As summer approaches, Evanston residents and Northwestern students alike can pick up some fresh produce at the Evanston Farmer’s Market. The farmer’s market is located in the parking lot right behind the Hilton Garden Inn on Maple Avenue and it will run every Saturday morning from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. until November 5.
Last Saturday’s market was the first of the year. Although most farmers are still waiting on the bulk of their fresh produce because of the cold spring, the farmer’s market is already worth visiting. It boasts four rows of booths from local farms, a few musicians and a number of booths manned by other businesses in the area, such as Great Harvest Bread.
Many of the booths featured plant seedlings ranging from small tomato plants to baby fig trees. Though most students don’t have the space or energy for their own garden, the small herb plants are worth exploring. Chives, thyme and sage are all surprisingly easy to contain and grow in a small pot by the kitchen sink. Most plant-based booths at the market also sell cut flowers, a perfect option for next time you’re looking for a bouquet to brighten up your coffee table!
For the non-gardeners, the market offers prepared foods in addition to fresh fruits and vegetables. The booth closest to the market entrance features countless jams and jellies, pickles, salsas, flavored honeys and dried fruit. Their dried fruit includes everything from sweet apricots to spicy wasabi peas. They come packaged in large Ziploc bags for five dollars and are delicious eaten as a snack or as an addition to salads and rice dishes.
In the second row of the market, Kinnikinnick Farms offers plants in ceramic pots, goat’s milk soap and fresh organic eggs. The River Valley Kitchens booth is the perfect destination for granola, fresh olives and an abundance of mushrooms. Two booths sell Wisconsin cheeses (and classic cheese curds) and a Piedmont Beef booth is entirely dedicated to fresh, organic beef.
If you’re here through the summer, the farmer’s market will only grow and get more exciting. In July and the beginning of August, local artists display and sell their artwork to the market. On the second and fourth Saturdays in June, July, August and September, local cooking school Now We’re Cookin’ hosts food demonstrations and tastings as a part of the market.
So this Saturday, venture off campus for an easy outdoor shopping trip. Only a few blocks away, you’ll find reasonably-priced local produce and delicious prepared foods to make your pantry, and your plate, a little bit more exciting.
