Fair Trade and the Ease of Growing Greens
Plus, one new farmers market manager and the return of another
Contemporary Farmer: It’s Easy to Grow Greens
Fair Trade Chicago has worked hard since 2006 to increase support for economic and environmental justice through consumer education, advocacy and promotion of local fair trade businesses, with its principles of environmental sustainability, ethical production methods, fair wages, and safe working conditions.
And now, everyone can connect directly with the organization at its new Fair Trade Museum, a beautiful space located in the New City complex at 1457 N. Halsted St., just a couple of blocks south of North Ave.
Chicago Fair Trade featured the museum as host of its Fair Trade Fest, part of World Fair Trade Day, last Saturday (May 13). There were hours of interesting and fun programming, though I specifically attended to watch my friend David Toledo share his expertise on the ease of growing microgreens and lettuces indoors.
David founded his company Contemporary Farmer, Inc. in 2019 with the goal of connecting urban, rural and suburban farming initiatives and fostering intergenerational education around regenerative agriculture. A big part of that mission is teaching people how to grow their own food, mobilizing home growers “to develop edible spaces that redefine our relationships with local food systems.”
David walked the attendees through the indoor growing process, noting that it requires only five elements: grow lights, organic soil, organic seeds, water and time. At the completion of his presentation, he invited audience members to come up and trim several trays of greens to create a salad for everyone to share (I made the vinaigrette at David’s request).
The session completed with David providing jars, organic soil and either seeds or starter plants for participants to create their own mini-gardens.
Visit the Contemporary Farmer website to purchase grow lights, seeds and nutrients, and learn about upcoming events.
Also, the organization is finalizing a 40-page manual titled Regenerative Growth Guide 1.0, which will be published soon (Local Food Forum will share the word).
Also, do make a point of visiting the Fair Trade Museum, which has informative exhibits and a store selling beautiful jewelry and accessories, bags and baskets, clothing, children’s clothes and adorable toys, and food items, all fair trade of course.
Neighboring Communities’ New Market Managers
Local Food Forum is happy to introduce Veah Larde as the new manager of the Austin Town Hall City Market, a weekly market that will be held on Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. beginning on June 8. The market on June 15 will feature a Juneteenth celebration.
The market is located at 5610 W. Lake St. in Austin, and provides greater access to fresh, healthy, locally produced food in an under-resourced community on Chicago’s West Side. The market is part of the Chicago City Markets program administered by the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).
Like most of our region’s farmers markets, Austin Town Hall City Market accepts payments using SNAP (the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as Link in Illinois), and also participates in the Link Up Illinois program, run by the Experimental Station non-profit, that enables Link recipients to double the value of their benefits at farmers markets and other participating retail outlets.
Larde — an Austin native who is putting her Two Sisters Catering business on hiatus until November to focus on the success of the Town Hall market — says the market will have vendors from Chicago city and suburbs (including neighboring Oak Park and nearby Forest Park) and farms in Illinois and Michigan. A complete vendor list will be available the week before the market opens. She added, “We are thankful for the resources and volunteers we will be bringing to this market through amazing partners.”
Oak Park Farmers Market, in the suburban community that borders Austin on the west, is a pillar of the region’s farmers market scene, and it’s preparing to kick off its 48th season this Saturday, May 20, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 460 Lake St. And Local Food Forum is pleased to share that Colleen McNichols, an unparalleled ambassador for the Oak Park market, has returned as market manager after a couple of years’ break.
Colleen previously managed the Oak Park Farmers Market from the 2017 season through 2020. She has big plans, including a Heritage Apple Festival in late September.
Welcome back, Colleen, the Oak Park market is in good hands!