Logan Square Farmers Market opens 2011 season on splendid day

For locally-grown fruits, vegetables and meats as well as rummage sale and music entertainment there is no better place than the Logan Square Farmers Market^TM. This market is run independently by the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce. Sunday June 5th was the opening day for the market's 2011 season. The Logan Square Farmers Market has been in existence since 2005.

The weather was perfect for opening day. By 10 a.m. the market was buzzing with families, dogs and children. Unlike most other farmer's markets, the Logan Square Farmers Market participates in the Illinois LINK card food stamp program. This was the first farmers market in Illinois to make this available. Paul Levin is Executive Director and Secretary of the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce. He explained that this market was once a City of Chicago sponsored event but has been run independently by the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce since 2007. We spoke about the Link Card option at the market. Levin explained "Some years ago the Federal Government changed the food stamp program to EDT plastic card, and when they did that the unforeseen consequence was that they shut off access to

Kelly Tarrant talks with Paul Levin

Farmers Markets. Farmers do not necessarily have the equipment to process that type of sale. The city had been talking about trying to figure out a way to do it, but when the Logan Square Chamber of Commerce took over this market in 2007 we figured it out." Citibank was opening on California and Milwaukee Avenue at the time and awarded the Chamber a grant. "The $1000 grant covered the start-up costs associated with processing EDT transactions," he says. The Logan Square Chamber of Commerce is certified as a food stamp program participant. Says Levin, "We act as agents for all of the farmers. One of the conditions that we put on farmers in our market is that they must be willing to accept EDT Food stamps. We provide the means for that to happen." Since the market is able to process LINK cards it can also process credit card transactions. "We have people from other states that use their state food stamp card as well and it works like a charm," says Levin. The farmers and vendors end up making sales that they may not have otherwise made. Levin explains, "This is particularly important for those farmers with higher-end products like the meats. What comes as a pleasant surprise to the farmers is that we don't pass on the processing fee. They get 100% of the dollar." Levin believes that now this idea might be spreading to other farmer's markets. It is no surprise that there is a rise in the use of the link card at the market since 2007. "The number of folks who use it has absolutely increased," says Levin.

Assortment of Jake's meat offerings

Jakes Country Meats drives to Chicago every Sunday from Cassopolis, Mi. "It takes us about two hours to get here from Cassopolis," says Lou Ann Robinson, co-owner of the farm. With the motto "Pork You Can Trust" Jakes Country meats prides itself on 36 years of service. According to their site, they have raised their hogs "outside on pasture and in barns with straw and hay for bedding as well as outdoor access. We do not feed or inject our hogs with antibiotics or hormones and they are fed a vegetarian diet of corn, soybean meal, vitamins and minerals."

Lou Ann goes on to say, "We get a lot of return customers. We have people who come out to the farm too. We like this market a lot. This is actually my favorite one!"

John Greenfield inspires young dancers to dance

Children were dancing and singing to Chicago Songs by musician John Greenfield. The Menard family has been attending the farmers market for five years. "We love it! When it first started it was less than half this size. Now it has grown so much! We come every Sunday. We like to support the vendors here."

Zullos Organic Traditional Italian had a long line of customers. Adriana Marzullo, owner, has been a vendor of the Logan Square Farmers Market for two years. Adriana states on her site "Zullo's is an organic Italian restaurant based at the French Market in Chicago, IL. We provide fresh seasonal organic Italian food while keeping the environment in mind. All of our food comes from local farmers who provide the seasonal organic ingredients for our delicious food. We have a zero waste B-Corp certified kitchen, which recycles all our materials. Even the booth itself was created from recycled goods. We are a restaurant with a full devotion to leading the restaurant industry in an environmentally sustainable evolution." Isaac Weliver was managing the tent and its apple cider donuts, among other delectable treats.

Zullos apple cider donuts

"Next Sunday June 12th we will launch gluten-free chicken and gluten free vegetarian nuggets. Both organic!" said Isaac. Zullos Organic Traditional Italian's motto is "Ti Fa Bene" which is Italian for Its Good for You! Judging from the long line it seems it is not only good FOR you but tastes wonderful. "We are raising money to hopefully open a free-standing restaurant," said Isaac, "We are participating at five farmers markets. We are still deciding where we would want to open a restaurant. This area (Logan Square) is so nice!"

After walking through the the tastes, smells and sounds of the market you have the opportunity to lay out a blanket and picnic with your family and friends. At this section of the market there is an open rummage sale with offerings of second hand clothing, antique furniture and used books.

Christina by her blank of items for sale

Christina was selling three blanket loads of goods. "We have been in Chicago for four years," she says, " and I have 11 weddings to attend this summer so I need the extra money!" Christina had never had a rummage sale at the market but said the high traffic due to the farmers market was a win-win situation. " So far it's been really great."

The Logan Square Summer Farmers Market runs through October 30th every Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The market is held on a closed off street, adjacent to the Illinois Centennial Monument, at the intersection of Milwaukee Ave and Logan and Kedzie Boulevards, southeast of the CTA Blue Line Logan Square subway station.

Photo credits:
Top two by Ellie Pritts
Remainder by Alexander Gouletas