Celebrate Forum's Anniversary with a Fundraiser
Plus breaking news from Chicago City Markets, and this week's outdoor opener schedule
Help Our Farmers Markets with a Paid Subscription
Make Local Food Forum’s 2nd Anniversary Extra Special
Time sure does fly, and just like that, Local Food Forum will celebrate the 2nd anniversary of its official launch on Saturday (April 1). I love writing multiple newsletters a week about the local food community of which I’m so proud to be a part.
Sometimes you find your dream job. And sometimes you have to invent it yourself.
My goal from the start has been to elevate the importance and benefits of buying and eating healthy food produced in our local region using sustainable, humane and fair practices. I think Local Food Forum has had an impact.
One thing it hasn’t done yet is earn enough revenue to make it self-sustaining (requiring a lot of contract work to cover expenses). That’s why I’m asking here for you to consider starting a paid subscription or upscale if you already have one.
Your support will help cover the costs of some needed upgrades to Local Food Forum on which I’ve begun work, including a website to supplement the newsletter and special benefits for paid subscribers (if you are one of them, thank you for your patience).
And as an added inducement, I will donate a portion of the proceeds to the non-profit Illinois Farmers Market Association (ILFMA). I haven’t previously informed them so I hope it’s a nice surprise.
I will donate 10 percent of every new $50 subscription to ILFMA… and 20 percent of any $100 Founders subscription, whether new or an upgrade from a $50 subscription.
Why ILFMA? Because it’s my way of celebrating Green City Market’s kickoff of the region’s outdoor farmers market season, which also takes place this Saturday. And because IFLMA introduced me in 2021 as its first ambassador — pretty heady stuff for someone who moved to Chicago and started a new career as a Good Food advocate just more than a decade ago.
If this all sounds a little familiar, I ran a similar fundraiser for my birthday last November. This netted $85 in donations for World Central Kitchen, the organization created by Chef José Andrés that has provided millions of meals to people displaced by disasters in places such as Ukraine, Puerto Rico, Turkey and Syria.
Breaking that record isn’t a very high bar. Please consider subscribing so I can provide more help.
Breaking News: Chicago City Markets Schedule
Chicago City Markets today announced its 2023 schedule for the city-run farmers markets — including the Thursday, May 11 opening of the flagship Daley Plaza Farmers Market (photo above), located in the Loop and overseen by the giant sculpture by Pablo Picasso.
The season schedule opens on May 6 with the season’s launch of Division Street Farmers Market.
Chicago City Markets are administered by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). “Chicago City Markets provide access to fresh and healthy food to residents across dozens of neighborhoods, support local vendors and farmers, and offer some of the best street food in the city,” said DCASE Commissioner Erin Harkey.
Without further adieu, here is the schedule by market day of week:
WEDNESDAYS: Pullman City Market, 11100 S. Cottage Grove Ave., July 5–October 25, 7 a.m.–1 p.m.
THURSDAYS: Daley Plaza City Market, 50 W. Washington St. May 11–October 26, 7 a.m.–2 p.m.; Austin Town Hall City Market, 5610 W. Lake St., June 8– October 26, 1 p.m.– 6 p.m.
SATURDAYS: Division Street City Market, 100 W. Division St., May 6–October 28, 7 a.m.–12 p.m.; Mercado de Colores, 4345 W. 26th St., June 3- October 7, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; West Humboldt Park City Market, 3601 W. Chicago Ave., June 3–October 7 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
SUNDAYS: Bronzeville City Market, 4700 S. King Dr. , July 9 – October 15, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; Maxwell Street Market, 800 S. Desplaines St., May 28 – October 29, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
And by opening day:
May 6: Division Street Farmers Market
May 11: Daley Plaza City Market
May 28: Maxwell Street Market
June 3: Mercado de Colores; West Humboldt Park City Market
June 8: Austin Town Hall City Market
July 5: Pullman City Market
July 9: Bronzeville City Market