The Greater Englewood Farmers Market Is Here!

By Rodney C Walker on Thursday, June 25, 2009

The Greater Englewood Farmers Market kicked off June 18th, 2009 at 63rd and Union street. The Farmers Market is opened from 8:00am - 1:00pm on Thursday's from June 18th to October 29th, for more information please call 773-602-4508

Fresh produce and other products will soon be available to Englewood residents and other south siders through a new farmers market.

“The objective for this farmers market is to provide goods and produce that is, for the most part, grown in our community. The overall goal is to show the people of our community that the same type of produce they buy from big name stores can be grown in our own community. Moreover, we will help educate our people about eating healthily, diversifying their food choices, and selecting options beyond fast food,” said organizers.

Englewood residents can now enjoy fresh vegetables from a neighborhood farmers market.

Produce from Englewood’s own Wood Street Urban Farm, which is operated in a partnership with Growing Home and Teamwork Englewood, is available. High schoolers at the Lindblom Math and Science Academy are involved in the market and customers can use Electronic Benefit Transfer machines to pay with credit cards or public aid debit cards.

Collard greens, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, watermelon, spinach, mustard greens, lettuce, celery, cucumber, carrots, broccoli, beets, brussels’ sprouts and cabbage are some of the products offered. Over 20 vendors offer flowers, meat, cheese and bakery items, in addition to produce.

The market serves as a gathering place and serves a neighborhood researchers declared part of a south side “food desert” in Chicago. A 2006 study described Englewood as one of the city’s communities in which residents have a hard time finding fresh fruit and vegetables, which contributes to the growth of diseases like obesity and diabetes.

Food grown at Englewood's Wood Street Urban Farm will be available at the farmers market.

Richard Muhammad

Organizers say the farmers market can offer “fresh organic produce” for many south side residents beyond Englewood. Market travel time is cut and produce offered is culturally appropriate and reasonably priced, they said. “Chefs and cooks will be present to provide demonstrations on how to prepare the variety of foods available,” organizers added. 

The farmers market fits into Quality of Life plans to improve access to fresh food and improve the health of neighborhood residents.

The farmers market can also use support:

  • Monetary donations can be mailed to Teamwork Englewood, 815 W. 63rd Street, 2nd Floor, Chicago IL 60621. Indicate “Farmers Market” in the memo line.
  • Volunteers with a variety of skills are needed. If you have special skills or gifts (musical talent, nutrition education, fundraising expertise, etc.) to contribute to this community effort, contact organizers at englewoodfarmersmarket@gmail.com.
  • Help get the word out. You can help by advertising the market through your church, school, block club, or other organization. Or support the market by placing ads or information in community organization, church, school, or other organization bulletins or add info to your group’s website.

“This farmers market will help show people in our community what can be done with the resources and assets in our community. Most people, moreso in the Englewood community, are used to going outside of their community to get food and other things because of lack of access to grocery stores and shopping centers,” said the Rev. Rodney Walker, executive director of Teamwork Englewood.

“By establishing this market, Teamwork Englewood is taking a step toward empowering our community and bringing people in to generate economic stimulation. Bringing on a change in the community and starting a chain of wonderful events in Englewood is the root goal of the NCP Quality of Life Plan,” he said.

For general information, contact the Englewood Farmers Market at 773-602-4507, or e-mail englewoodfarmersmarket@gmail.com. Click here to download a flyer promoting the farmers market.