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Six Best Reasons to Shop at Farmers Market, From Natural Awakenings
- Bob Benenson
- Jul 26
- 2 min read
Read My Little Essay, and Get a Recipe from Illinois Farmers Market Leader
Since you're reading Local Food Forum, there's a good chance you need no persuasion to shop at farmers markets. That isn't true of everyone, so I was happy to accept an invitation from Peggy Malecki — publisher of Natural Awakenings Chicago and a longtime friend — to write any essay about the importance of farmers markets and why everyone should patronize them.
The article includes my six best reasons to shop at farmers markets. I want you to click the link below and read the Natural Awakenings article, so I won't spoil those here. Shared below are excerpts with historical context about the fall and rebirth of the region's and nation's farmers market culture:
Farmers markets are now deeply woven into the fabric of the Lake Michigan region’s food culture. Illinois has the third most farmers markets among states, with the Illinois Farmers Market Association (ilfma.org/find-a-market) counting more than 300 seasonal markets.
The Chicago region alone hosts nearly 100 farmers markets during the peak summer season. The metropolis is served by local farms throughout Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana—each with its own robust farmers market community...
The scene has become such a staple that many people don’t realize how much smaller it was not long ago... For most of the nation’s history, agriculture consisted mainly of small farms selling products to their local communities. The rise of industrial farming, supermarkets and the conventional food system overshadowed this localized way of selling food... by the late 20th century, only a few hundred farmers markets remained across the country.
That changed rapidly. A growing number of consumers—concerned about the widespread use of chemicals in industrial agriculture, seeking healthier diets and wanting a more personal connection to their food—spurred a dramatic revival of the farmers market sector.
Click the button below to read the full article, including those six best reasons.
And if you are a farmers market manager, vendor or fan (anywhere), please click the button below and share your thoughts about why farmers markets are important. I'd be happy to publish them.
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And since we're talking 'bout farmers markets, Natural Awakenings Chicago each month publishes a recipe by Jane Maxwell, executive director of the Illinois Farmers Market Association (ILFMA), that includes ingredients seasonally available in this region.
The recipe in the current issue is for a blueberry crumble. Blueberries, which usually have a long growing season, are plentiful in Chicago-region markets now. The dessert looks lovely and easy to make (only six ingredients!).
Click below to get the recipe.
And click below to learn more about Illinois Farmers Market Association.
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