Make Mom Proud on National Eat Your Vegetables Day Tomorrow with Veggies from Green City Market

No matter your age or where you grew up, you can probably still hear your parents telling you to "EAT YOUR VEGETABLES!" Luckily for mom and dad, there is a national holiday that echoes their wishes.

Tomorrow (June 17) is National Eat Your Vegetables Day, and there is no better way to celebrate than with fresh, delicious, sustainable veggies from Green City Market.


Located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park (approximately 1817 N. Clark), nationally-praised Green City Market is home to some of the finest farmers in the Midwest, all of whom are proud to present their best crops. The market is open from
7 am – 1 pm, so make sure to get there early and enjoy the best pick of the day.

There will be no shortage of  vegetables this Wednesday. Stop by Iron Creek Farm for lettuce, kale, cucumbers, and potatoes, or head over to Leaning Shed Farm, featuring sugar snap peas, red beets, and cabbage. Marigold Hill Organics will have green onions, baby greens, Napa cabbage, radishes, lettuce, and kale. Swing buy Tomato Mountain, a farm that is not bringing what you may think (tomatoes aren’t in season, and besides, they’re technically a fruit!). They will have lettuce, turnips, kale, and bok choy. Finally, fulfill all of your mushroom needs with River Valley Ranch, selling mushrooms such as Portabella, Crimini, White Button, Shiitake, and Oyster. No matter what your favorite veggies are, there is no doubt that you will be able to find them.


If you can’t make it to the market on Wednesday, don’t fret. Green City Market offers two Saturday markets: The Lincoln Park market, open from 7 am – 1 pm, and Green City Market Fulton (799 W. Fulton Market), open from 8 am – 2 pm. There is going to be an abundance of veggies with your name on them, and we hope to see you there.

Photos by Cindy Kurman, Kurman Communications

Delightful Pastries is Coming to You at Many of Chicago's Farmers Markets

Share 

     

Pastry lovers will be right at home visiting Delightful Pastries at the many farmers markets in which they participate. Having lived throughout Europe, co-owner and chef Dobra Bielenski is familiar with and inspired by the outdoor market scene. Despite growing success with three Delightful Pastries locations, Bielenski remains loyal to Chicago farmers markets. For 15 years, Delightful Pastries has appeared at countless outdoors markets, bringing the magic of Delightful Pastries to the streets of Chicago.     

Come see for yourself the magic in Delightful Pastries outdoor markets at the Argyle Night Market, Lincoln Square Market, Daley Plaza Market, Division Street Market and Independence Park Market. 

Look for Delightful Pastries at Outdoors Markets All Summer Long

After being cooped up all winter, it is time to get outside and celebrate summer with Delightful Pastries.

Delightful Pastries is hitting the streets and will be seen all over town at local Farmer’s Markets. Beat the heat with chilled desserts and drinks, as well as Delightful Pastries’ popular pierogi and delicious sandwiches on croissants made with real butter, all being sold across town at different markets. Grab lunch while shopping and enjoy Delightful Pastries Thanksgiving, Polish or Big Fish sandwich. You can find Delightful Pastries at Argyle Night Market, Lincoln Square Market, Daley Plaza Market, Division Street Market and Independence Park Market this summer, so keep your eyes peeled for them…your sweet tooth will thank you.

Just Announced: Locavore Green City Market Menu for September 22

Join Chicago Green City Market September 22 for an all local family style dinner to celebrate the Locavore Challenge and share recipes and stories with other supporters. The event takes place 5:30pm-7:30pm, Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park. Tickets are just $25 and can be purchased at the Market, or online here.

DINNER MENU

Herb Crusted Lamb with Natural Juices

Whole Roasted Herb Chicken with

Caramelized Apple and Onion Compote

Three Sisters Herb Pasta with Spinach

Pickled Genesis Cucumbers and Radishes

over Green Acres Asian Mesclun Greens with Mint

Yogurt Dressing

Grilled Corn with Basil Butter

Delicata Squash Tart

Cauliflower and Hard Cooked Egg Salad

Market Bread and Whipped Butter with Chives

DESSERT MENU

Poached Plum Galette with Limelight Honey Whipped Cream

Decaf Coffee, Hot Tea, Mint Iced Tea

Everyone will also have the opportunity to participate in an interactive community discussion based on their Locavore experience!  Help The group frame this discussion by filling out our Locavore Discussion Survey - just 6 simple questions!

Growing Organic Vegetables in Your Own Backyard with Jeanne Pinsof Nolan, Green City Market's Project Manager of The Edible Gardens, and founder of The Organic Gardener, Ltd.

Are you interested in the satisfaction of growing your own food? Come learn the basic principals of organic gardening with Jeanne Pinsof Nolan.  If you are a novice, this discussion will provide a start at giving yourself and your kids the very real and rewarding experience of growing your own food. For the more experienced gardener, get advice on organic gardening techniques and soil improvement. She'll talk about what to grow, when to plant, proper garden maintenance and more.

Chicago French Market Vendors Go Outdoors Saturday, July 31

Chicago French Market (131 N. Clinton St., Chicago; 312-575-0306) vendors usually enjoy the luxury of being indoors, but this weekend, several vendors hit the Clinton Street sidewalk for a special Outdoor Market! Join vendors Produce Express, Les Fleurs and Pop This! from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday, July 31 as they offer their goods outside.

Stop by the outdoor vendors on your way in to the market for your regular weekend grocery shopping. For more information on Chicago French Market and to sign up for the newsletter, visit www.chicagofrenchmarket.com.

Don't forget to join Belgian fry shack Frietkoten for a special Belgian Beer & Fry Tasting from 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 5. Sample six different varieties of Belgian beers, PLUS an order of Belgian fries served with traditional ketchup and mayo and a choice of one sauce. Tickets are $15 each and will be available for purchase at the event.

Pasta lovers, don't forget to visit Chicago French Market's newest vendor, Fasta Pasta, serving fresh, made-to-order pasta for those on the go in less than two minutes.

For more information, visit www.chicagofrenchmarket.com. Follow Chicago French Market on Twitter and Facebook.

Save the Date: 4th of July and Bastille Day at Chicago French Market

Save the date for exciting holiday events at Chicago French Market (131 N. Clinton St., Chicago; 312-575-0306) on the 4th of July and on Bastille Day, Wednesday, July 14. In honor of the 4th of July, Chicago French Market hosts patriotic music, decorations and a special drawing of Chicago French Market’s local products for one lucky French Market customer. For Bastille Day, Chicago French Market features a special cabaret event, wine and cheese specials, and a giveaway of French products. Stay tuned for more details.

Summer Cookout Ingredients from Farmers at Chicago French Market
Summer’s here, which means lots of graduation parties, Father’s Day events, 4th of July cookouts and everyday grilling. Pick up fresh, seasonal ingredients from farmer vendors at Chicago French Market, including Tallgrass Beef, fresh fish and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Shop for locally-produced gifts for grads and dads at Chicago French Market booths.

This summer, Chicago French Market serves as the perfect place for suburban residents to pick up ingredients for a picnic, afternoon treats and any other snacks upon arrival in Chicago’s Ogilvie Transportation Center.

About Chicago French Market
Chicago French Market is a European-inspired market offering an array of local produce, meats, seafood, breads, pastries, cheese and wine, chocolates, pastas, artisan-made goods, flowers and a seating area for customers. Chicago French Market’s vendors stay open year-round, six days per week, and is located within the new MetraMarket development at 131 N. Clinton St. (between Washington and Randolph Streets). For more information, visit http://www.chicagofrenchmarket.com/. Follow Chicago French Market on Twitter: @ChiFrenchMarket

Green City Market's 12th Outdoor Season Opened Today

Opening Grand Celebration May 15

 

Chicago's Green City Market (GCM) opened for its 12th outdoor season today (May 12) and is set for a lively grand opening celebration this Saturday (May 15). In addition to the wealth of farmers and producers, there will be a number of special activities during the opening celebration.

n 7:30 a.m. – Guided tour

n 8:00 a.m. – “Container Gardening” workshop taught by Edible

Gardens manager and organic gardener Jeanne Pinsof-Nolan

n 8:30 a.m. – Guided tour of Edible Gardens in Farm-in-the-Zoo led by

Jeanne Pinsof-Nolan

n 9:30 a.m. – Savor the Seasons Lettuce Fest

§         Featuring chefs from Mon Ami Gabi, Big Bowl, Foodlife, Frankie’s and Café Ba Ba Reeba

n 10:30 a.m. – Chef demos with James Beard award winning chefs Carrie

Nahabedian of NAHA and Sarah Stegner of Prairie Grass Café and

Prairie Fire.

§         NAHA chefs Carrie Nahabedian and Craig Harzewski will collaborate with Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris (Prairie Grass Café and Prairie Fire) on demos featuring local goat cheese, rhubarb, duck eggs, bacon and bread from Bennison’s Bakery. Pastry chef Harzewski will demo making Goat Cheese Ice Cream topped with Rhubarb Compote made by Prairie Grass. The collaborative demos also will feature a grilled cheese, bacon and duck egg sandwich and a salad of spring greens, asparagus and herbs – all ingredients are available at GCM.

New this year:

Green City Market boasts an impressive list of 55 vendors for its 2010 outdoor season with two new vendors: Dietzler Farm and Becker Lane Organic Farm.

A family-run beef operation, Dietzler Farm is located in Elkhorn, WI. They raise a mixture of Angus and Hereford cows that are custom slaughtered and dry-aged for 28-days.  They are awaiting confirmation of their Food Alliance certification.

Becker Lane Organic Farms is Green City Market's first Iowa farm, located in Dyersville, just north of Dubuque. Jude Becker's farm has been in his family since 1850. He raises Heritage Breeds Cheshire White and Berkshire pigs. The animals graze on 100 percent Certified Organic pastures and are supplemented with acorns, corn, and hay in the winter. 

Chicago French Market Announces Dinner and A Movie with Gene Siskel Film Center

Chicago French Market announces a promotion with the Gene Siskel Film Center.  Shoppers enjoying dinner at participating Chicago French Market vendors, March 5 through April 1, will receive a 20 percent discount on movie tickets at the Gene Siskel Film Center when you show your Chicago French Market receipt.  Likewise, purchase a movie ticket at the Gene Siskel Film Center and bring your ticket stub to one of the Chicago French Market participating vendors for a 20 percent discount on your total meal! (Ticket stubs are good for one use only).
Participating vendors include:
Chicago Organics
Chundy's Bistro
City Fresh Market
FLiP Crepes
Frietkoten Belgian Fries and Beer
RAW.
Saigon Sisters

The Market is accessible at 131 N. Clinton as well as from 118 N. Canal through Ogilvie Transportation Center’s Suburban Concourse (both entrances are located between Randolph and Washington Streets). 

About the Gene Siskel Film Center: For more than 30 years, the Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has presented world-class independent, international, and classic cinema. Renamed in honor of the late film critic in 2000, the Gene Siskel Film Center presents approximately 1,500 screenings and 100 guest artist appearances year to over 65,000 film enthusiasts at its unique, sophisticated, modern facilities which have been operating since June 2001 at 164 N. State St.

Eat Local During the Green City Market Localvore Challenge

Up for a challenge? Take on Green City Market’s 3rd Annual Localvore Challenge September 9 through September 23. For two weeks, support Green City Market’s mission and eat only locally grown and locally produced food.

Local food is defined as grown or made entirely with ingredients from Illinois, its border states, as well as Michigan.

The challenge isn’t just for individuals-restaurants can participate too. Restaurants can either: offer a completely “local” menu item during the challenge; present a $1 donation to Green City Market per order of said menu item; donate a check during the challenge; or submit a recipe for inclusion in the Localvore Kit. A list of participating restaurants can be found at http://www.chicagogreencitymarket.org/.

To learn more about the event, visit Green City Market to pick up a Localvore kit which also includes a list of participating restaurants, along with local products available, chef recipes, menus and more. In addition to the kit, the Localvore e-mail help desk and blog will be available during the two weeks to assist shoppers with trading recipes and sharing stories.

For questions, please contact Lyle Allen, executive director of Green City Market at (773) 880-1266, or Mark Psilos, market manager & farm to chef forager of Green City Market at (773) 880-1266. For more information, visit http://www.chicagogreencitymarket.org/.

Photo provided by Getty Images

Are you ready for the Localvore Challenge?

Have you ever thought about how hard it would be to eat locally? Think about what it was like 100 years ago? How would it change your life and our environment if you only purchased and ate foods that were grown locally?

Here's your challenge: Become a localvore.

You ask, what's a localvore? According to the pundits, it's one who eats only locally grown and produced foods. There's been a international movement towards educating people about the advantages of doing such.

A localvore is a person committed to eating and learning about food grown within their food shed. Localvores recognize that there are multiple benefits of eating food grown close to home. The informal movement has sprouted in the past five years in response to a food supply that has become increasingly global and sprawling.It only stands to reason that Chicago's own Green City Market participates. So, during September 10-24, Chicagoans are being asked to register and participate in the Green City Market's LOCALVORE Challenge.

Eat Only Locally Produced Food For Two Weeks!

• Enjoy the best tasting, healthiest and freshest foods.


• Benefit the local economy by supporting local farmers and producers.


• Create less pollution and protect the environment by reducing the distance your food travels from farm to table.


• Preserve farmland and sustain rural communities.

Guidelines for the Challenge:

• Local means: grown or made entirely with ingredients from Illinois and its border states, plus Michigan.
• Set your exceptions before you begin (common exceptions include sugar, salt, pepper, spices, olive oil, coffee and tea).
• Pick up your information packet at the information table at Green City Market.
• Get recipes and menu ideas from our new localvore challenge hotline hosted by The Chopping Block. Each day during the challenge, the chefs from The Chopping block will answer your questions and provide recipes for cooking local meals from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Email:Greencitymarketlocalvore@thechoppingblock.net
  
• Share ideas and talk with Chopping Block owner, Shelly Young about the challenges and joys of going local on our blog. http://www.greencitymarketlocalvorechallenge.wordpress.com/ For more information about the Chopping Block cooking classes visit http://www.thechoppingblock.net/

The following restaurants are supporting the GCM Localvore Challenge by providing locally produced menu options during the weeks of September 10-24:

312 Chicago - 312-696-2420

Big Jones - 773-275-5725

Blue Water Grill - 312-777-1400

Frontera Grill - 312-661-1434

HB Home Bistro - 773-661-0299

Hot Chocolate - 773-489-1747

Le Lan - 312-280-9100

Lula Cafe - 773-489-9554

mk - 312-482-9179

Nacional 27 - 312-664-2727 (Local Cocktails)

NAHA - 312-321-6242

Niche - 630-262-1000

North Pond - 773-477-5845

Osteria di Tramonto - 847-777-6570

Osteria via Stato - 312-642-8450

Piccolo Sogno - 312-421-0077

Prairie Grass Cafe - 847-205-4433

Scoozi - 312-943-5900

Seedlings - 269-227-3958

Shaw’s Crab House - 312-527-2722

Socca - 773-248-1155

Sola - 773-327-3868

The Bristol - 773-862-5555

The Peninsula Hotel - 312-573-6754

Uncommon Ground - 773-929-3680

Urban Belly - 773-583-0500

Vie - 708-246-2082

Local Stores that Feature Local Foods

August Grocery (Wicker Park)
1500 N. Division Street, 773-252-9560

Fox and Obel (near Navy Pier)
401 E. Illinois Street, 312-410-7301

Green Grocer (River West)
1402 W. Grand

Irv & Shelley’s Fresh Picks
A weekly delivery service of organic
and local goods
www.freshpicks.com

Olivia’s Market (Bucktown)
2014 W. Wabansia, 773-227-4220

Pastoral Food and Wine (Lakeview)
2945 N. Broadway, 773-472-4781
(Loop) 53 E. Lake Street

True Nature Health Foods (Edgewater)
6034 N. Broadway, 773-465-6400

Whole Foods: multiple Chicago locations

*Special Localvore Challenge vendors at Green City Market! We've brought in a few guest farmers to help fill out your Localvore menus:

Wednesday, September 10: *Three Sisters Garden, Kankakee IL Dry black beans and huitlacoche
Saturday, September 13: *Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm, Ottawa IL Pastured pork, chicken and eggs *Kismet Organics, Fennville MI Certified organic pears

*Meadow Haven Farm, Sheffield IL
Grass fed beef, certified organic chicken and eggs

*Three Sisters Garden

Green City Market Mission

• To improve the availability of a diverse range of high quality foods.


• To connect local producers and farmers to chefs, restaurateurs,
  food organizations and the public.


• And, to support small family farms and promote a healthier society
  through education and appreciation for local, fresh, sustainably raised produce and products.
  

Directions to Market

The Chicago Green City Market is located at the South end of Lincoln Park between Clark and Stockton Drive. Discounted parking is available for $8 for the first two hours at the Piper's Alley Self Park Garage located at 230 W. North Ave. Customers must pick up a validation coupon at the Information Desk to receive the discounted price.

Additional discounted parking is available for $9 for the first two hours with validation in the parking lot off of Stockton Drive at North Avenue.


Lincoln Park Trolley Service
The 43rd ward has a new Free Trolley service through Lincoln Park and along Michigan Avenue to Chicago's most popular sites. The trolley service stops directly in front of Chicago's Green City Market and runs every 20 minutes.

1000s Show for Green City Market Kick-Off with Mayor Daley

know your food...know your farmer

GCM Founder and President Abby Mandel and Mayor Richard M. Daley cut the 10th anniversary cake as Maggie Daley and Rick Bayless look on. photo by Roark Johnson

Our rally on Saturday was a resounding success! Mayor Richard M. Daley and Maggie Daley were on hand to proclaim the day "Green City Market Day" and honor GCM Founder and President Abby Mandel, who spoke about her vision of a year round farmers' market in Chicago. Chef Rick Bayless, owner of Frontera Grill/Topolobampo, provided remarks highlighting the importance of supporting local farmers and producers, and Beth and Brent Eccles of Green Acres Farm spoke about the history of their farm and their start with Green City Market. Participants in our Sprouts educational program for kids danced the "Local-motion" as the Mayor officially cut a ribbon made of fresh lilac branches, and we finished the event with a delicious rhubarb birthday cake, prepared by Limelight Catering.

The Market experienced a record breaking turnout as thousands of Green City Market patrons and supporters joined us for a day of celebration, good food, and the freshest produce and products from local farmers and vendors.


What's Cropping Up: Seasonal Excitement:

• Purple asparagus is available from Mick Klug Farm.
• Garden Offerings has a dazzling array of tulips.
• Certified Organic baby lettuce is offered at Kinnikinnick Farm.
  
• Ready to plant your own garden? Many of our vendors have seedlings for sale.