Crystal Forestry Project
From cleaner to container, May’s focus is on keeping her product line as sustainable as possible.
Iowa City, IA
Cahokia Rice
Type: Farm
Produces: Rice
Location: McClure, IL
Miles from Coop: 360
The Smart Choice Rice
Cahokia rice has 53% more protein per serving than conventional rice and a low glycemic index of 41 (the lowest GI ever reported in a commercial rice), making this rice an excellent heart-healthy and diabetic-friendly choice!
It is non-GMO and heavy metal free and regularly tested to ensure levels remain below detectable limits, and grown in nearby Illinois on a family farm dedicated to protecting the environment for generations to come.
Cahokia Rice can be found on New Pioneer Co-op shelves both in packages and in our bulk sections!
Generational Farming
For four generations, farmer Blake Gerard and his family have lovingly cultivated a pristine corner of the Mississippi River bottoms region in Southern Illinois. As a Food Alliance Certified sustainable farm, the Gerard family believes in creating food systems that not only feed people today but protect and nurture our environment for the future.
Commitment to Stewardship
Cahokia Rice is named in honor of the Cahokia people - the first sustainable farmers of the land. Blake's business represents a return to these same sustainable practices. Through regenerative farming methods, they cultivate more than just rice - they nurture the land itself.
By creating wetland habitats, they enhance biodiversity, providing a sanctuary for hundreds of migratory birds and other species. These waterfowl play an integral role in the farming process, naturally tilling the soil, fertilizing the fields, and even assisting with weed control. This harmonious relationship supports the environment and helps grow rice in the most sustainable way possible.
The fields are not just farmland - they are vibrant ecosystems teeming with life.
These regenerative methods create nutrient-dense soil, reduce erosion, and aid in soil preservation, ensuring their fields remain fertile for generations to come.
Other Local Producers
Be sure to check out these others great local producers!
Cahokia Rice
Grown sustainably on a 4th generation family farm, this certified non-GMO rice is naturally 53% higher in protein than conventional rice with a low glycemic index.
McClure, IL
Echollective Farm & CSA
Echollective Farm feels more like a family than a business. Members of this collective garden and CSA make their decisions gathered around the kitchen table.
Mechanicsville, IA
Gray Toad Tallow
When Sharon and her young family were in need of a natural remedy for their eczema, her homemade tallow balm cleared their patches before they could even get into their doctor. Now Gray Toad Tallow is known for helping to heal psoriasis, dry skin, cycling saddle sores, calluses, sunburns, chapped lips, and more!
Cedar Rapids, IA
Big Timber Maple Syrup
Big Timber Maple has been producing certified organic maple syrup since 2000. What began as a hobby quickly grew into a thriving family business, driven by a passion for quality and tradition.
Epworth, Iowa
Trowel and Error Farm
Carly Andrews was inspired to start farming after attending The University of Vermont, and learning about the local foods movement. After seeing a panel of all women farmers in her undergrad, she decided to try it out for herself.
Iowa City, IA
Coffalo Coffee
In 2020, Chris James turned to coffee roasting and never looked back. His flavorful brews and charming bike deliveries with his pug Bugsy have made his brand a local favorite.
West Des Moines, Iowa
Sweet Season Farm
Husband and wife Ethan and Carly share a strong belief that Iowa needs more vegetable and organic farms. In 2021, they took matters into their own hands and founded Sweet Season Farm.
Calmar, Iowa