Lincoln Square Nonprofit Uses Spent Grain From Half Acre, Pilot Projects Brewing To Make Dog Treats

by Alex V. Hernandez / Block Club Chicago / August 5, 2022

Two nonprofits have partnered to employ adults with developmental disabilities by selling dog treats made with spent grain from local craft breweries.

LINCOLN SQUARE — A Lincoln Square nonprofit offering job training to adults with developmental disabilities has created a unique new opportunity for its participants: creating and selling dog treats from local breweries’ spent grain.

Gateway To Learning, 4925 N. Lincoln Ave., serves more than 85 adults with intellectual challenges and developmental disabilities by offering them safe, controlled environments for job opportunities where they can learn various skills.

Last month, Gateway announced it is partnering with suburban Naperville-based nonprofit Earn With A Purpose, which also employs people with developmental disabilities, to relaunch its Barley’s Biscuits program.

Barley’s dog biscuits are made with spent grain from local breweries Half Acre and Pilot Projects Brewing. Gateway has worked on the biscuits for years, but the partnership will allow Gateway to expand the program and sell the dog treats via Earn With A Purpose’s online store. Read more HERE