info@gourmetgorilla.com

(877) 219-3663

1074 W Taylor, 126, Chicago, IL 60607

Where our Food Comes From

Foods Rooted in Community

Administrators and parents care about the origins of their students’ meals. At Gourmet Gorilla, our ingredients can be traced back to local providers to give you peace of mind about the foods your children eat!

Dairy

Some of our dairy producers have been with us since our first days as a school lunch supplier. We are proud to work with the following sustainable milk farms.

Sassy Cow Creamery

Sassy Cow Creamery

With a herd of 450 traditional and 250 organically raised cows, Sassy Cow Farms is leading the charge for sustainable milk farming in the dairy capital of the U.S. Their cows have a diverse diet that consists of pasture alfalfa, corn, wheat and so…

With a herd of 450 traditional and 250 organically raised cows, Sassy Cow Farms is leading the charge for sustainable milk farming in the dairy capital of the U.S. Their cows have a diverse diet that consists of pasture alfalfa, corn, wheat and soybean. While the USDA allows the use of rBGH, Sassy Cow Farms raises all their cattle without this hormone that artificially increases milk production.

You’ll find Sassy Cow milk used in some of our most popular meals, including mac & cheese, tomato cream sauce and French toast.

Located in Columbus, Wisconsin, these cows aren’t too far from school!

Prairie Farms

Prairie Farms

Located in Carlinville, Illinois and comprised of local, multi-generational dairy farms, Prairie is committed to reaching the masses while retaining their sustainable, community-driven practice. To date, Prairie Farms has taken on over 600 sustain…

Located in Carlinville, Illinois and comprised of local, multi-generational dairy farms, Prairie is committed to reaching the masses while retaining their sustainable, community-driven practice. To date, Prairie Farms has taken on over 600 sustainability-related projects, saved over 90 million gallons of water, and remains committed to recycling their equipment, ranging from tires to paper to cardboard.

Their delicious, organic milk is served in elementary, high school and after-school milk programs.

Grains

Children deserve the healthiest grains with the tastiest flavor. And that’s what our students get, thanks to local millers who take no shortcuts in processing the crop.

Meadowlark Organics Logo

Meadowlark Organics

Meadowlark Organics are farmers committed to cultivating a regenerative ecosystem by growing real food, improving the health and resilience of their soils, protecting the safety of their water and investing in the vitality of their rural community…

Meadowlark Organics are farmers committed to cultivating a regenerative ecosystem by growing real food, improving the health and resilience of their soils, protecting the safety of their water and investing in the vitality of their rural community. Coming from a background in restaurants, they have a unique perspective that allows them to cross the line between farmers and chefs. They are committed to growing delicious and nutritious staple foods like milling grains.

Proteins

Quality proteins are a non negotiable in school meals. We are committed to only using antibiotic-free poultry, grass-fed beef when available and sustainable fish on our menus.

Miller Amish Country Poultry

Miller Poultry

Miller Poultry is located in Northern Indiana and composed of Amish, Midwest-based farmers who are committed to sustainable and humane livestock practices. They are Non-GMO Project Verified and feed their chickens an all vegetable diet. We purchas…

Miller Poultry is located in Northern Indiana and composed of Amish, Midwest-based farmers who are committed to sustainable and humane livestock practices. They are Non-GMO Project Verified and feed their chickens an all vegetable diet. We purchase their fresh, never frozen chickens, which are antibiotic-free and raised with low-stress growing practices.

Their chicken is key to our BBQ, Tandoori, and Asian BBQ chicken drumsticks.

Bell & Evans

Bell & Evans

Bell & Evans succeeds in combining fantastic taste with sustainable and healthy growing practices. They raise their free-range chickens without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones, which makes for a healthier animal and healthier consum…

Bell & Evans succeeds in combining fantastic taste with sustainable and healthy growing practices. They raise their free-range chickens without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones, which makes for a healthier animal and healthier consumer. Each year, Bell & Evans voluntarily participate in animal welfare and good manufacturing audits to ensure their chickens receive the most humane treatment.

Our chicken nuggets are made with Bell & Evans poultry that comes straight from their farm in Pennsylvania.

Fruits and Vegetables

The majority of our sourcing regions for fruits and vegetables come from around the Midwest. However, since our region is short of some crops, and we know that kids like variety, we partner with producers both near and further away to get the healthy fruits and veggies our students need.

Muir Glen Organic

Muir Glen Organic

Muir Glen produces field-grown, vine ripened (and delicious!) tomatoes with USDA Certified Organic requirements. All of Muir Glen’s tomatoes and canned products are non-GMO, and they even have an ongoing partnership with the Xerces Society, the la…

Muir Glen produces field-grown, vine ripened (and delicious!) tomatoes with USDA Certified Organic requirements. All of Muir Glen’s tomatoes and canned products are non-GMO, and they even have an ongoing partnership with the Xerces Society, the largest pollinator conservation organization in the world, to create habitats to increase pollinator populations.

These California tomatoes are used in our marinara sauce, pizza muffins and three-bean chili.

Illinois Harvest of the Month

Harvest of the Month Program

We’re excited to partner with the Illinois Farm to School Network to bring the Harvest of the Month program to our participating schools. Each month, our menu features …

We’re excited to partner with the Illinois Farm to School Network to bring the Harvest of the Month program to our participating schools. Each month, our menu features a different fruit or vegetable from one of our local farms. Additionally, our schools receive activities and educational materials to increase students’ understanding of the food system.

Regional Farm Partnerships

Our partnerships with local farms and producers are a win-win. We support our community and, in turn, receive the freshest ingredients possible. Plus, it presents a great opportunity to teach students where their food comes from!

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