Posted Dec 07, 2023
The winter holidays are right around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to purchase gifts for your local-food-loving friends and family!
We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite seasonal products, gift bundles, and more from our indoor market vendors at GCM Avondale to inspire you.
Unwrap GCM's Holiday Guide below for ideas as our vendors unveil their festive products and deals throughout the month!
Stop by an upcoming market to pick up your local gifts.
For the Holiday Host
If you’re planning to be a guest at a party or potluck, bring the host a harvest basket curated by you, the best holiday guest ever! Fill it with products from GCM’s local, sustainable vendors including farmers like Hillside Orchards, Jacobson Family Farms, Kajers Greens, Kankakee Valley Homestead, Nichols Farm & Orchard, Oriana's Orchard, River Valley Ranch, Seedling Farms, Smits Farm, Tomato Mountain, Windy City Mushroom and more!
For the Party Planner
Hosting a party of your own? Stop by Finn's Ranch and Mint Creek Farm to buy your locally-raised meat for your party’s main dish. Need a vegetarian side? Phoenix Bean Tofu offers a delicious tofu salad that you can include on your table.
For the Home Chef
Stop by the GCM Info Table and pick up a Green City Market cookbook full of seasonal recipes to pair with a certificate from American Pride Microfarm for knife sharpening. Add some microgreens and you will have a memorable gift sure to be loved by the culinarian in your life.
For the Sweet Tooth
The sweet tooth in your life will enjoy beautiful pies or pastries from vendors like Hoosier Mama Pie Co. and Verzenay Patisserie.
For the Brunch Buff
Coffee + bagels = the perfect brunch combo. Hosting a party? Pick up a dozen bagels from recently revamped Dorothy's Bistro and pair it with some locally roasted, sustainably sourced, direct-trade coffee from Kikwetu Kenya Coffee Company.
(Pro tip: Kikwetu also has an incredible cold brew as well as seasonal drink flavors like Apple Bourbon Spice to sip on while you shop!)
For the Animal Lover
For the dedicated pet person in your life, give the gift of local nutrition! Prairie Wolf processes all their dog treats by hand, ensuring a lack of food waste and the use of whole ingredients, while Treats de cuisine cat and dog snacks are all-natural and single ingredient to accommodate for your furry friend's allergies, digestive issues and more. Make pet-parent life even easier by purchasing a Pupscription on Treats de cuisine's website!
For the Natural Beauty Lover
Joe's Blues is always a fun place to browse for a unique berry-flavored gift! Pick up a bar of Blueberry Mountain Soap and other products for the perfect gift for the natural beauty lover in your life.
For the Pasta Pal
Snag some homemade pasta and sauce from award-winning Daisies…need we say more?!
For the Eco-Friendly Enthusiast
Grab a Green City Market tee and tote at GCM Avondale and share your love of local with others - consider filling your tote with goodies from our vendors.
For the Charcuterie Fan
Create a Build-Your-Own-Board featuring Bennison's Bakery, Ellis Family Farms, J2K CAPRAIO, pHlour Bakery, Underground Meats, and more! Start by picking up some of J2K Capraio’s handcrafted cheese products and pair with hand-tied salami, smoked and cured meats from Underground Meats. Finish with a loaf of delicious bread from pHlour or Bennison’s Bakery. Don’t forget to include a nice pop of color with honey and jam from Ellis Family Farms.
(Hint: we're loving Ellis's plum butter! A little thicker and less sweet than jam)
For the Shopper
All this holiday shopping might leave you hungry! Fuel up and get a bite to eat from vendors like Flock & Forage and Gayle V's Best Ever Grilled Cheese.
For the Local Food Lover
Give the gift of green this holiday season. Make a donation to secure the future of food with Green City Market. Your year-end, tax-deductible gift made on behalf of a loved one is a great way to honor their continued support of Green City Market's mission, as well as creating a beautiful, nutritious holiday for all Chicagoans. Stop by the GCM Info Tent at Avondale for an official Green City Market card to share with your loved one.
We hope this list inspired you for all your local holiday needs! Pick up something cool from GCM Avondale? Be sure to snap a pic and tag @greencitymarket on Instagram.