PRODUCE l An farmer friend regularly sends watermelons of immense size, but she truly outdid herself with this 32.3-pound Giant. Also, meet the Barbarella eggplant

HOME GARDENING l Aquager is a Chicago startup turning home counters and living rooms into produce aisles — with hydroponic farms designed as beautiful furniture...

URBAN FARMING l Bob Heuer is an advocate for strong local food ecosystems. His contributed article describes efforts to build an urban agriculture plan for Chicago

FARMERS MARKETS l The Ravinia Farmers Market manager's dream of a combo market and concert at the nearby festival venue came to fruition, & the evening was a success

FARMERS MARKETS l Peak summer produce season is awesome, but the transition between summer and fall is like a taste of both seasons. No sour grapes, for sure...

LOCAL FOOD NEWS l Local Food Forum and Natural Awakenings Chicago are collaborating on a feature, Local Food Dispatch, which highlights regional event and food info

WATERMELON l The legend of the Sword in the Watermelon began with the first delivery of a fruit of immense size. Tackling a 22-lb. melon isn't pretty but it is tasty

FARMERS MARKETS l A tour of Chicago's Green City Market featured Local Food Forum, Naturally Chicago, Green City's executive director, and two chef-philanthropists

LOCAL FOOD l It's one of my favorite annual rituals: receiving a watermelon of immense size from one of my favorite Illinois farmers. Get a load of this 22-pounder..

FARMERS MARKETS l The show and pop-up market presented by Ravinia summer music festival and Ravinia Farmers Market Aug. 20 can be the dream concert picnic...