Green City Market

Contact Info

Description

Celebrating our 11th season, Green City Market, a 501(c) 3 not for profit organization, is Chicago's only sustainable green market. The Market is experiencing record crowds and has become a nationally recognized marketplace that educates, promotes and connects farmers and local producers directly to chefs, restaurateurs and the greater Chicago community. We value education about quality food and its source, farmers who take care of the land, preservation of sustainably farmed land, a vibrant, thriving community of local farms and the consumption of locally grown food. Green City Market programs and educational initiatives and outreach speak to our dedication of extending the powerful message: Know Your Food. Know Your Farmer. No other organization embraces such a comprehensive mission. The Market's incredible success reflects Chicagoans' increasing concern for a more sustainable food system and their desire for quality food produced by local farmers using organic and sustainable practices that preserves the environment for future generations. Green City Market's support of these local artisanal farmers and producers increases the density of fresh, high-quality, locally produced food in Chicago, and provides the basis for a regional cuisine. From that first year in 1999 next to the Chicago Theatre to the present time, Green City Market has morphed into a vital "green" Market at the south end of Lincoln Park that Alice Waters calls "the best sustainable market in the country".

The Market and have created special programs and event's for 2009 including:

H&H Progam: Heirloom & Heritage Program, anchoring marketing initiatives for 09. Will promote heirloom and heritage products through signage at farmer stands and incorporation into all GCM programs.

Club Sprouts: Educational program for children that teach them the importance of food and its traditions. Special activities, food preparation and food tastings make learning fun. Every Wednesday and Saturday.

Savor the Season Tasting Series: Monthly program designed to promote market products at the height of their season. Chef tastings and cooking demonstrations introduce shoppers to the basics and variety of local produce. Tips, techniques for storing, freezing, and cooking; and take-home educational materials enhance appreciation for the amazing farmers’ bounty.

Green City Market's Edible Gardens at Lincoln Park Zoo’s Farm-in-the-Zoo, presented by John Deere: Hands-on program for children and their families that focuses on growing an organic edible garden. Children plant, weed, harvest and enjoy the foods they help grow. Programs are also available for school and summer camp field trips. Supervised and planted by Jeanne Pinsof, Green City Market’s Organic Gardener. Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Chef Demonstrations: A Green City Market favorite. Supporting chefs from the finest restaurants in the city demonstrate how to prepare meals using locally produced, seasonal ingredients from our market farmers and producers. Every Wednesday and Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m. Farm Forager: This full time position is the result of a partnership between Green City Market and the City of Chicago Farmers Market Program to bring more local, sustainably produced foods into the city. The Farm Forager visits the farms of every vendor who comes into the city to validate production practices and sources and helps qualify new farmers willing to bring their food into Chicago markets.

Ethnic Festivals: New for 09. Monthly events highlighting a Chicago neighborhood: Italian, Asian, Latin, etc. Events will include in entertainment, music, highlighting farmer’s products, special tastings and chef demos.

Annual Localvore Challenge: Two week challenge encouraging Chicago consumers to eat and support local products. This initiative drives home the Market’s mission. Localvore Kits are created and distributed promoting local products available, chef recipes and menus. Green City Market Localvore Email Help Desk and blog created to assist shoppers with trading recipes and sharing stories. The event ends with a Town Hall Meeting and panel discussion.

Year round Green City Market is a year round farmer's market. We operate indoors at The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive in Lincoln Park, November 08 - April 09 Currently, the Market is held the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month: January 17, February 7 & 21, March 7 & 21, April 4 & 18 from 8:00am-1:00pm.  We operate outdoors, at the South End of Lincoln Park, May 6 - October 31, 2009 every Wednesday and Saturday, 7:00am-1:00pm.  We will return to The Notebaert on November 7, 2009.

Read more about "Farmers' Markets"