The Farmers' Market

The Farmers' Market concept is not a new one, but it is suddenly very trendy again. When you visit a farmers' market or roadside stand let your sensory perceptions be your guide.

Sniff the air and buy fruit that is fragrant. Fruit in the grocery store is often odorless because it is harvested while still green. In an open-air market everything is different. Fruit that has ripened in the summer sun is always fruity and sweet smelling.

Look for bright colors. The sun is also essential in the production of summer fruits' vivid colors. Buy brightly colored produce with a waxy sheen.

Listen for the sound of freshness. Green beans should snap when they break. Avoid limp produce and go for the crisp, crunch of freshness.

Taste a sample. Ask to taste a sample if possible. There aren't many places left where you can sample before you buy. Take advantage of the opportunity to sample strawberries, blueberries, peaches or any produce before purchasing.

Touch and gently squeeze tomatoes, eggplant and other produce before selection. Know the signs of quality for each item you select and exercise your knowledge at the farmers' market.

After careful selection of your produce, you are now responsible for packaging and transporting it home. As you buy, pack things carefully. If you are buying fragile produce, such as raspberries or lettuce, you might want to bring a small cooler with an ice pack to keep things fresh until you get home.

For more information on the selection of fresh produce, visit our website Watch Your Garden Grow for information on planting, growing, care, selection, harvesting, nutritional value, preservation at http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/veggies/. For a complete listing of U-Pick farms and roadside markets check out our Illinois Fresh website at: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/fresh/

Following is a list of the Chicago Farmers' Markets.

Downtown markets - 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

Daley Plaza, Washington & Clark. Thursdays: July 8 & 22; August 5 & 19; September 2 & 23 and Tuesday, October 5.

Federal Plaza, on the Federal Building Plaza east of the Post Office at Adams & Dearborn. Tuesdays through October 12.

Prudential Plaza on the Prudential Building Plaza, Lake & Beaubien Court. Thursdays: July 1, 15, 29; August 12 & 26; October 7 & 21.

Community markets - 7:00 am - 2 pm unless noted otherwise

Tuesdays

Lincoln Square in the city parking lot at Lincoln/Leland/Western. Weekly through October 19.

Logan Square on the Plaza at the northeast corner of Milwaukee, Diversey and Woodard. July 6, August 3, September 7 & October 5.

Museum of Contemporary Art on the museum plaza, Chicago & Mies van der Rohe. July 13, August 10 & September 14. Hours: 11am - 7 pm.

Wednesdays

Lawndale in the Community Bank of Lawndale parking lot, Grenshaw & Homan, weekly through October 20.

South Shore at the South Shore Cultural Center, 71st & South Shore Drive.

Thursdays

Gresham in Continental Plaza, northeast corner of parking lot, 76th & Racine. Through October 21.

Hyde Park in the cul-de-sac, 52nd Place & Harper Court. Weekly through October 21.

Saturdays: All Saturday markets are held weekly through October 23.

Austin in the Byford School parking lot, Iowa & Central.

Edgewater in the park on the southeast corner, Broadway & Thorndale.

Englewood on the plaza in the northeast corner, 63rd & Halsted.

Gately in the Smith School parking lot, 103rd & Cottage Grove.

Lincoln Park in the Lincoln Park High School parking lot, Armitage &Halsted.

Morgan Park in the Third Baptist Church parking lot, 95th & Ashland.

Near North on Elm between State & Dearborn.

Near South in the Dunbar High School parking lot, 29th & King.

North Center in the North Center Town Square, at Belle Plaine/Lincoln/Damen.

North Halsted in the Faith Tabernacle Church parking lot, at Grace/Broadway/Halsted.

Printer's Row on the sidewalk on Polk between Dearborn & Federal.

Sundays: All Sunday markets are held monthly.

Beverly in the city parking lot on the southeast corner, 95th & Longwood. July 25, August 29 September 26 & October 24.

Bucktown in the Dummond School parking lot, Cortland & Wolcott. July 11, August 8, September 12 & October 10.

East Side in the St. Francis DeSales High School parking lot, 102nd & Ewing. July 25, August 29, September 26 & October 24.

Far North in the Warren Park parking lot, Western & Albion, July 11, August 8, September 12 & October 10.

Lincoln Park Zoo on the grounds of the Farm-in-the-Zoo, Stockton Drive & Lincoln Park Zoo. July 27, August 29, September 26 & October 24. Hours: 9 am - 4:30 pm.

Loyola/Rogers Park in the southwest corner of the Loyola University parking lot, Arthur & Sheridan. July 11, August 8, September 12 & October 10.

For more information call (312) 744-9187.

July 1999
Gardening in July | 50 Plants & Flowers You May Not Want to Eat | Butterflies & Caterpillars in Your Garden | Patch Disease in Lawns | Ode to Violet | Lawn Care Calendar | Bug Bites | Cybergarden Sites | Hort Shorts | Hort Tips | Summer Time is Tea Time | Locally Grown: The Farmers' Market | Summertime Food: Eating in the Street | It's a Wash: Gardener's Hands | Health & Household Tips | Did You Know

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