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Event Tue May 12 2009
Market Season is Back in the Loop
It's officially farmers market season for the Loop office crowd. The Federal Plaza market kicked off bright and early this morning at Adams and Dearborn, and Daley Plaza will follow suit on Thursday, just a few blocks north at Dearborn and Washington. (Markets at the Prudential Plaza and Sears Tower will begin June 9 and 18, respectively.)
As a regular at both the Federal and Daley plaza markets, I'm glad to see my favorites are still making the trek. I picked up potted basil, thyme, oregano and parsley plants for my container garden from my friends at Nichols Farm, and plan to buy my tomato plants at Daley Plaza on Thursday (a gal can only schlep so much home at one time on the El.) Smits Farms was there, with its no-fuss spread of fresh-cut herbs, and the Misericordia Hearts and Flour Bakery was on hand with yummy samples and delicious baked goods for sale to benefit people with developmental disabilities. Lehman's Orchard offered its usual piles of dried fruits and nuts, while mushroom and pickle lovers alike hovered around the Rivery Valley Kitchens tent, and the man with the natty hat from Kress Apiary sampled honey - minus his usual box of live bees.
Some new vendors to get excited about: Elena's Cucina, a family owned and operated deli out of Roselle, IL, which is selling several varieties of focaccia that would make a fast and delicious summer dinner with a side salad and a glass of crisp, white wine; and fans of Brunkow Cheese -- an artisanal, small-batch cheese company you may have tried at several Chicago restaurants and specialty shops -- will be glad to know they've expanded their farmers market appearances to include Federal and Daley plazas, Wicker Park and Lincoln Square.
It was so nice to have the market back, I visited twice today: once in the morning, to pick up my herbs, and again on my way back from a lunch meeting, just to enjoy the buzz.
Shawna R. B. Atteberry / May 12, 2009 5:20 PM
It's wonderful to have the farmer's markets open again. I was there this morning and enjoyed seeing those who were back and the newbies. I stocked up on fresh tomatoes. Yum!