock, and Much More
Pickles
Organic Curried Carrots, Classic Cucumber Dill Pickles, Organic Giardiniera, Fermented Kimchi, Organic Pickled Beets, Organic Raw/Fermented Sauerkraut, Garlic Dill Pickles, Wild Ramp Pickles, Pickled Asparagus, Whole Pickled Tomatoes, Sweet Marinated Peppers, Pickled Gingery Green Beans
Jams / Preserves
Organic Blueberry Preserves, Organic Blackberry Preserves, Red Onion Jam, Orange Marmalade, Sweet & Spicy Pepper Jelly, Cranberry Sauce, Organic Preserved Lemons
Sauces and Dips
Apple Sauce, Rhubarb BBQ Sauce, Wild Ramp Pesto, Hearty Greens Pesto, Roasted Tomato Salsa, Hella Lemon Cherry Bomb Hot Sauce
Where and How to Buy Our Packaged Goods
Retail / In Person
Our retail packaged goods are currently offered at our farmers market stands. Check out our farmers market schedule to find an upcoming market near you.
Purchase Wholesale
Offer your customers something truly local and impactful by stocking The Urban Canopy’s retail packaged goods.
By purchasing wholesale with us, your business or store front is supporting reinvestment in Chicago’s local food economy, uplifting community-based agriculture, and provding a diverse, mission-driven product line that today’s values-conscious shoppers are looking for. Submit a wholesale inquiry to learn more about pricing and logistics.
Commercial
Co-Packing Services
The Urban Canopy’s co-packing services are dedicated to helping farmers and food producers without access to commercial kitchens extend the value and life of their harvest by transforming excess, seconds, and surplus produce into shelf-stable, value-added products.
Get the Most out of Your Produce
From sauces and salsas to pickles and preserves, we work with you to create custom-branded packaged goods that reflect your farm’s identity and keep your story on shelves year-round. Our licensed commercial kitchen and experienced team make it easy to reduce food waste, increase revenue, and connect with customers beyond the growing season.
Submit a Co-Packing Inquiry to learn more about what
Processing Kitchen FAQs
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All of our jars have a "Best by Date" sticker as a guide. This describes when the product will have the best flavor and texture but they will be safe for consumption for much longer than that if stored and handled properly. Most of the time, they will have a "Best by Date" that is between 12-18 months from their production date. When you open the jars, they should pop to show that they were properly. Once they have been opened, store in the fridge for up to 4 months. We regularly eat pickled items that have been sitting in a box for over 4 years and they are delicious but the color might be dull and they might not be as crunchy as they used to be. Use your own discretion and look for mold, a bad smell or a mushy texture all of which could indicate that they are spoiled
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Our products are shelf stable and can be stored at room temperature until they are opened. Our jars are water-bath processed at high heat to minimize any bacteria. Our products use an acidifying agent, either vinegar or lemon juice in their production in order to ensure a low pH level to inhibit any bacterial growth. Jars should be stored out of direct sunlight and in a cool place until they are opened. Once jars are opened, they should be stored in the refrigerator and used within 3-4 months.
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From May through October, you can find the widest selection of our jars at farmer's markets all over Chicago. Check out our Market Calendar to see where we are going to be this week. During the winter, we are at the 61st Street Indoor Market in Hyde Park. We also sell at a handful of retailers around Chicago. Here is a list of stores where you can find our stuff but they likely don't carry our full range of products.
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We post recipes all the time on our Instagram account so follow us there and look back through our feed for a ton of interesting suggestions.
Learn More About our Kitchen Offerings
Whether you are looking enjoy our packaged goods or to partner with us to create your own, our experienced kitchen team here to make your food future a reality.
