The farmers markets in our area are back! Brookfield kicked it off last Saturday at the Brookfield Village Hall parking lot, 8820 Brookfield Ave. The market runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 26.
Riverside joins the market season on Wednesdays beginning June 5 between 2:30 and 7 p.m. — so after you read this edition of the Landmark, go get your “fixins” for dinner, or even your dinner.
The two markets have grown is size and popularity over the years, with Riverside’s hours providing the time for those coming home from work to do some shopping. The vendors vary but there is something for everyone at both markets.
Riverside is now in its fifth year as a farmers market and has seen it grow each year. With some of the favorites returning, the market will include eight fruit and vegetable vendors with seasonable produce, including the popular Lyons Fruit Farm from South Haven, Mich.
Your palate will again be tempted with treats from Aunt Diana’s and Chocolate Twist. You can also have a smoothie while you wait for a pizza to be made onsite. A knife sharpener will be on hand once a month beginning June 19.
New this year is a honey vendor and a supply of gluten-free baked goods and food from Eating Well, which also carries gluten-free and organic food. Our friends from LaGrange, Ind., the Yoders and Countryside Produce will again be making the trip. Riverside Foods will also have a presence from time to time.
Stop in this Wednesday to see your favorites from last year and what’s new this season.
The lure of the markets, whichever you choose, is the social aspect and talking with the vendors. I have always said one of the things I like about farmers markets is getting beans that snap instead of bend. There is just something about getting produce that you know earlier that day had been on the vine or plucked from a tree.
For guilty pleasures, you may want to head out to the Oak Park Farmers Market early on a Saturday morning to purchase some of the freshly made doughnuts. The aroma will waft its way to you as you approach the market, which is located on Lake Street at Scoville Avenue, across from Oak Park High School.
To reduce your feelings of guilt at eating doughnuts, you’ll be happy to know they are made as a fundraiser with a different group frying them up each week. What a delicious way to support a charity.
