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Jason Weedon is Cofounder with his wife Danielle Hrzic of a for-profit, women owned social enterprise that specializes in providing sustainable institutional food service for pre-schools, elementary schools, high schools and colleges throughout the Chicago Metropolitan Area. Jason graduated in 1997 with a BScHons in Geology and Petroleum Geology, has worked throughout Africa and Europe and has spent the last 14 years involved with environmental brownfield remediation projects in and around the Chicago Metro area. Gourmet Gorilla has grown 300% per year since its inception 3 years ago. Gourmet Gorilla currently employs 20 full time and part time staff and is working on solutions to the seasonality of supply for local produce procurement for its all year round enterprise.
The Gourmet Gorilla� Mission To strive for a sustainable future for our children by providing local and organic school lunches and healthier eating options. We are committed to working with community partners to provide solid nutrition for children in order to help them learn and grow. Building alliances between local farms, urban agriculturalists, dieticians, nutritionists, talented chefs, and organic food manufacturers, we are able to provide quality ingredients as well as links to educational resources on healthy food curriculum, the value of organic foods, garden projects, and ecological awareness.
Our Ingredients Gourmet Gorilla� obtains its produce from certified organic purveyors and local sustainable farmers, our meats are free range, grass fed and all natural, and they have not been subjected to artificial growth hormones and antibiotics, or artificial preservatives; Gourmet Gorilla� observes a strict Non GMO policy, and is peanut-free. We do however recommend parents who have kids with severe allergies to make their own arrangements.
Our Philosophy Gourmet Gorilla� provides healthy local and organic food for kids, with an emphasis on foods that are familiar to children, while occasionally pushing the envelope of taste and food experience. Our menus are as much a learning and educational experience as they are a healthy eating option. Gourmet Gorilla� recipes are designed to meet and exceed the USDA, Illinois Board of Education and City of Chicago Board of Education meal requirements. All our meals are kid tested and developed with 1 to 12 year olds in mind!
The Environment Our kitchen is working towards becoming a zero waste kitchen, with a composting program, recycling program, and delivery via environmentally responsible vehicles. Schools that switch to us not only obtain better nutrition and safer food, but also help the local economy, promote food security, and encourage environmental responsibility.
Farm to School Gourmet Gorilla� also has the ability to develop curriculum for schools to incorporate farm to school programs, this may include setup of indoor/outdoor herb gardens, visits to urban farms to collect produce, pet animals, and learn about the lifecycle of the organic food chain.
Offsite Catering Services Gourmet Gorilla� provides pre-schools, schools, and institutions with breakfast, lunch and snacks, delivered daily.
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