Listings, Ducklings and Goslings
This week's Chicago region market schedule and seriously cute birds
DUCKLINGS!
I’d almost finished a full circle of North Pond this morning, satisfied that I’d at least seen more goslings than on my previous trips. But just when I was about to head to the bus stop to go home, I noticed some motion, and as I got closer, I saw the scene above: A brood of tiny wood ducklings and their mom.
I know, this is a food publication and probably most people aren’t as captivated by baby waterfowl as I am. But I’m confident that Local Food Forum readers love nature, and I hope that by sharing these photos, I’m also sharing a bit of joy with you.
More photos below, but first, back to food.
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Boring Breakfast? Bah, Humbug.
Keep some delicious local ingredients in your house and it’s easy to throw together a restaurant brunch-quality breakfast any old day.
This morning I split a bagel. Then I topped one half with chive horseradish havarti from Stamper Cheese (Chicago), French breakfast radishes from Nichols Farm and Orchard (Marengo, Illinois), and homemade breakfast sausage with ground pork from Jake’s Country Meats (Cassopolis, Michigan). On the other side is 4-year-old cheddar (Stamper again), sautéed white mushrooms from River Valley Ranch (Burlington. Wisconsin) and more sausage.
Toast in the toaster over until the cheese has melted, and enjoy.
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This Week’s Chicago Region Market Schedule
Now the outdoor farmers market season is really in business, with more than two dozen new market openings around the city and the region this week — just in time for those peak season crops to start flooding in. Take a look at the listings and pick a market (or two) to visit this week.
For Illinois markets outside the Chicago region, check out the interactive farmers market map on the home page of Illinois Farmers Market Association.
(* =Season openings)
Tuesday, May 31
Lincoln Square Tuesday Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to noon, Lincoln & Leland, Chicago
Woodstock Tuesday Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m, Historic Woodstock Square
Wednesday, June 1
Andersonville Farmers Market, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., 1500 W. Catalpa Ave., Chicago
Elmhurst Farmers Market*, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.,, York Rd. and Valette
Garfield Ridge Farmers Market*, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., 6072 S. Archer, Chicago
Green City Wednesday Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1817 N. Clark, Chicago
Ravinia Farmers Market*, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jens Jensen Park, Highland Park
Riverside Farmers Market*, 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., 10 Pine Ave.
Uptown Farmers Market, 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., 4620 N. Broadway, Chicago
Thursday, June 2
AMITA St. Mary and Elizabeth West Town Health Farmers Market*, 1 p.m to 6 p.m., 2233 W. Division St., Chicago
Daley Plaza Chicago City Market, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., 50 W. Washington St., Chicago
Glencoe Farmers Market*, 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Wyman Green
Growing Home Farm Stand, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 1844 W. 59th St., Chicago
La Grange Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 53 S. La Grange Rd.
Libertyville Farmers Market*, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Cook Park and W. Church St.
Lincoln Square Thursday Market, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Lincoln & Leland, Chicago
PCC Austin Farmers Market*, 10 a.m. to noon, 330 N. Lotus Ave., Chicago
South Loop Farmers Market Grant Park*, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., S.E. corner of Roosevelt and Michigan, Chicago
Friday, June 3
Back of the Yards Farmers Market, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m, 940 W. 50th Pl., Chicago
Lake Bluff Farmers Market*, 7 a.m. to noon, Village Green
Lake Zurich Farmers Market*, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., 200 S. Rand Rd.
St. Charles Indoor Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to noon, Baker Memorial Church
Schaumburg Farmers Market*, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 190 S. Roselle Rd.
Saturday, June 4
Aurora Downtown Farmers Market*, 8 a.m. to noon, Water St. Square
Batavia Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon, N. River St. betw. Wilson and Spring
Brookfield Farmers Market*, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 8820 Brookfield Ave,.
Division Street Chicago City Market, 7 a.m. to noon, Chicago
Downers Grove Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 5001 Main St.
Downtown Evanston Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m, University Place and Oak Ave.
Elk Grove Farmers Market*, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 901 Wellington Ave.
Grayslake Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 201 Center St.
Green City Market Lincoln Park, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1817 N. Clark, Chicago
Green City Market West Loop, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 115 S. Sangamon St.
Homewood Farmers Market, 8 a.m to 1 p.m., Martin Ave. betw .Ridge & Chestnut
Horner Park Farmers Market*, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2741 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago
Huntley Farmers Market, 8 a.m to 1 p.m.,11704 Coral St.
Kankakee Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon, S. Schuyler and Merchant
Mercado de Colores*, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 4345 W. 26th St. Chicago
Naperville Farmers Market*, 7 a.m. to noon, 200 E. 5th Ave.
Northcenter Farmers Market*, 8 a.m to 1 p.m., 4101 N. Damen Ave., Chicago
Oak Park Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m, 460 Lake St.
Park Forest Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to noon, 152 Main St.
Palatine Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 137 W. Wood St.
Park Ridge Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 15 Prairie Ave.
Plant Chicago Farmers Market*, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Davis Square Park
61st Street Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 6100 S. Blackstone Ave., Chicago
South Chicago Farmers Market*, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 9000 S. Mackinaw, Chicago
South Loop Farmers Market Printers Row, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 632 S. Dearborn St., Chicago
Streator Farmers Market*, 8 a.m. to noon, 200 N. Park St.
The Lincoln Park Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2001 N. Orchard, Chicago
West Humboldt Chicago City Market*, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 3601 W. Chicago Ave.
Winnetka Farmers Market*, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 510 Green Bay Rd.
Woodstock Saturday Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m, Historic Woodstock Square
Sunday, June 5
Glenwood Sunday Market*, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Glenwood Ave. betw. Morse & Lunt, Chicago
Hyde Park Farmers Market*, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., 54th St. & Old Lake Park Ave. West, Chicago
Logan Square Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3107 W. Logan Blvd., Chicago
Mount Prospect Lions Club Farmers Market*, 8 a.m to 1 p.m., Northwest Hwy. & Main St.
Pilsen Community Market, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1811-25 S. Blue Island Ave., Chicago
Portage Park Farmers Market*, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4100 N. Long Ave. Chicago
95th St. Farmers Market, 8 a.m to 1 p.m., 1835 W. 95th St., Chicago
Skokie Farmers Market*, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 5127 Oakton St.
The Dole Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 401 Country Club Rd.
Wicker Park Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1425 N. Damen Ave., Chicago
Coming Up Next Week
Monday, June 6: Edgewater (Chicago) Farmers Market, Hinsdale Farmers Market
Tuesday, June 7: Low-Line (Chicago) Market, Sycamore Farmers Market, SOAR (Chicago) Farmers Market
Thursday, June 9: Austin Town Hall City Market, Barrington Farmers Market
Saturday, June 11 : Deerfield Farmers Market, Garfield Park (Chicago) Neighborhood Market
Sunday, June 12: Buffalo Grove Farmers Market, Jefferson Park (Chicago) Farmers Market, North Park (Chicago) Community Market, Roscoe Village Farmers Market
As always, if I’ve missed anyone, please let me know at bob@localfoodforum.com.
Honk If You Love Geeses (and Ducks)
More from my latest North Pond excursion.
Luv the birds!