return to Dining > Food & Wine

Apr 2011  |  By Joan Vesselinovitch  |  Comments (5)

8 Farmers' Markets You Need To Visit

TAGS: North Shore farmers markets, suburban Chicago farmers markets, fresh produce, best markets

Farmers' markets offer us farm-fresh, affordable, convenient, healthy local products such as: fruits, vegetables, cheeses, herbs, fish, flowers, baked goods, meat and much more.

Luckily, on the North Shore we have no shortage of wonderful markets to choose from. Which are the best? You will ultimately decide, but below are our 7 picks for the very best the North Shore has to offer.

Wilmette French Market
May 1 - November 6
Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Metra parking lot

Why we love it:

• French style open-air market
• Local and regional vendors featuring fresh produce, and flowers
• Handmade jewelry, purses, home decor and art

Don't miss:

• Bennison Bakery's Red velvet donuts and cinnamon rolls
• Provence Linens' fine imported products (we especially love the vinyl coated one!): classy but practical
• Wonderful heirloom tomatoes
• Silver Coffee's coconut flavored coffee
• Fresh popped corn: caramel and butter

Downtown Evanston Farmers' Market
May 7 - November 6
Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
University Place and East Railroad 

Why we love it:

• About 35 vendors offering fresh produce, meat, cheese, flowers and bakery items
• Free and convenient parking in the adjacent Maple Avenue parking garage, with validation

Don't miss:

• Purple potatoes from Nichols Farm and Orchard Stand
• Cut peonies in vibrant colors
• Asian greens from Henry's Farm
• Reasonably priced and lovely wild flower bouquets from Pleasant Prairie Farms

Glencoe Farmers Market
June 11 - Oct. 22
Saturdays, 8 to 1 p.m.
Village Court

Why we love it:

• Lovely small market with a surprisingly large variety of quality products

Don't miss:

• Gorgeous flowers by the Flower Garden
• New vendors this year selling crepes, bread and olive oil
• Pain au chocolate and madeleines homemade by local French nuns from the order of the Fraternity of Notre Dame

Northfield Farmers' Market
May 28 - Oct. 22
Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Happ Rd., across from New Trier's freshman campus.

Why we love it:

• 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

Don't miss:

• The Cheese People's Saint Andre Cheese (cheese mixed with apricot jam with toasted almonds)
• Tarragon olive oil—taste and create your own olive oil

Deerfield Farmers Market
June 18 - Oct. 15
Saturdays, 7 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Deerfield Road and Robert York Avenue (in commuter lot)

Why we love it:

• More organic offerings then most other markets
• Hand-crafted Wisconsin cheese
• Fresh-cut flowers, unique annuals and perennials
• Fresh baked goods and free samples abound--try samples of bread, muffins syrup and jam

Don't miss:

• Fabulous natural dog treats by Tailwaggers of Lake Zurich
• Hair of the Ferret Gourmet Salsa (From Crown Point Indiana)—wonderful varieties and delicious!
• Extra large and reasonably priced sunflowers from St. Anne, Ill.

Glenview Farmers Market
June 25 - Oct. 8
Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Wagner Farm parking lot, 1510 Wagner Rd. (Parking also available at adjacent St. Peter and Paul Church)

Why we love it:

• Free farm animal visiting and hands-on farm museum every Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Link (food assistance) cards can be used and half of the purchase price will be paid for by grants from local organizations

Don't miss:

• Pork and poultry raised on certified organic acres at Mint Creek Farm
• Non-homogenized, fresh milk and cream from Kilgus Dairy
• All-natural dog treats by Deena Jorgensen

Ravinia Farmers Market
June 8 - Oct. 26
Wednesdays, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Dean Avenue between Roger Williams and St. Johns Avenues 

Why we love it:

• Locally and regionally grown fresh produce and flowers
• Michigan fruits
• Baked goods, cheeses, olive oil, knife sharpening and coffee

Don't Miss:

• Incredible strawberries, blueberries and peaches from Klug Orchards
• Osterman's cut flowers

Highwood Farmers Market
June 15-August 31
Wednesdays, 4 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Why we love it:

It’s in the evening!

Evening Concert Series

Live cooking demonstrations

Array of Italian, Mexican, French and Irish delicacies

Don't miss:

North Shore Flea Market showcasing furniture, decor, jewelry, vintage bikes and so much more.

Second Annual Bloody Mary Blues Fest, July 17

First Annual Garlic Fest on Wednesday, August 17

Additional reporting and updating by Natalie White.

Do you have a favorite we didn't list? Let us know what it is and why you like it! Comment below. Here's a comprehensive list of North Shore farmers markets:

Arlington Heights: Parking lot at Vail Avenue and Fremont Street, behind the library; Saturdays, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., June 19-Oct. 23.

Barrington: South Cook Street at Lake Cook Road; Thursdays, 2-7 p.m., June 16- Oct. 20.

Buffalo Grove: Mike Rylko Community Park, 951 N. McHenry Road; Sundays, 8:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., June 19-Oct. 16 (no market Sept. 4).

Chicago Botanic Garden: 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe; 1st and 3rd Sundays each month; 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., June 5-Oct. 16.
Crystal Lake: Depot Park near the train station, Woodstock and Williams Streets; Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June 4-Oct. 15.

Deerfield: Deerfield Road and Robert York Avenue; Saturdays, 7 a.m.-12:30 p.m., June 18-Oct. 15.

Evanston: Downtown Market, University Place and East Railroad; Saturdays, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., May 7-Nov. 5.

Glencoe: Village Court; Saturdays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June 11-Oct 29

Glenview: Wagner Farm parking lot, 1510 Wagner Rd.; Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, June 25-Oct. 8.

Grayslake: 129 Center St.; 
Spring Market:  Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., April 2-May 28
Summer Market: Wednesdays, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., June 8 - Oct. 5
Winter Market: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Nov. 5-Dec. 17

Gurnee: Peterson Park, Grand and Kilbourne Avenues; Fridays, 8 a.m-1 p.m., June 11-Oct. 1.

Highland Park: Municipal parking lot between Second and Third Avenues; Fridays, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., June 17-Nov. 18

Lake Bluff: Village Green, E. Scranton Ave. and Sheridan Rd.; Fridays, 7 a.m.-noon, June 10-Oct. 14 

Libertyville: Church Street, between Milwaukee and Brainerd Avenues; Thursdays, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., June 23-Oct. 20.

Lincolnwood: St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4707 W. Pratt Ave.; Thursdays, 8 a.m.-1p.m., June 2-Oct. 13.

Lincoln Square: CTA Parking Lot; Thursdays, 4 p.m.-8 p.m., June 16 - Sept. 22

Mt. Prospect: Metra lot at Northwest Highway and Route 83; Sundays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June 12-Oct. 23 

Northbrook: Our Lady of the Brook Church, 3700 Dundee Road, Wednesdays, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., June 22-Oct. 12.

Northfield: Happ Road across from New Trier's freshman campus; Saturdays, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., May 28-Oct. 22.

Palatine: Metra station parking lot, Wood and Smith Streets; Saturdays, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., May 7 - Oct. 30

Park Ridge: Prairie Avenue south of Metra station; Saturdays, 7 a.m. -1 p.m., May 28-Oct. 29 


Skokie: 5127 Oakton St. (near Village Hall); Sundays, 7:30 a.m. -12:45 p.m., June 26-Oct. 30.

Waukegan: Belvidere Park, S. Lewis Ave at Belvidere Road; Wednesdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., June 29-Oct. 5.