Our New Partnership with Berries & Flour
At The Farms of Illinois, we’re proud to partner with local businesses that care deeply about the land, the people, and the food they grow. One of our newest partners is Berries & Flour Bakery and Harvest Goods, a woman-owned company based in Champaign, Illinois. This small business turns wild plants into tasty treats that tell a story.
Berries & Flour is led by Heidi Leuszler, a chef, teacher, and plant expert. Heidi doesn’t just cook—she also studies and teaches about plants and nature. She loves using wild and native ingredients, like elderberries and wild plums, that grow in our own backyards. These plants are often overlooked, but Heidi sees them as special gifts from the Midwest. Learn more about our newest partner!
Food That Tells a Story
Berries & Flour isn’t your average bakery—it’s a place where food, nature, and learning come together. Heidi and her team forage for fruits and plants from local farms, nearby fields, and even forests. Then, they turn them into delicious jams, syrups, and baked goods.
Every product has a story. Their elderberry syrup is made from berries grown by eight Illinois farmers. Elderberries are full of antioxidants and vitamin C, which can help keep you healthy. Their wild plum jam comes from five local farms, and it has a bright, tangy taste that’s perfect on toast or with cheese.
By using plants from close to home, Berries & Flour helps people connect with their food—and with the land around them.
Their Mission Beyond Food
Berries & Flour also plays a big role in the local food system. Their kitchen is not just for their own products—it’s also a space where other small food businesses can come and cook.
They also teach classes and lead workshops about gardening, cooking, and foraging. Heidi shows people how to find wild foods, how to cook with them, and why these local plants matter. She wants everyone to know that we can eat closer to home and still enjoy amazing meals.
How Berries & Flour Got Started
Heidi’s love for food and nature started when she was young. Her family moved often, and no matter where they lived, they explored the outdoors and tried local foods. They picked mangos in Florida, morel mushrooms in Missouri, and strawberries in Colorado. Her mom taught her how to can and preserve fruits and how to be creative with flavors.
Now she lives on a farm with her husband in Central Illinois where they’ve planted fruit trees, wildflowers, and a “Midwest Hedgerow” full of native plants. She grows what she can, forages what she finds, and works with farmers to bring the best of Illinois to every jar and bottle.
Berries & Flour is all about caring for the earth, respecting the seasons, and celebrating the plants that grow around us. By sharing their food and knowledge, they are helping more people enjoy the flavors of the Midwest.
How to Purchase Berries & Flour Products
You can now purchase Berries & Flour products from our online store, and you can add their unique jams and elderberry syrups to your order. Their work reminds us that food is not just something we eat—it’s a way to learn, connect, and take care of the world around us.