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Farmers' Markets
May 1, 2008
As interest in local, seasonal eating keeps growing, so does the number of farmers’ markets for city dwellers. The big, city-run markets at Federal Plaza and Daley Plaza open the week after next, as does the independent Green City Market in Lincoln Park, and others follow in the coming month. Here’s a partial list of what you can generally expect to find when:
May Leafy greens, green onions, radishes
June Asparagus, peas, rhubarb, strawberries
July Blueberries, cucumbers, raspberries, summer squash, snap beans
August Blackberries, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes
September Apples, beets, carrots, melons, potatoes
October Cabbage, leafy greens, winter squash
Many markets have other specialties; read on for details. —Vera Videnovich and Kelly Russell
monday-saturday
Farmstand at Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences The city’s only permanent working 35-acre farm features student-grown produce, including sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, squash, and cucumbers.  June-October (specific dates not set at press time), 10 AM-5 PM, 3857 W. 111th.
tuesday
City Farm The organic farmers at this urban training project use recycled materials and land leased from the city, selling only what they grow on-site. Offerings include more than 30 varieties of heirloom, paste, roasting, cherry, and red slicing tomatoes. 6/5-10/25, 3-6 PM, 1240 N. Clybourn, resourcecenterchicago.org.
Federal Plaza An anchor of the city’s 29-year-old program (along with Daley Plaza), this market draws vendors from the four-state area selling produce, flowers, honey, cheese, bread and baked goods, and plants. 5/13-10/28, 7 AM-3 PM, Adams & Dearborn.
Lincoln Square 6/10-10/28, 7 AM-2 PM, city parking lot, Lincoln, Leland & Western.
Museum of Contemporary Art/Streeterville This market has longer hours than many others run by the city; vendors offer a mix of produce and other products. 6/10-10/28, 10 AM-6 PM, MCA Plaza, Chicago & Mies van der Rohe Way.
Prudential Plaza Smaller than the bustling markets at Federal and Daley plazas, the Prudential market is still well stocked and convenient for Loop workers. 6/10-10/21, 7 AM-3 PM, Lake & Beaubien Court.
South Chicago 7/1-10/28, 9 AM-4 PM, Chief Nomo’s Oasis, 2650 E. 83rd.
wednesday
Chatham 7/16-10/1, 9 AM-2 PM, Seaway National Bank parking lot, 87th & Langley.
Gately/Pullman 6/11-10/29, 7 AM-2 PM, Arcade Park, 111th & Cottage Grove.
Green City Market This bustling nonprofit market in Lincoln Park promotes organic and sustainable products. Up to 50 regional vendors sell fruits, vegetables, herbs, baked goods, dairy products, meats, honey, flowers, and soaps. There are also fresh crepes, made with market produce, and sometimes live music. Local chefs give demos at 10:30 AM; on opening day it’s Carrie Nahabedian from Naha. One-hour parking is available for $4 with validation. Tours, benefits, and educational programs for adults and kids are scheduled throughout the season. 5/14-10/29, 7 AM-1:30 PM, Lincoln Park, Clark & LaSalle, chicagogreencitymarket.org.
Lawndale 7/9-10/15, 7 AM-noon, Green Youth Farm, 3555 W. Ogden.
South Shore 6/11-10/29, 7 AM-2 PM, ShoreBank parking lot, 70th & Jeffery.
thursday
City Farm See listing under Tuesday. 6/5-10/25, 3-6 PM, 1240 N. Clybourn.
Daley Plaza See Federal Plaza listing under Tuesday. 5/15-10/2, 7 AM-3 PM, Washington & Dearborn.
Dunning/Wright College 6/19-10/30, 7 AM-2 PM, Eli’s Cheescake Co. parking lot, Montrose & Forest Preserve Ave.
Hyde Park 6/5-10/30, 7 AM-2 PM, Harper Court, 52nd Pl. & Harper.
Sears Tower 6/19-10/30, 7 AM-2 PM, 233 S. Wacker Dr.
Uptown 6/19-10/23, 8 AM-3 PM, Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson.
saturday
Austin 7/12-10/25, 7 AM-2 PM, Emmet Math, Science & Technology Academy Parking Lot, Madison & Central.
City Farm See listing under Tuesday. 6/5-10/25, 10 AM-1 PM, 1240 N. Clybourn.
El Conuco Produce market cosponsored by Growing Power and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center. 6/21-9/27, 9 AM-2 PM, 2800 W. Division.
Edgewater 6/28-10/18, 7 AM-noon, 6034 N. Broadway.
Evanston This well-established market draws more than 30 vendors offering organic and sustainably grown goods including meat and cheese as well as produce. There’s free parking with validation until 1 PM at the Maple Avenue garage. 5/17-11/1, 7:30 AM-1 PM, Maple & Clark, cityofevanston.org/enjoy/market.shtml.
Garfield Market Place This market offers a variety of artisanal items in addition to its produce selection; starting in May, vendors will sell a range of quilts, antiques, and crystal. Fresh, organic produce will be available in July. 5/31-10/26, 11 AM-5 PM, Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park.
Green City Market See listing under Wednesday. 5/14-10/29, 7 AM-1:30 PM, Lincoln Park, Clark & LaSalle.
Lincoln Park 5/17-10/25, 7 AM-2 PM, Lincoln Park High School parking lot, Armitage & Orchard.
Morgan Park 6/28-10/25, 7 AM-2 PM, Shiloah M.B. Church parking lot, 92nd & Ashland
Near North 5/31-10/25, 7 AM-2 PM, Division & Dearborn.
Nettlehorst French Market This “French-style” market offers fruits and vegetables, fresh-cut flowers, jams and preserves, baked goods, and crafts. 4/26-11/1, 8 AM-2 PM, Nettlehorst School playground, Broadway & Melrose.
North Center 6/14-10/18, 7 AM-2 PM, North Center Town Square, Belle Plaine, Damen & Lincoln.
Oak Park This 34-year old market has about 30 vendors selling fruits and vegetables, honey, vinegar, flowers, plants, cheese, and meat. Local nonprofit organizations make and sell baked goods, doughnuts, and coffee, and there’s live music every week. July 12 is kids’ day; August 16 is the market’s annual corn roast. Parking’s free at Scoville Neighborhood garage. 6/7-10/25, 7 AM-1 PM, Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake, www.oak-park.us/farmersmarket.
Printers Row 6/14-10/18, 7 AM-2 PM, Dearborn & Polk
Southport Green This weekly market, in its second year, is sponsored by the Southport Neighbors Association. In addition to locally grown vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy, there are artisanal breads and various food services, such as knife sharpening. See southportneighbors.com for more. 6/21-10/11, 8 AM-noon, Blaine School, 1420 W. Grace.
sunday
Ashburn 6/22-10/19, 7 AM-2 PM, Marquette Park, 71st & Kedzie.
Beverly 6/8-10/19, 7 AM-2 PM, city parking lot, 95th & Longwood.
Bronzeville 6/30-10/20, 7 AM-2 PM, Dunbar Vocational Career Academy parking lot, 29th & King Dr.
Garfield Market Place See listing under Saturday. 5/31-10/26, 11 AM-5 PM, Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park.
Logan Square At this weekly market, local farmers and sustainable food producers offer vegetables, flowers, honey, baked goods, meat, cheese, and soap. 6/1-10/26, 10 AM-3 PM, Logan Blvd. & Milwaukee, 773-489-3222 or logansquarefarmersmarket.org.
Wicker Park/Bucktown 6/9-10/26, 7 AM-2 PM, Wicker Park, Damen & Wicker Park Ave.
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bicycle Hussein warrior at 9:01 PM on 5/4/2008
starting May 17th, 61st & Blackstone, Saturdays, 9AM-2PM
"The 61st Street Farmers Market project, undertaken by the Experimental
Station with the assistance of committees of volunteers from the
surrounding community, is intended to bring sustainably grown fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and dairy products, and other items to the Woodlawn neighborhood in which we are located. Woodlawn has been identified as one of Chicago's "food deserts." The 61st Street Farmers Market seeks to provide an 'oasis' in that desert. It is an effort by members of the community to take control of our food destiny and to create food resources for ourselves. One of the features of the market will be an Electronic Benefits Transfer system that will allow people on foodstamps, WIC, and the Farmers Market Senior Nutrition Program to be able to purchase foods at the market.
The 61st Street Farmers Market will take place on Saturday mornings, from 9am-2pm, and will aim to draw market-goers from Woodlawn, Hyde Park, Kenwood, and South Shore. The market is scheduled to open on Saturday, May 17, and will be located on 61st Street, between Dorchester and Blackstone Avenues."
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Chelsea Slaven at 5:14 PM on 6/16/2008
Also, on Wednesday evenings, check out the Ridgeville Farmers' Market in south Evanston:
This summer will see the second run of the Ridgeville Farmers’ Market in south Evanston. Every Wednesday, June 4 through October 1, our farmers will set up market on the ball courts at the southeast corner of Ridgeville Park at 908 Seward, and will be open for business from 4 to 8 PM.
Each week, a variety of locally-grown and organic vegetables and herbs from Montalbano Farm (Marseille, IL) and Shady Hill Farm (Groveland, IL), and fresh fruit from Lyons Fruit Farm (South Haven, MI) will be available at the market. We will also be selling artisan breads -- from baguettes and ciabatta to a hearty roasted garlic – from Red Hen Bread in Chicago.
In creating a mid-week market, the Ridgeville Farmers’ Market hopes to make an environmentally sustainable lifestyle and connection to organic and locally-produced foods a realizable possibility for the community in south Evanston – as well as for Chicagoans from all over the city. Ridgeville Park is within walking distance from the South Blvd. stop on the Purple Line CTA, as well as the Main St. Metra station. The Recyclery of Evanston will be at the market on the last Wednesday of each month, offering free tune-ups and minor adjustments to those who travel via bicycle.
Just as it is important to be aware of what we put into our bodies, we believe it is necessary to be connected to the community we exist in. In addition to fresh produce, each market will feature a local musician, and we encourage people to hang out and enjoy a variety of baked goods and cool drinks from a local café as they shop. Evanston’s own up-and-coming organic farm and learning center, The Talking Farm, will be at the market once a month sharing their progress – and ways people can get involved -- with the community. Other special events – including a bi-weekly knitting circle and a local non-profit day – will work to create a sense of place and community in this park tucked into a residential neighborhood.
Frequently updated information on market events, musician and vendor profiles, recipe ideas for the week’s produce, and other information and resources related to working for an environmentally sustainable lifestyle can be found at the Ridgeville Farmers’ Market’s blog: www.ridgevillemarket.wordpress.com
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