Working in the marketing industry, I have learned how Chicago is a central hub for food marketing agencies. Many years ago, our firm was strictly a commercial photography group before pivoting into the digital marketing firm we are today. We still shoot a lot of food and architecture, but back then, we grew rapidly in the food photography genre.
During those years, I was a creative representative with responsibilities such as:
- Securing new business
- Sitting on industry-related boards to network with creative directors and enhance my marketing skills
- Performed account management, leveraging extensive marketing expertise to deliver client consultations that bolstered advertising and marketing efforts to produce a competitive advantage.
- Secured a major account with an international food company, managing an extensive sales cycle by cultivating the relationship, conveying constant follow-ups, and handling the close; attained an additional revenue stream.
- Created and led cross-functional creative teams for client initiatives, deploying project management acumen to complete photography, website content, and public relations materials within deadlines.
- Conducted business development, applying interpersonal communication skills to facilitate networking at various clubs and organizations and generate leads that resulted in new business.
As a result of my responsibilities, I found a group to network with within the Chicago area because we were seeking food photography opportunities. Naturally, Chicago was the place to be. On one occasion, I was able to get my company to fly me out to Chicago to meet up with the people I had been networking with online via an email group (wow, that was a long time ago; how far we have come).
When I was thirteen years old, my aunt moved to the Chicago suburbs. During those few years they lived there, my aunt would fly me out to visit her on a regular basis. We had so much fun shopping and eating in Chicago. I really enjoyed it when she lived there. When I got to Chicago for work, my aunt flew out from where she then lived in North Carolina to meet me there.
Like old times, we shopped and ate at some fantastic restaurants that claim to be the “best.” I made some solid connections with the Chicago networking group, and overall, it was a prosperous business trip with some personal fun sprinkled in as well.
According to The Food Institute, “The depth and breadth of the sector is truly world class. Big food giants coexist with amazing startups, a huge investor community, a vibrant culinary scene, programs to address food security, and some of the best urban farms in America… In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Chicago grew into the keystone for the nation’s industrialized food system through processing…Chicago’s food sector has reached a new juncture, with a growing ecosystem of companies, emerging brands, innovative retailers, investors and venture capital, service providers, and non-profits, all dedicated to building a better-for-people, better-for-the-planet food system…. Chicago is also home to many of the top programs that promote food access and education that encourages residents to eat better food to liver healthier lives. Large philanthropists are investing tens of millions of dollars annually to support non-profit innovators focusing on food access and promoting better health,”.
Healthy initiatives and products
Moving toward healthy initiatives and products is especially important to my family and me, as well as for our country and the world overall. When my mom was diagnosed with diabetes, she lost her central vision and could no longer drive. So, we went grocery shopping together, and we started reading labels, finding out all of the unnecessary, poisonous ingredients that were added to the food. That is when we made the change to be better informed, to make better food choices, and to eat a cleaner, healthier diet.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes, “The FDA works to help empower consumers to build nutritious diets that support health and wellness. The U.S. faces an ever-growing epidemic of preventable diet-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. Racial and ethnic minority groups, those with lower socioeconomic status, those living in rural areas, and other underserved communities disproportionately experience these diet-related chronic diseases. Improving nutrition is one of the most effective public health interventions for reducing these and other chronic illnesses and premature death,”.
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion supports healthier eating and food production, “Through 10-year national objectives, the HHS Healthy People initiative helps individuals, organizations, and communities committed to improving health and well-being address public health priorities.
In addition to measurable objectives, Healthy People provides:
- Data that illustrate national progress toward achieving objectives
- Evidence-based resources to help with program and policy development
- Tools to inspire action, encourage collaboration, and empower individuals, organizations, and communities to use the initiative,”.
Healthiest food companies
Living in the Midwest, Michigan specifically, we have some good grocery stores to choose from. Kroger seems to be on every corner with some organic choices at a higher cost, Meijer carries more international food choices, but Trader Joe’s is my favorite place to shop for healthy food, and, shockingly, it is less expensive.
Initially, I read the labels on Trader Joe’s branded food items. However, after many times, I almost always discovered that if it was a Trader Joe’s brand, I could trust that it was the healthiest option and knew that there were not any unnecessary chemicals inserted into the food. When my sons were in elementary school, all of their friends wondered what they were eating in their lunches, as I did not give them the junk food and unhealthy options that their peers were given. Later in high school, they noticed that their peers were now eating healthier options and also had Trader Joe’s food in their lunches as well.
An article in Forbes showcases the following healthy food companies positively impacting our planet and health, “Consumers continue to expand their awareness of the impact their food and beverage choices have on both their own bodies and our planet. Food and beverage companies are responding to this trend by reformulating their products to incorporate healthier and more sustainable ingredients. This includes using organic foods, reducing the use of artificial additives and preservatives, sourcing ingredients locally or from sustainable suppliers, and adopting environmentally friendly packaging.
These 7 companies are committed to making food and beverage products that people love, and also are better for us and our world: Magic Spoon, Mosh, Chomps, Over Easy, B.T.R. Nation, Rootless, and Táche,”.
Is Chicago the food capital?
In conclusion, Chicago’s vibrant food scene, with its mix of food giants, emerging startups, and community initiatives, arguably positions it as a food capital.