Chicago: April, 2014. Your tacos are served with, what’s this, a wedge of lemon? You won’t find limes with your in flight gin-and-tonic these days either. What’s the deal? Lime prices have nearly tripled in the past year from $45/ case to $125/case. The cause? The Mexican lime crop, which accounts for 95% of American lime supply, has had an exceptionally terrible year: hard hit by heavy rains and bacterial infection and then hijacked by forces more sinister: Michoacán’s Knights Templar cartel. The cartel has been seizing citrus shipments and extorting farmers, controlling the industry. This is the same cartel responsible for un-mentionable atrocities towards enemies and civilians alike, the bourgeoning Mexican meth industry, and close ties to the disreputable Sinaloa cartel, who has cozily set up shop in Chicago as its home base for its thriving American narcotic trade.

Do we really want our citrus budget bankrolling these bloodthirsty murderers and peddlers of societal detriment? The Citric Benevolence Cartel (E-Dog + Z-Dog) is here to strike back and help you identify alternatives. How about Meyer lemon in that margarita, blood orange in your ceviche, finger lime in your papaya salad? Look to domestic sources, grow our own… It’s time we take citrus on our own terms and add guilt-free, ethical zest to our favorite food and beverages. Join the CBC on May 6^th at the MCA for more information and a sampling of benevolently tart dishes.

May 6th, 6-8 PM

Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E Chicago Ave.