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WE ARE BACK! NOW IN CHIPS n’ SPEARS

The dill-icious gift of pickles has returned! Now is your chance to purchase Opportunity Knocks’ very own, Warrior-made Knockout Pickles. Available in three flavors, classic, deli, and spicy with 2 cut styles to choose from. Start the Spring off right by packing your sandwiches, burgers, and more with our Knockout Pickles! Serves your taste buds and supports the OK Mission.

The Dill-icious Details | Online Now – Orders will be available for pick-up/delivery in Early April 2023

Pick-up Details – Mondays & Fridays at Noon @ The Foundry | 7503 Madison St, Forest Park, IL 60130

Delivery Details –  Local Delivery available to the River Forest, Oak Park, Forest Park, Elmwood Park, Maywood, and Melrose Park areas for $5. If out of range, only pick-ups will be available. Expect deliveries on Tuesday between 10 am-2 pm*. *Dates and Times are Subject to Change. You do not have to be present for deliveries. 

Have Questions? Contact – vito.claps@opportunityknocksnow.org

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Est. 2014

Our Pickle Story

WE PROUDLY PRODUCE PICKLES THAT PACK A POWERFUL PUNCH. THEY’RE PLANTED, PICKED, PREPARED AND PACKAGED BY THE PLEASANT PEOPLE AT OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS. IT’S A PRETTY PERFECT PLAN. IF YOU ASK US.

Knockout Pickles is a seed to jar artisanal pickle business that started in 2014.  In addition to offering employment for our Warriors and a supplemental revenue stream to OK, we are committed to crafting a really dill-icious pickle!

In truly organic form, we tested our pickling hand inside of our culinary programming initiative. We developed a recipe, production method and jarring technique that could be perfected by our Warriors and scaled as the business grew. We leaned on the passion of our staff and food partners.  Like most things at OK, each of our businesses developed organically out of our Warrior-focused program efforts in the culinary arts.

As planning, shopping and meal prep are integral components of all our programs, it was a natural extension that our enterprise efforts would capitalize on these important skills. It was also imperative that our Warriors would be involved in all facets of the business operation, from sales and marketing to production and distribution, so that such skills could be utilized in the pursuit of other vocational interests.

In our first year, we sold 400 jars of pickles at special events and our holiday order.  Today, we are selling bulk buckets to a growing list of local restaurants as well as individual jars at several retail outlets in the area.

BIG CHALLENGES

Natl. average – 36% of people with disabilities are employed vs. 77% without disabilities.

KNOCKOUT JOBS

The KOP initiative currently supports 3 part-time  jobs for Warriors

Pickle Partners

We are proud to be working with 9 local partners to bring KOPs to the people

PICKLES TO MARKET

More than 1900 pounds of Knockout Pickles produced and sold by our Warriors

Ingredients & Production

HIGH QUALITY, FRESH & LOCAL

We are deeply grateful to the many volunteers, donors and partners who have showed up throughout the first few seasons of the farm to transform a barren grass field into a highly productive urban farm. Our partners have given endlessly to help us build the infrastructure of the farm. We have called in the pros we know to do so many things. From testing soil and water, to consulting on logistics, water conservation and aggregate acquisitions; to hauling, excavating, landscaping, patio paving, carpentry and more.

That amount of support does not even include our volunteers! We have been fortunate to bring so many friends to the farm to help us with site prep and construction to planting, weeding and harvesting and every other farm job in between. We have received an enormous amount of support from neighbors, friends, staff, community and corporate partners. It has been a community effort in every sense of the word and we are convinced that it takes a village to build a farm!

A one-two power punch of garlic and dill flavors leave no mistake you’ve tasted our original and signature variety of Knockout Pickles
INGREDIENTS: Cucumbers, vinegar, water, salt, garlic, dill seed, black peppercorn

 

Garlic and dill flavors still lead the way, but a hint of sweet makes this profile the preferred variety for folks who like a little less KOP punch
INGREDIENTS: Cucumbers, vinegar, water, salt, sugar, garlic, dill seed, black peppercorn

 

Take the one-two garlic and dill flavor jabs and add a spicy hay-maker to make for our most daring flavor profile of Knockout Pickles
INGREDIENTS: Cucumbers, vinegar, water, salt, garlic, dill seed, black peppercorn, red pepper flakes

 

 

Our Team

 People Person’s Pickle People

Sonya

Sonya Taylor is from Oak Park where she lives with her mother. Not only does Sonya help make the pickles but she is one of best pickle sellers. You can find her at different farmer’s markets selling our pickles to customers. Sonya is one of our most social members of the sales force who isn’t afraid to go out there and get her sale. Sonya has been a part of pickles from the beginning. Not only does Sonya help make the pickles she also helps grow them on our farm. Sonya is our resident comic who thinks everyday should be her birthday.

Patrick

Patrick O’Rourke is one of our founding picklers. Patrick has been pickling with us for 5 years and is the man behind the slicer. Patrick also has another job at FFC in Oak Park. He is the muscle behind the operation and helps make sure the quality of our pickles are top of the line. His favorite flavor of pickles is spicy. Patrick’s favorite part making pickles is slicing them. Patrick also is vital in growing the pickles on our farm. He is an aspiring super villain who’s dream job is President of the United States.

Katrina

Katrina Jeffries  is a student at the OPRF CITE program and has been a Warrior at Opportunity Knocks for three years. Katrina is a recent addition to our pickling team. She currently works in the Rush Hospital kitchen in addition to working for Knockout Pickles. Katrina’s favorite part about being on the pickle team is demonstrating her pickle slicing skills. Katrina is also a member of our Warrior Catering team where she hones her kitchen skills. Katrina is a vital member of the team who specializes in making buckets of pickles for our restaurant customers.

Our Pickle Partners

Where to find Knockout Pickles

We are proud to stand in pickle solidarity with some of the finest local purveyors, craft creators, and like-minded social Warriors. Our pickles are available on the shelf in several local delis, a food co-op and the happiest pie shop around. You can also find them on the menu in several outstanding local restaurants.

Our pickle partners have become more than just vendors for our line of artisan pickle products. They have become partners in mission, standing with us in our efforts to host fundraising events, offering their spaces for our board and committee meetings and spreading the good word of the mission.

Whether you’re heading out for a sandwich, groceries a dinner out or a taste at a local brewery. Please consider supporting these great establishments that support us.

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Knockout Pickle Blog

STORIES OF WARRIORS IN ACTION ALONG THE WAY OF GROWING, HARVESTING, PRODUCING, AND SELLING KNOCKOUT PICKLES!