Outdoor farmers markets/stands open May through October in Chicago

June 2019 — Tasteless fruit and vegetables from grocery stores lead people to seek other sources for their produce. Farmers markets/stands, which often eliminate the middle man, offer the possibility of tastier, more varied, seasonal and locally grown edible plants.

Some indoor markets like the monthly one at The Plant offer produce year-round because it is grown inside, either in water or a protected green house. Other indoor markets are available in warm weather, offering more seasonal fare from local vendors; outdoor markets provide less protection for the same fare.

How healthy the produce is depends on how it is raised, so customers can ask vendors whether or not they grew the fare and if they used pesticides. Unlike similar items in the grocery store, market/stand produce was probably picked when it was ripe. Often consumers can feel or thump the item to test for ripeness: more give or hollow sounds usually provide clues.

Our September 2018 article covered urban farms in South Chicagoland, which returned lost nutrients into soil formerly contaminated by industry. Most of them sell shares of their produce to individuals and food businesses; however, once or twice a week, they set up stands to sell their leftovers to anyone else. Before BIOS Farm in suburban Blue Island closed, it offered weekly leftovers on Wednesday evening and Saturday morning. Urban farmers in Chicago also deliver shares and sell leftovers at farmers markets/stands. Most accept LINK cards; nine don’t. They are listed in our Farmers Markets category at the top of the Home page.