Northwoods Food Project to launch Food Equipment Library
The Northwoods Food Project (NWFP) aims to support a robust local and sustainable food system in Cook County. They work on issues including food access and provide help for food producers, and Project Director Kate Cowie-Haskell told WTIP that the group’s latest effort is designed to make more tools available for those looking to get into harvesting, processing and preserving food.
The Food Equipment Library, the first of its kind according to Cowie-Haskell, is a collection of food harvesting and processing supplies that will be available for public rental starting Aug. 15.
She explained, “The idea behind it is that folks should have access to high quality food processing equipment so that whether they are just trying to preserve or process food for home use, or if they’re a cottage food producer, or, you know, hoping to establish more of a food entrepreneurship project and get connected with local businesses, that they have what they need to do that, and that having access to those tools will actually allow people to produce and share more food.”
Cowie-Haskell said that the initial equipment inventory is based on a survey facilitated by volunteer Jennifer Victor Larsen. Based on the responses from community members, many of the current tools available are focussed on canning, along with some general equipment like a food processor, blender, and vacuum sealer. While most of the tools are unique in the library, Cowie-Haskell said there are multiple types of canners, and two different dehydrators, so library users have options to choose from.
The NWFP will ask users for feedback, and is still taking requests for equipment, which will help inform any future purchases for the library. Cowie-Haskell said the group hopes to expand the harvesting tools available in the future. She added, however, that as they look at what tools to include in the library, they are also factoring things like maintenance and liability into the decision, and what systems would need to be in place to ensure safe use of any equipment. She gave the example of bird processing equipment, which could pose a food safety risk if not cleaned and maintained correctly.
Once the rental system for the library goes live, Cowie-Haskell said there will be a few things for users to consider. First, unlike a traditional public library, the equipment library requires users to reserve the tools they are borrowing. She said rented items can be picked up at the Community Center Tuesday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Rentals are for one week, with the option to extend if another user has not reserved the item.
The library will be supported in part by user memberships. “We’ve set up a membership tier system for the library where folks can join join the library at a level that feels right for their their budgets, and also for how frequently they might want to actually use the equipment.” There are currently three membership levels, though Cowie-Haskell said they hope to establish a fourth tier in the future, which would be free for users who otherwise would not be able to afford a membership or rental costs.
The official launch date for the library is Aug. 15, but Cowie-Haskell said there will be a “soft launch” beginning Aug. 1 to test run the rental system. Those looking to participate in the soft launch can contact Cowie-Haskell directly to enquire by email at katech@northwoodsfoodproject.org.
Cowie-Haskell said she excited about the launch of the library, and added, “It’s a co-created thing that, sure, Northwoods Food Project is, you know, handling a lot of logistics of, but community participation and feedback is going to be really important, and essential in getting this to be a trusted working community resource into the future.”
WTIP’s Kirsten Wisniewski spoke with NWFP Project Director Kate Cowie-Haskell. Audio of that interview is below.
Kirsten Wisniewski July 30, 2025
