Farmers markets with good produce - NW Suburbs
I have been to the "farmers markets" in both Dundee and Algonquin and have been very disappointed. Both of these are more like flea markets. A bunch of stands with people selling trinkets and other garage sale type items, but produce stands are rare. The ones that are there, well, I suspect that some of the items were purchased at the local grocery store. For example, the cherry tomatoes at one booth, I swear, were just bought at Jewel and then they cut the lids off to hide the label.
So... with that said, anything nearby that has decent locally grown produce?
Oh yes, I am new to the suburbs so any pointers to good locally grown produce stands in the area is much appreciated as well.
Thank you for any help.
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Just wanted to update this. I went to the Crystal Lake Farmers Market which is every Saturday (until I think Oct) from 8am to 1pm. It's located at the Metra Station in Crystal Lake at a location I think is called Depot Park. This is another great market with lots of fresh produce and some very organic vendors. I bought some cantelope that is the best I have tasted all summer, among other items. Probably found the best green pepper ever in my life as well. Lots of other stuff that I went into shisk kabobs (OK, some items such as the steak, mushrooms and asparagus were from Caputo's in Algonquin) for that night's grilling session. Overall, a good market but the prices seemed to vary wildly from vendor to vendor which was a surprise. The organics seemed to be quite high although their potatoes (can I put an "e" here Dan Q?) were second to none.
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This might be a bit far for you....but it's worth mentioning.
Schaumburg! Friday mornings - in the parking lot at the southwest corner of Roselle and Schaumburg roads. They're open until October 10.
Nichols Farm is there - great produce (the guys can tell you which restaurants have been buying their stuff - they've supplied some higher end places) and fantastic selection. There's also a couple farmers from Michigan (the one across from Nichols does all fruit - great quality stuff).
There's also a vendor who sells Mirai Corn (Twin Gardens, I think) - that guy has a smaller selection but his produce is consistently strong.
Schaumburg - according to one of the guys I spoke to who works it - has fairly strict rules about who can set up so nonsense like Jewel suspect produce (which I've seen at other markets) isn't there.
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Chew on That
Sep 5, 2008 01:28 PM
I'm all ears for finding a good farmer's market around here too. But I have to say, I'm almost burst out laughing at the comment about the cherry tomatoes with the lids cut off. How terrible that would be!
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Even though there are only a handful of vendors, I would try Huntley's market (Sats in the downtown square from 8-12). There are definate local farms there, with organic produce as well. I have been happy going there and the vendors are friendly and upfront with the produce. I think only one Sat a month there are craft vendors. I have not been to the markets you have been to, so I cannot compare them.
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re: Wrigley12
Wrigley,
Thanks for the tip! I went to the Huntley market on Saturday and it was just what I was looking for. Great produce from a variety of local vendors. I was so happy to find this I had to buy a little bit of something from just about every vendor there. You are right, there are only a handful of vendors, but the produce was outstanding!
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re: imclear
imclear,
Glad you enjoyed it...right now I am roasting some buttenut squash I got there last Sat. I got some corn and red peppers too - I had to restrain myself from buying everything! This Sat they are having an apple pie bake off contest. I think I will enter, although I am a little nervous having my food judged.
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