The Logan Square Line Up
Yep, local is already looking lively, and we're not near peak season
Know Your Farmer, Know Your Fellow Shopper
Local Food Forum has discussed the spike in interest drawn by local food in general and farmers markets in particular during the pandemic. The 2022 season is a test of whether these gains will continue. After my visit today to Logan Square Farmers Market, I’m feeling confident that they will.
There were lines at some of the most popular stands, including Zeitlin’s Delicatessen. But the lines moved swiftly, the folks queued up were friendly, and wouldn’t you wait a few minutes for this?
Immediately below is my market haul, following by other scenes around Logan Square (includes Dogs of the Farmers Market).
Clockwise from lower left: white mushrooms from River Valley Ranch (Burlington, Wisconsin), heirloom hothouse tomatoes from Piedt Farms (Eau Claire, Michigan); kielbasa, ground pork and eggs from Jake’s Country Meats (Cassopolis, Michigan); two tofu salads from Phoenix Bean Tofu (Chicago); and bagels, bialys and “super-sour” pickles from Zeitlin’s Delicatessen (Chicago).
Piedt Farms is really rocking those hothouse heirloom tomatoes (along with the finally ubiquitous asparagus).
While we’re still waiting for more outdoor crops, we’re starting to see a bigger variety of hoophouse-grown produce. Frillman Farms (Prairie View, Illinois and Berrien Springs, Michigan) had beets.
Lots of green things at the Geneva Lakes Produce stand (Burlington, Wisconsin and Kankakee, Illinois).
The farmers market is very near the Illinois Centennial Monument, dedicated in 1918 to commemorate Illinois’ 100 years of statehood. It was designed by Henry Bacon, who was also the architect of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
And finally, some Dogs of the Farmers Market (I’ll have more tomorrow).
That's one rockin' farmers' market!