Get it while it's fresh
FARMERS MARKETS | Our complete listing of city and suburb locations
It's always nice to visit farmers markets, where growers bring their products directly to customers. In the spring, summer and early autumn, Chicagoans can shop in the great outdoors. As the seasons progress, different items are available.
In addition to freshly picked fruits and veggies, market-goers also can look for fresh herbs, bread, nuts, honey, jams, pies, nuts, plants and flowers.
Before actually purchasing anything, stroll around a farmers market to see who has what and at what price and quality. Here's your chance be adventurous and try something you never sampled before. Some growers offer tips for how to prepare the produce.
Bringing along your own canvas bag is a good idea, too. And, take your time and relish the atmosphere.
Here is a list of farmers markets in the city and suburbs:
Ashburn. Marquette Park, 71st and Kedzie. Sundays, June 22-Oct. 19.
Austin. Parking lot of the Emmet Math, Science & Technology Academy, Madison and Central. Saturdays, July 12-Oct. 25.
Beverly. City parking lot, southeast corner of 95th and Longwood. Sundays, June 8-Oct. 19.
Bronzeville. 4400 S. Cottage Grove. Sundays, June 15-Oct. 19.
Chatham/Seaway. Seaway National Bank parking lot, 87th and Langley. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays, July 16-Oct. 1. For info on this market: (773) 602-4865; www.seawaybank.us
Daley Plaza. Washington and Dearborn. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 2.
Dunning. Parking lot of Eli's Cheesecake Co., Montrose and Forest Preserve Avenue. Thursdays, June 19-Oct. 30.
Edgewater. 6034 N. Broadway. 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays, June 28-Oct. 18. For info on this market: (773) 561-6000.
Englewood. 6452 S. Ashland. Hours TBA. Thursdays, June 19-Oct. 30. (773) 535-9310; www.imsaenglewoodfarmers market.weebly.com.
Federal Plaza. Adams and Dearborn. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, through Oct. 28.
Gately/Pullman. Arcade Park, 111th and Cottage Grove. Wednesdays, June 11-Oct. 29.
Humboldt Park. 2800 W. Division. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, June 21-Sept. 27.
Hyde Park. On the cul-de-sac at 52nd Place and Harper Court. Thursdays, June 5-Oct. 30.
Lakeview. Nettlehorst School, Broadway and Melrose. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 1. For info on this market: (630) 784-0862.
Lawndale. Green Youth Farm, 3555 W. Ogden. Wednesdays, July 9-Oct. 15.
Lincoln Park. Parking lot of Lincoln Park High School, Armitage and Orchard. Saturdays, through Oct. 25.
Lincoln Park. At the south end of Lincoln Park, Clark and La Salle. 7 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays through Oct. 25. For info on this market: (773) 435-0280; www.chicagogreencitymarket.org.
Lincoln Square. City parking lot at Lincoln, Leland and Western. Tuesdays, June 10-Oct. 28.
Logan Square. 3107 W. Logan. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays, June 1-Oct. 26. For info on this market: (773) 489-3222; www. logansquarefarmersmarket.org
Morgan Park. Parking lot of Shiloah M.B. Church, 92nd and Ashland. Saturdays, June 28-Oct. 25.
Mount Greenwood. Chicago High School for Agricultural Science, 3857 W. 111th St. 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m, Monday-Saturday, June 25-Sept. 25. For info on this market: (773) 535-2500.
Near North Side. On Division, between State and Clark. Saturdays, May 31-Oct. 25.
North Center. North Center Town Square, at Lincoln, Damen and Belle Plaine. Saturdays, June 14-Oct. 18.
Printers Row. Parking lot at Dearborn and Polk. Saturdays, June 14-Oct. 18.
Prudential Building Plaza. Lake and Beaubien. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, June 10-Oct. 21.
River North. Erie Park, 530 W. Erie. Sundays, June 22-Oct. 26.
Sears Tower. Jackson and Wacker (on the park between the 311 S. Wacker building and Sears Tower). 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays, June 19-Oct. 30.
South Chicago. Chief Nomo's Oasis, 2650 E. 83rd St. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, July 1-Oct. 28. For info on this market: (773) 844-9547.
South Shore. ShoreBank parking lot, 70th and Jeffery. Wednesdays, June 11-Oct. 29.
Southport. Blaine School, 1420 W. Grace. 8 a.m.-noon. Saturdays, June 14-Oct. 11. For info on this market: (312) 458-0762; www.southportgreenmarket.com
Streeterville.Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago (on the plaza). 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, June 10-Oct. 28.
Uptown.Truman College, Broadway at Wilson. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays, June 19-Oct. 23.
Wicker Park/Bucktown. Wicker Park and Damen. Sundays, June 8-Oct. 26.
Woodlawn.61st Street, between Dorchester and Blackstone. Saturdays, through Oct. 25. For info on this market: www.experimentalstation.org
NORTHERN SUBURBS
Deerfield. Metra train parking lot, northwest corner of Robert York Avenue and Deerfield Road. 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, June 14-Oct. 11. (847) 945-5000.Evanston. Maple and University. 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 1. Free validated parking in the Maple Avenue garage. (847) 866-2936.
Glencoe.Wyman Green, off Village Court, between Park and Hazel. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, May 31-Oct. 25. (630) 784-0862.
Glenview. Wagner Farm, 1510 Wagner Rd. 8 a.m.-noon. Saturdays, June 21-Oct. 11. (847) 657-1506.
Grayslake. Slusser Street and Center Street. 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, June 11-Oct. 1. (847) 289-7138.
Highland Park. Jens Jensen Park, on Dean between St. Johns Avenue and Roger Williams Avenue. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays, June 4-Oct. 22. (847) 433-5542.
Lake Bluff. Village Green, at Sheridan Road and Scranton Avenue. 7 a.m.-noon. Fridays, June 13-Oct. 10. (847) 234-0774.
Lake Forest. Downtown Market Square, on Southgate, between Bank Lane and Forest Ave. 8 a.m.-noon. Saturdays, June 7, July 5, Aug. 2, Sept. 6. (847) 234-2600.
Libertyville. On Church Street, between Milwaukee Avenue and Brainard Avenue. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays, June 19-Oct. 16. (847) 680-0336.
Lincolnwood.Circular drive between village hall (6900 N. Lincoln) and police/fire building. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays, June 12-Sept. 25. (847) 677-9740.
Northfield. On Happ Road, south of Winnetka Avenue (across from New Trier High School West campus). 7:30 a.m.-noon. Saturdays, June 7-Oct. 18. (847) 441-1848.
Skokie. Parking lot by village hall, 5127 W. Oakton. 7:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Sundays, June 29-Oct. 26. (847) 673-0500.
Wilmette. Metra train station parking lot, Central and Green Bay Road. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 25. (630) 784-0862.
Zion. Shiloh Blvd. and Sheridan Rd. 2 p.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays, June 19-Oct. 2. (847) 746-4000.
NORTHWEST SUBURBS
Arlington Heights. North School Park, on Eastman Street, between Arlington Heights Road and Evergreen Avenue, just north of Northwest Highway. 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturdays, June 21-Oct. 18. (847) 818-6050.
Barrington. South Cook Street and Lake Cook Road. 2 p.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays, June 19-Oct. 23. (847) 382-3829.
Bartlett. Bartlett Town Center, Railroad Avenue and Main Street. 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Fridays, June 6-Sept. 12. (630) 837-0800.
Crystal Lake. Depot Park, Woodstock and Williams. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, June 7-Oct. 18. (815) 479-0835.
East Dundee. Dundee Township Tourist Center, 319 N. River St. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 25. (847) 742-3432.
Elk Grove Village.Biesterfield Road and Wellington Avenue. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays, June 4-Sept. 24. (847) 228-3511.
Palatine. Train station parking lot, Wood Street and Smith Street. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 25. (847) 358-1649.
Park Ridge. Prairie and Garden streets. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, May 24-Oct. 25. (847) 318-5217.
Schaumburg. Parking lot at American Indian Center, 190 S. Roselle Rd. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays, June 13-Oct. 10. (847) 923-3855.
Woodstock. Historic Woodstock Square, 101 Johnson St. 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Oct. 28, Saturdays through Oct. 25. (815) 338-2436.
SOUTHERN SUBURBS
Crete. Main and Exchange. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 4. (708) 672-0729.Country Club Hills. Country Club Hills Campus Pavilion, 4100 W. 183rd St. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, June 14-Oct. 11. (708) 798-2616.
Evergreen Park. Yukich Field, 89th St. and Kedzie Ave. 7 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursdays, June 5-Oct. 30. (708) 422-1551.
Flossmoor. Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays, June 13-Oct. 24. (708) 798-2300.
Frankfort. Oak and White streets. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 12. (815) 939-2070.
Highland, Ind. Main Square, 5th Street and Ridge Road. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, June 14-Oct. 11. (219) 838-0114.
Joliet. Joliet City Center, Chicago Street and Van Buren Plaza. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays, June 6-Sept. 26. (815) 774-6066.
Kankakee. Merchant Street and Schuyler Avenue, 7 a.m.-noon Saturdays through Oct. 18. (815) 933-0462.
Lemont. Budnik Plaza, Stephen Street and Canal Street. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays, June 24-Oct. 28. (630) 243-2700.
Manteno. Southeast corner of Division Street and Main Street. 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays, July 3-Oct. 9. (815) 939-2070.
Mokena. Parking lot at Wolf Road and Front Street (adjacent to railroad tracks). 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 25. (630) 784-0862.
Monee. Manhattan Road and Governors Hwy. 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays, through Oct. 8. (815) 939-2070.
Olympia Fields. Olympic Square Shopping Center, Vollmer and Governors Highway. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays, through Oct. 10. (815) 939-2070.
Palos Heights.Tiffany Square, northwest corner of 119th Street and Harlem Avenue. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 15. (708) 361-1800.
Palos Park. Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church parking lot, 12312 S. 88th Ave. 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Fridays, June 27-Oct. 10. (708) 448-5580.
Park Forest. 271 Lakewood Blvd.. 7 a.m.-noon. Saturdays through Oct. 25. (708) 748-1118.
Richton Park.Metra parking lot, Governors Highway and Sauk Trail. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 11. (815) 939-2070
Tinley Park. Metra train station parking lot, 173rd Street and Oak Park Avenue. 7 a.m.-noon. Saturdays, June 7-Sept. 27. (708) 805-GROW.
WESTERN SUBURBS
Aurora. Aurora Transportation Center, 233 N. Broadway, 7 a.m.-noon Saturdays, June 21-Sept. 27. West Plaza, Galena and Edgelawn, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays, July 9-Aug. 27. Parking lot of Bethany of Fox Valley United Methodist Church, U.S. 34 opposite Rush Copley Heart Institute, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, July 8-Aug. 26. (630) 844-4731.Batavia. South Water Street, between Wilson Street and First Street. 8 a.m.-noon. Saturdays, June 28-Oct. 25. (630) 761-3528.
Berwyn. Citizens Community Bank, 3322 S. Oak Park Ave. 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, June 7-Sept. 13. (708) 788-8100.
Downers Grove. Main Street Metra train station parking lot, 1000 Burlington Avenue. 7 a.m.-2 p.m.. Saturdays, June 14-Oct. 18. (630) 968-8400.
Elburn. Lions Park, 500 Filmore St. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays, June 15-Sept. 28. (630) 365-6315.
Elmhurst. Parking lot on the northeast corner of York and Vallette streets. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays, June 4-Oct. 8. (630) 834-6060.
Geneva. Metra parking lot, northwest corner of South and 4th streets. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 26. (630) 784-0862.
Glen Ellyn.400 Main Street (adjacent to Giesche Shoes). 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays, through Oct. 31. (630) 784-0862.
Hinsdale. Garfield Street and Chicago Avenue. 7 a.m.- 1 p.m. Mondays, June 2-Oct. 13. (630) 323-3952.
La Grange. Harris Avenue garage parking lot, Harris Avenue and Sixth Ave. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 23. (708) 387-7550.
La Grange Park. Village Market parking lot, Woodlawn and Sherwood. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays through Oct. 21. (708) 387-7550.
Lisle. Metra parking lot, Burlington between Spencer and Center. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Satur-days, through Oct. 25. (630) 784-0862.
Lombard. Southeast corner of St. Charles Road and Elizabeth Street. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays, through Oct. 14. (630) 784-0862.
Naperville. 5th Avenue Station, 200 E. Fifth Ave. 7 a.m.-noon. Saturdays, June 7-Oct. 25. (630) 369-5638.
Oak Park. Parking lot of Pilgrim Congres-sional Church, Lake Street and Elmwood Avenue. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, May 24-Oct. 25. (708) 358-5780.
St. Charles. Fourth Avenue and Main Street. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays, June 6-Oct. 24. (630) 584-6680.
Villa Park.Park Boulevard and Ardmore Avenue. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 26. (630) 784-0862.
Western Springs. Hillgrove Avenue between Wolf Road and Johnson Avenue. 2 p.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 16. (630) 784-0862.
Wheaton. Wheaton Public Library, Seminary and Scott, 8 a.m.-noon Thursdays, through Oct. 16. Municipal Parking Lot 3, Main Street and Liberty Drive, 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturdays, through Nov. 1. (630) 784-0862.
Winfield. Prairie Trail Center, southwest corner of Geneva and County Farm roads. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays, June 4-Oct. 29. (630) 682-3712.
Yorkville. Town Square, Illinois 47 and Church. 8 a.m.-noon. Saturdays, June 14-Oct. 25. (630) 553-4357.