Without knowing it, you’ve probably already eaten Knockout Pickles as you munch on a burger or enjoy a sandwich at local restaurants. These cool cucumbers are the creation of “warriors” who work at Opportunity Knocks, an organization dedicated to building independence and broadening life experiences for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
But where do the pickles come from?
For many hamburger slices, it all starts at an urban farm just east of the ReUse Depot, 50 Madison St. in Maywood.
Cultivation started in April 2016 on a 2,500 square foot plot. The idea was to build both enrichment and job opportunities for Opportunity Knocks participants, whom they call warriors, because they are champions of their own journey. A motto at OK is “do with, not for warriors.”
Some warriors even work at the farm.
“If they have a general interest, we interview them. When they are hired, they’re expected to do everything that any other staff would do. They arrive on time. They have a set list of things that we do almost every week,” Harlow Righetti, farm coordinator, said. “We make sure that whatever we’re doing a warrior is present because it’s part of the mission.”
Warrior and employee Ron Turner is serious about his job, but he enjoys it too, saying “… harvesting cucumbers, keeping the plants clean. And make sure everything works out well.”
Turner also works selling the abundance of produce with OK at the Riverside Farmer’s Market. Produce is also harvested and eaten by OK program participants who come to the farm as a part of their weekly activities. And some go to the Oak Park food pantry, Beyond Hunger.
Warrior participant and farm volunteer Nick Gomez likes weeding the best.
“We have field days. We’ll plant things, crafts things in the field. We spend a lot of time here. It’s great for skill building. Learning how to grow your own vegetables and tasting them,” said Righetti.
Most cucumbers grown on the farm get the Knockout treatment. They are processed, spiced and brined by fellow warriors at a nearby commercial kitchen space.
“We haven’t been able to grow as many cucumbers as we can produce pickles, especially in the winter, so we’ll outsource too,” said Righetti.
Opportunity Knocks was conceived by Mike Carmody as a response to the needs of his younger brother, John. An Illinois state-funded support program, through the public schools, for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities ends when they turn 23 years old. Mike saw the possibility to create social, recreational and wellness-based programming for this community.
Programming started officially in 2010.
The organization offers a mix of activities covering work, leisure and self-care. Life skills, like shopping and meal preparation, are components of the OK programming. The idea to start making pickles was an outgrowth of those tasks. Then adding the farm was a way to connect what they were already doing with the movement towards more local, sustainable food.
The farm has thrived for 8 years as a part of that mission, but at the end of this growing season, it will have to be relocated. The ReUse Depot building and land is being repurposed.
“The property has been on the market for a long time, so we always knew this could be coming,” Carmody said. “That’s one of our new big projects, figuring out where we’re going to go next year.”
“We’re looking at this as an opportunity to be better, hoping to maybe find a space that’s a little bit bigger to make it more accessible than it is right now. Here, wheelchairs sometimes get stuck,” said Righetti.
Righetti loves when the warriors try cherry tomatoes and cucumbers straight from the vine. And then seeing them enjoy it. “It’s life changing for them and for myself. It’s exciting to see. It’s farm to table, sincerely.”
You can get Knockout Pickles at One Lake Brewing, Alpine Food Shop, Good Earth Greenhouse, Robert’s Westside, Oak Park Country Club, Riverside Golf Club, The Junction Diner, The Happy Apple Pie Shop, The Daly Bagel, Top Butcher Market, The Sugar Beet, Scratch Kitchen. Or if you want to get more involved, you can sign up to volunteer at the farm.
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