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Timing for Early-Season Crop Arrival in Chicago is Anyone's Guess
- Bob Benenson
- Apr 5
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 19
Wide April Temperature Swings Make Produce Predictions Challenging
After a soggy start on April 4, the Chicago region's outdoor farmers market season only had to wait a week for a near-cloudless morning on April 11. I visited Green City Market at its flagship location in Chicago's Lincoln Park (which has also been the local market for this Lakeview resident since Barb and I moved here 15 years ago).
A leader in Chicagoland's local food community since its founding in 1999, Green City has seldom wanted for shoppers. But its markets have been packed since the surge in local food interest during the COVID pandemic, and it hasn't let up a bit, as the above photos taken on the bright but chilly Saturday morning illustrated.
Because Chicago weather is so variable from year to year (and even day to day), it is typically just guesswork to figure when seasonal crops will be coming in (or even going out) of the local markets.
On Saturday, there were a few more ramps on the tables, but not many. There were radishes and greens and Nichols Farm and Orchard (Marengo, Illinois) had red cabbages.
But we'll just have to wait and see the impact of the well above average temperatures that are predicted until at least the end of this week. Does this mean that cool weather-loving ramps will have their season cut short? Does it mean a super-early start for our bounty of asparagus (most of which comes from Michigan, the leading asparagus-producing state)?
I'll be out there next weekend to answer some questions. But the best way to find out what is hitting the markets is to visit one yourself. Local Food Forum's Farmers Market Tracker — which currently includes the early-early outdoor markets and the remaining indoor markets — follows to help you find one that's convenient to you.
And my haul from Saturday's Green City Market: cremini mushrooms (more in the brown bag) from River Valley Ranch (Burlington, Wisconsin); French breakfast radishes from Jacobson Family Farms (Antioch, Illinois); ramps from Kajers Greens (North Judson, Indiana); frozen apple cider (from last fall's crop) from Ellis Family Farms (Benton Harbor, Michigan); carrots and onions from Nichols; and ham slices and bratwurst flavored with Virtue Cider from Jake's Country Meats (Cassopolis, Michigan).
So yes, I bought from all four of the Lake Michigan states in Chicago's foodshed. Local food bingo!
Markets for the Week of April 13-19 (Outdoor Farmers Markets in black and Remaining Indoor Markets in blue)
*means season opener
FRIDAY, APRIL 17
St. Charles Indoor Farmers/Baked Goods Market, Baker Memorial Church, 307 Cedar, St. Charles
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Chicago Nettlehorst French Market, 3252 N. Broadway, Chicago *
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Grayslake Farmers Market, 201 Center St., Grayslake
10 a.m to 2 p.m.
Green City Lincoln Park, 1817 N. Clark St., Chicago
7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wheaton French Market, Main and Liberty, Wheaton
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wilmette French Market, 722 Green Bay Rd., Wilmette *
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Batavia Farmers Market, Sturdy Shelter Brewing, 10 S. Shumway Avenue
9 a.m. to 12 p.m, through May 9
Evanston Winter Farmers Market, Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd.
8 a.m to 12:30 p.m.
Palatine Farmers Market, 137 W. Wood St., Palatine
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Ravinia Winter Farmers Market, Wayfarer Theater, 1850 Second St., Highland Park
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Wheaton Indoor Market, Wheaton Mason’s Lodge, 120 W. Wesley
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
SUNDAY, APRIL 19
Geneva French Market, Metra parking lot (4th and South), Geneva
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Farmers Market at the Dole, 401 Country Club Rd.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
FOLLOWING WEEK'S OPENINGS
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
The Lincoln Park Farmers Market, Chicago
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
Frankfort Country Market, Frankfort
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