Weather or Not, Chicago's Outdoor Market Season Opens Saturday

Join Us at Green City Market in Lincoln Park

There are many ways to declare the official start of spring. The vernal equinox, of course. Baseball opening day. The first flowers, bursting tree buds, rabbits, and geese flying north.

And, of course, the kickoff to the Chicago region's nearly nine-month-long outdoor farmers market season, which takes place on Saturday (April 5) from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Green City Market's flagship Lincoln Park location.

This is the fourth year in which Green City has rolled the dice on Chicago weather by opening on the first Saturday in April. The forecast isn't exactly balmy but it's about what you'd expect for April 5 and it looks dry. So let's put on a coat, get out there and celebrate our local food community.

Check out this, other April openings, and the remaining seasonal indoor markets in this Local Food Forum article.

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Our 4th Anniversary Campaign: 20% of New Subscriptions Go To Farmers Rising

Help Local Food Forum Grow While We Help This Farmer Education Non-Profit

Local Food Forum is marking its 4th anniversary (April 1) by asking you to become a paid subscriber and help make this unique, mission-driven publication more self-sustaining. It is the honor of a lifetime to be of service to the community of people working to build a better food system.

But this isn’t just a subscription campaign. It’s a fundraiser: 20 percent of the proceeds from all subscriptions initiated through April 30 will go to Farmers Rising, the farmer education non-profit based in the north-central Illinois community of Caledonia.

For each new $50 Local Food Forum subscription, Farmers Rising receives $10
For each new $100 premier subscription, Farmers Rising receives $20
For each new $5 monthly subscription, we will multiply by 12 to assume a $60 full-year commitment and send $12 to Farmers Rising

Want to get even more involved with Local Food Forum while providing greater benefits to Farmers Rising? There’s a link in the article to contact me to discuss.

I am a longtime admirer of Farmers Rising (known as Angelic Organics Learning Center until its 2023 rebranding), which plays such an important role in helping new and early-stage small farms build their businesses and grow. I have been happy to support its efforts in many ways.

Naturally Chicago and Farmers Rising will truly appreciate any and all support. Please join us in standing for small farmers and working together to build a better food system.

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Join Local Food Forum for an April 17 Panel on Humane Supply Chain

Live Event to Take Place at DePaul University's Downtown Chicago Campus

Local Food Forum is pleased to partner with the Crate Free USA non-profit on "The Business Case for a More Humane Supply Chain" — a live panel event that will take place on Thursday, April 17 at DePaul University's downtown Chicago campus (25 East Jackson Boulevard, Room 341). The program runs from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The event, free to attend is hosted by DePaul's Center for Animal Law. Crate Free USA is a farm animal welfare non-profit that is focused on supporting local farmers, improving welfare of animals on factory farms, and educating students of all ages about the humane treatment of animals raised for food.

Bob Benenson, publisher of Local Food Forum, will moderate the panel. The expert panelists are:

* Marc Ayers: Illinois State Director, Humane World for Animals
* Maisie Ganzler: Strategic Advisor, Bon Appétit Management Company
* Zak Dolezal: Chef/Owner, Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen, Crystal Lake, Illinois
* Kelly Hilovsky: Director of Social & Environmental Responsibility Operations, ButcherBox

Get all the details in this Local Food Forum article, and please join us.