For the second straight year, Goodness Greeness, a leading Midwest distributor of organic produce based in Chicago, will sponsor Family Farmed Expo, an event that brings together regional growers, chefs and consumers with an interest in organic and artesian food, local economies, fair trade, nature, and environmental and health issues.

Family Farmed Expo will be held Friday, March 10 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 11 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Chicago at the historic Chicago Cultural Center on East Washington Street.

"The expo provides the public a unique setting to meet the farmers that are trying to make a difference in the quality of our food choices. This is an opportunity they cannot find anywhere else," said Bob Scaman Jr., president and chief executive officer of Goodness Greeness. "In the past, it has been difficult for even the most interested chefs and consumers to find a good source of regional produce at the grocery store. That is why Family Farmed created a network for regional organic farmers and produced the 'Family Farmed' seal. The seal goes on every Family Farmed product and lets consumers know that the product wearing that sticker has been grown regionally, is organic and can be traced all the way back to the grower. Goodness Greeness is proud to distribute produce carrying the 'Family Farmed' seal."

While both days are open to the public, the Friday afternoon workshops are focused on the business aspects of food for the trades. Everyone is invited to show support for organic family farms food by attending the Hot, Hot, Hot fundraiser reception at 6 p.m. on Friday night, March 10. The fundraiser, which benefits the FamilyFarmed.org initiative, will be co-hosted by television celebrity Bill Kurtis, who is launching a new beef line, and documentary filmmaker Deborah Koons Garcia, whose documentary, "The Future of Food," will be airing at the expo's film festival.

The reception includes live Brazilian music, organic food and organic cocktails, donated in part by Goodness Greeness. Tickets for the reception are $100 per person and can be purchased on line at www.FamilyFarmed.org.

On March 11, the expo will embrace the public with cooking demonstrations from Chicago's leading chefs, food tastings, award-winning films, a bookstore and an interactive kid's corner. Workshops will be held throughout the day to provide opportunities for learning more about organic food, farming, health and sustainability.

Tickets can be purchased on-line at FamilyFarmed.org. They are $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 3 to 12. Tickets are available at the door for $20.