Blog Vendor spotlights

Small farm, big impact: Featuring Raya Carr of Mint Creek Farm

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Ahead of our 2021 farmers market season, we chatted with Raya Carr of Mint Creek Farm in Stelle, Illinois about her experience as a small-scale farmer weathering the pandemic. Learn more about the Covid-19 Farmer Relief Fund, and how you can provide …
"Green City Market's future is vital to the future of my farm"

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Ahead of our 2021 farmers market season, we chatted with Jerry Boone of Froggy Meadow Farm in Beloit, Wisconsin about his experience as a small-scale farmer weathering the pandemic. Learn more about GCM's Covid-19 Farmer Relief Fund, and how you can …
From software to farm to table: Jackie Gennett of Bushel & Peck's

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Jackie Gennett of Bushel & Peck’s just might be superwoman. Farmer, chef, restaurateur, business-owner, entrepreneur, member of Green City Market’s Board of Directors, and self-proclaimed “Plant Lady,” she really does it all. …
Celebrating Green City Market's women farmers: Oriana Kruszewski

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Oriana Kruszewski, Green City Market’s beloved long-time grower specializing in Asian pears, never intended to be a farmer. Born in China and raised and educated in Hong Kong, Oriana’s Chinese roots have deeply influenced her work ethic and …
Kick off Women's History Month with the bakery queen of Chicago: Arshiya Farheen

Monday, March 8, 2021

The beautiful display of Verzenay Patisserie’s assortment of French pastries is the most wonderful welcome as you enter Lincoln Park in the morning, reusable shopping bags in hand waiting to be filled with the bounty awaiting you. Up ahead, kale …
"Everything has changed": 2020 and the shift to local

Monday, December 14, 2020

In a year where supply chains were disrupted, common household items were wiped from shelves, and grocery store lines spanned city blocks, it became more important than ever before to purchase — and eat — what’s available locally. For …
"A big question mark": GCM building a more resilient local food system

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

“Getting a variety of farmers together, farmers that grow an incredible variety of produce, together in one spot on one day and getting them to do that well is a huge undertaking,” remarks Carl Smits of Smits Farms in Chicago Heights, Illinois. …
Sustainable farms devastated by coronavirus: The GCM community responds to protect the future of food

Thursday, November 12, 2020

“When you’re in the city, you may not have access to a garden of your own, so you want the next best, or even the very best thing, and go to someone who’s personally involved in growing the product. That’s really been our juice,” …
New vendor alert: Kikwetu Kenya Coffee Company

Monday, July 20, 2020

Martha Itulya-Omollo and Leecox Omollo were both raised in Kenya but had different paths to Kikwetu Kenya Coffee Company.For Martha, the aroma of Kenyan coffeeis very nostalgic. "My parents would take me along on their frequent trips …
Tomatoes in May: Iron Creek Farm bringing peak season faves early

Thursday, May 14, 2020

Fresh! Gorgeous! Ripe tomatoes! In ... May? Yep, you heard it right — Iron Creek Farm in LaPorte, Indiana has juicy, fresh sungold tomatoes available now. Our friends at Iron Creek know you're antsy for a summery barbecue with perfect …
All Hail the Tomato: Tomato Bliss' Path to Market

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Tomato Bliss is just one of the 61 family farms and local businesses that Green City Market supports, helping local Midwest farmers to grow sustainably and earn a living wage. Donate today to grow support for farmers like Marie and Sasha and ensure that …
Find the perfect host gift (or treat yourself) at Green City Market

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

The host gift. It’s an etiquette conundrum that has plagued generations of guests—how to express the deepest form of gratitude there is: the gift of not having to load and unload your dishwasher four times a day. Whether you’re a guest …
Indiana's First Underground Cheese Cave: J2K CAPRAIO & Farming with the Whole Family

Monday, November 18, 2019

J2K is just one of the 61 family farms and local businesses that Green City Market supports, helping local Midwest farmers to grow sustainably and earn a living wage. Donate today to grow support for families like the Klinedinsts and ensure …
All your Thanksgiving food shopping needs, answered by Green City Market

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

We love Thanksgiving. It’s objectively the most food-centric American holiday, and we’re grateful for that. Whether you’ve been scrolling through Epicurious and working on your Thanksgiving mood board since August or you just recently …
Your guide to local Thanksgiving turkey ordering

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Picking your turkey can feel like a big decision—like, on the level of picking a car to buy or an apartment to lease. Okay, maybe not that big of a decision, but your turkey of choice will definitely define your Thanksgiving meal and the week of …
Farmer Spotlight: Drover's Trail Natural Farms

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

More than a century ago, driving cattle across the country from ranches in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma to the Chicago Stockyards was the way of life for many cowboys, wranglers and drovers. One of our newest farms at the Wednesday market is a part of …
Vendor Spotlight: Petals Farm

Monday, August 6, 2018

Petals Farm is a family operated farm specializing in growing the best, unique floral varieties, from fragrant spring peonies to harvest wreaths and bouquets in the fall. Their selection is consistently changing throughout the growing season.The farm is …
Interview with Abby Schilling of Mick Klug Farms by Lisa Kalabokis

Thursday, February 8, 2018

What is Mick Klug Farm's history with Green City Market?My dad, Mick Klug, started attending the market when it was first started by Abby Mandel in an alley! It was a very slow start, but the market became more popular when it moved to the park. Since …
ABC7 Does GCM West Loop Market!

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Melissa shared information about our upcoming outdoor season at the West Loop and our Chef BBQ on July 20th with ABC7. View our Executive Director's first talk-back news segment with ABC7 here!
Green City Market's New Vendors for 2017

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Alden Hills Organic Farms Alden Hills Organic Farms is a family farm located in Walworth, WI. Started in 2009 by Gary Powers as a way to provide quality beef for his own family, the farm is committed to and seeks to provide only the …
Chatting with a Vendor: Brad Newman

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Cookies & Carnitas got their start as a vendor at the Green City Market in Lincoln Park. Co-owners Brad Newman and Mikey Toarmina are known at the market for serving up incredible food created with a hands-on, old-school …
Chatting with a Vendor: Brian Elias

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

In the winter months, the ever-cheerful Brian Elias can be found selling sweet winter spinach and some of the biggest carrots we've seen at Green City Market, alongside Tomato Mountain's range of popular salsas, preserves, and other jarred products such …
Chatting with a Vendor: Brian Severson

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Brian and Karen Severson are small family farmers growing organic and non-GMO grains, including sweet corn, oats, wheat, popcorn, peas, soybeans and buckwheat. They also process them into various flours, rolled oats, and meals available …
Chatting with a Vendor: Raya Carr

Sunday, January 1, 2017

Raya Carr of Mint Creek Farm shares her favorites and tips for shopping the market. At Mint Creek Farm, the Carr family & their team strive for maximum species diversity in both animals and pasture plants. What is your favorite crop/product …
Chatting with a Vendor: Jerry Boone

Monday, December 19, 2016

Jerry Boone of Froggy Meadow Farm shares his favorites and tips for shopping the market. As a young man, Jerry left the small farm he grew up on and ran off to the sea. After 25 years as a ship captain, it seemed a natural choice to return …