Radish Kitchen started as Up Beet Jams, which began in the summer of 2020 while Jam was in-between adjunct teaching positions at Illinois State University and Illinois Central College. She began cooking weekly meals for a friend, which grew into a few friends then their friends until it became clear this service was needed in the community
The opportunity to feed the people in Central Illinois up to this point has been especially rewarding in several ways. As much as plant-based, whole food, and vegan meals have grown into a passion, what is loved even more is the way Up Beet Jams has allowed for a deeper connection to the community, a sharing of knowledge while learning from others, and the space to grow and shift on a personal level. We have also contributed to mutual aid efforts, collaborated with local artists and businesses, and found our way into small grocery store fridges. Up Beet Jams went from cooking meals for three friends out of Jam’s tiny home kitchen to cooking meals for up to 56 people each week in a commercial kitchen space at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in only a year. All of these efforts have helped this business feel supported by and connected to people in the Peoria community whether that’s from dedicated customers who order meals weekly, fellow small businesses that have shared insight and resources, nonprofits who join in collaboration to accomplish shared goals, local farmers who supply produce, or new and old friends who showed up to help with deliveries or cook.