New Downtown Chicago Market Opens May 2
Also, this week's outdoor market schedule, and more asparagus tips
Meet The Farmer at the Green
Good news for local food lovers who live or work downtown: There is a new weekly farmers market coming to the West Loop, and they are wasting no time getting started, with their opening date next Tuesday (May 2) from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m..
The Farmer at the Green is presented by BMO Bank and is located in the large green space at 320 S. Canal St. that adjoins the 50-story BMO office tower that opened in 2021. The market will take place every Tuesday, starting next week, through October 24.
The vendor list includes familiar names from our area’s farmers market circuit, including Bennett Farms, Jacobson Family Farms, Los Rodriguez Farm, Lyons Fruit Farm, Nuts to Go, Star Farm Chicago, and Zeitlin’s Delicatessen. There will also be pop-up vendors, which on opening day will include Katherine Anne Confections, one of Chicago’s most popular chocolatiers and candy makers.
There will also be an unusual number of ready to eat food options. Along with vendors in the market itself, customers will be able to dine at the Canal Street Eatery and Afterbar inside the BMO building. And, unusual for local farmers markets, patrons will be able to buy adult beverages in non-glass containers and enjoy them while browsing the market.
With musical entertainment planned for each week, the market at the Green at 320 will provide a convivial outdoor atmosphere in a part of downtown that doesn’t have many such amenities. And with its late afternoon/early evening hours and a location a block south of Union Station and a few blocks south of Ogilvie Transportation Center, it will enable commuters to buy some of that great fresh, healthy and sustainable local food on their way home.
I am hoping to drop by next Tuesday to report on their opening day.
Two New Market Openings to Round Out April
The first big tranche of outdoor market openings is a week away. But as we close out April, we’re happy to welcome two regional markets opening for the season on Saturday.
One is The Lincoln Park Farmers Market, located in the parking lot of Lincoln Park High School, managed by good friend Elsa Jacobson, and celebrating its 42nd year as one of Chicago’s longest-running farmers markets.
(As many of you know, this market is not to be confused with Green City Market, which has been open since April 1 and is located about three-quarters of a mile east in the actual Lincoln Park for which the neighborhood is named.)
The other is Woodstock Farmers Market, located about 50 miles northwest of downtown Chicago around Woodstock’s Historic Square. Even if you’re not from that area, it’s worth a field trip sometime this year (we took one last summer) because Woodstock is a charming small city; it’s located in McHenry County, home to a growing number of sustainable small farms; and, for movie fans, it is where the classic Bill Murray comedy Groundhog Day was filmed.
Note: We want to provide as complete a list of scheduled farmers markets as possible. If you see any errors or notice that your favorite market was accidentally omitted, please let me know by replying to this newsletter or emailing me at bob@localfoodforum.com.
Saturday, April 30
Grayslake Farmers Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 201 Center St.
Green City Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1817 N. Clark St., Lincoln Park, Chicago
Logan Square Pop-Up Market, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2800 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago*
The Lincoln Park Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2001 N. Orchard, Chicago
Woodstock Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Historic Woodstock Square
* The Logan Square Pop-Up Markets are special events and are located at Solidarity Triangle, not the regular outdoor Logan Square Farmers Market location nearby. The official Logan Square outdoor market season begins Sunday, May 14 at its regular location.
Next Week…
Tuesday, May 2
Lincoln Square Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., Lincoln & Leland Aves., Chicago
The Farmer at the Green, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., 320 S. Canal St., Chicago
Woodstock Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Historic Woodstock Square
Wednesday, May 3
Green City Wednesday Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1817 N. Clark St., Lincoln Park, Chicago
Uptown Farmers Market, 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Sunnyside Mall (betw. Magnolia & Beacon), Chicago
Thursday, May 4
Growing Home Englewood Farm Stand, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1844 W. 59th St., Chicago
Lincoln Square Thursday Farmers Market, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Lincoln & Leland Aves., Chicago
Saturday, May 6
Division Street City Market, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., 100 W. Division St., Chicago
Downtown Evanston Farmers Market, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., University Place and Oak 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 St., Lincoln Park, Chicago
Green City Market West Loop, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1817 N. Clark St., Lincoln Park, Chicago
Kankakee Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., S. Schuyler Ave. & Merchant St.
Park Forest Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., 152 Main St.
Palatine Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Palatine Train Station
The Lincoln Park Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2001 N. Orchard, Chicago
Woodstock Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Historic Woodstock Square
Sunday, May 7
95th Street Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1835 W. 95th St., Chicago
Wicker Park Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1425 N. Damen Ave., Chicago
More Asparagus Versatility
As I noted in Monday’s issue, the asparagus now in season is not only delicious, but very versatile. Here’s another example: the asparagus omelet I made for our dinner last night.
For this, I chopped up one bunch of asparagus (from Mick Klug Farm) and sautéed it in butter. I then started the eggs cooking over medium-low temperature. When the eggs were just about set, I added the asparagus with some crumbled cooked bacon (from 99 Counties) and cubed cheddar cheese.
When it was done, I cut it so Barb and I each got half and served it with toasted rye bread. As you can see, omelet folding isn’t my greatest skill, but it sure was tasty.
My only asparagus mistake: I only bought three bunches on Saturday, not enough for the week. But with weekday markets coming on the schedule starting next week, this blunder will not happen again.