local sources for restaurants and food service outlets

Hello,

I'm doing some research for a friend who is tasked with opening a new food service outlet and would like to source as much as possible locally.

Does anyone know of resources for chefs looking to source produce, proteins, dairy, pantry items locally? I know many of the farmers who attend our local markets also sell wholesale - but is there a resource that identifies which ones (and maybe also lists farmers/artisans who are not represented at the markets)?

Is anyone familiar with or a member of either Chef's Collaborative or the GCRC (the Green Chicago Restaurant Coalition)? Any thoughts as to if these would be useful in sourcing?

Thanks so much!

We're downstate a bit so I'm not familiar with all you have available up near the city, but I do know that Slagel Family Meats and Kilgus Farmstead Dairy, both local to me, deliver to most of the top restaurants in Chicago. We also us a group calling themselves "Central Lean Meats" for all our burger needs. Custom ground, hormone & steroid free lean and local...oh yeah, and delicious.