Originally published in Crain’s Chicago Business
June 11, 2014
Chicago’s Green City Market, the popular organic and natural foods farmers market in Lincoln Park, is planning an outpost in the Fulton Market area, a spokesman for the City of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development confirmed.
Green City, which features fresh produce and artisanal foods from regional sources on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, will invite produce vendors to sell their goods at a new venue in the heart of one of the hippest and fastest-growing restaurant hubs in the city. That market could open as soon as mid-July, but the specific spot hasn’t been decided. Organizers are coordinating details with several city departments and local business groups.
The new venue will be a chef-focused market with only raw produce for sale, the spokesman confirmed. No prepared foods will be sold as they are at the Lincoln Park market.
Beth Eccles, co-owner of Green Acres Farm in Judson, Indiana, and a longtime vendor at Green City, said farmers have been briefed on the plans and were told the new market is expected to operate Saturday mornings. Mark Psilos, GCM’s associate director, wouldn’t confirm details about the new market.
“This is really exciting because we’ll get more exposure to many chefs and people who don’t come to the Lincoln Park market because it’s too far away or too crowded,” Ms. Eccles said.
The city of Chicago is eager to create a farmers market in the Fulton Market district to reinforce the area’s historic association with regional foods, the city spokesman notes. Last night, a pop-up farmers market closed down the 800 block of West Fulton for a few hours.
Part of Fulton Market Innovation District
The city has been moving forward with a Fulton Market Innovation District to boost economic growth in the area. Creation of a historic district is in the works, and one highlight envisioned in that location is the upcoming chef-oriented farmers market, the city spokesman confirmed. The historic district, with borders at Hubbard, Halsted, Ogden and Randolph, has been preliminarily approved by the city’s Commission on Chicago Landmarks. A public comment period is underway until the fall.
A long-term objective within the innovation district includes creation of a permanent indoor facility for regional food wholesaling and local food processing, he noted. That’s good news for regional farmers who want to sell their goods year-round in Chicago.
The 16-year-old Green City Market, at the intersection of North Clark Street and North Lincoln Avenue at the south end of Lincoln Park, has been expanding its presence in Chicago as more residents and local chefs clamor for foods grown locally in a sustainable manner that’s healthier for consumers and restorative for the land. The twice-weekly outdoor market moves indoors to the Peggy Notebaert Museum up the road after Halloween and stays there till mid-spring. Vendors are scattered in patches throughout the museum and some are only given outdoor spots because there isn’t enough room inside.
“Last season was really cold outside,” said Ms. Eccles, whose fall harvest was for sale just outside of the museum’s entrance. “One day it was 18 degrees and some of our produce was literally freezing on the table.”
– Judith Nemes
