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Top Seven Farmers’ Markets

The Season’s Start Is Only In A Matter of Days!

Chicago’s North Shore Top Seven Farmers’ Markets

There’s nothing like a good farmers’ market.

Of course, if you cooking’s not your thing it might not be your idea of nirvana, but for those who worship the altar of fresh fruit and veggies, there’s just something holy and sublime about making your way up and down aisles and aisles of farm picked food. Fresh markets are a seasonal treat, and the warm morning sun beating down on your shoulders as you hunch over the stalls in search of the perfect peach or pint of raspberries feels like the pure form of simple joy.

The experience of a Farmer’s Market overrides virtually any (even sometimes outrageous expense. And even if it’s really not any fresher than the produce in the grocery store it just feels so much better.

Here’s our NorthShoreInsider.com list of the best farmer’s markets this season can offer:

1. Wilmette French Market

Day: Saurdays (Starting This Weekend!!)
Time: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where: Metra parking lot.
Starts April 26th

The Details:

• European style open air market.
• Local and regional vendors featuring fresh produce, flowers and other products.
• Handmade jewelry, purses and garden art.

2. Evanston Farmer’s Market

Day: Saturdays
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where: University Pl. and Oak Ave.
Starts May 17th

The Details:

• More than 30 vendors offering fresh produce, meat, cheese, flowers and bakery items
• Free parking in the Maple Avenue parking garage.
• Sponsored by the City of Evanston.

3. Highland Park Farmer’s Market

Day: Fridays
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave.
Starts June 6th

The Details:

• Conventional and organic produce.
• Fresh breads and baked goods, as well as flowers.

4. Northfield Farmer’s Market

Day: Saturdays
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Where: Happ Rd., across from New Trier’s freshman campus.
Starts June 7th

The Details:

• Rain or shine.
• Locally-grown produce.
• Unique product offerings, including specialty Wisconsin cheeses, honey, maple syrup, herbal soaps, aromatherapy products, gourmet food items.
• Fresh-baked breads and sweets.
• Hanging baskets, annuals, perennials, shrubs, orchids and fresh-cut flowers.

5. Ravinia Farmer’s Market

Day: Wednesdays,
Time: 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where: Dean Ave. between Roger Williams and St. James Ave.
Starts June 11th

The Details:

• Locally- and regionally-grown fresh produce.
• Michigan fruits.
• Baked goods, meats and cheeses.

6. Deerfield Farmer’s Market

Day: Saturdays
Time: 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Where: Deerfield Rd. and Robert York Ave.
Starts June 14th

The Details:

• Rain or shine.
• Located in the commuter lot.
• Features seasonal produce grown by farmers from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.
• Hand-crafted Wisconsin cheese.
• Fresh-cut flowers, potted flowering plants, annuals and perennials.
• Fresh baked goods.
• Sponsored by the Village of Deerfield.

7. Glenview Farmer’s Market

Day: Saturdays
Time: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Where: Wagner Farm, 1510 Wagner Rd.
Starts June 21

The Details:

• Seasonal fruits and vegetables grown by area farmers.
• Farmers market traditional fare such as fresh-cut flowers, jellies and preserves and fresh-baked goods.
• Parking also available at St. Peter and Paul Church located directly across the street.
• Free, guided “Farmhouse Living” tours every Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Sponsored by the Glenview Park District.

Hey, we may have missed a market or two, and some potentially juicy insider tips. Don’t be shy tell us about them.