The Park Ridge Farmers Market officially launched on May 23—and will continue running every Saturday through October, rain or shine.
The market is located in Uptown at 15 Prairie Avenue and operates from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year, the market has 23 permanent vendors and a selection of guest vendors. Most of them come from Illinois and other nearby states, but Pappardelle’s Pasta comes all the way from Denver, Colorado.
The market’s website boasts many goals including showing Park Ridge kids where their food comes from. It also says the market seeks to encourage city residents to shop local and introduce them to local businesses they might not otherwise be exposed to. Finally, the organizers want the market to continue serving as a local community hub.
The market is offering fruits, vegetables, herbs and flower seeds. Allegretti’s Bakery, of Norridge, and Breadman Baking, of Deerfield, are selling baked goods. Lord of the Beans coffee shop, of Des Plaines, which specializes in fair trade coffee, is bringing two new blends – Organic Sumatra Aceh Ketiara and Kenyan AA Nyeri Eichamara. Park Ridge’s own Tail Waggin’ Treats is offering “all natural,” home made dog treats, while Roy’s Red Hots is on hand selling hot dogs.
The market is offering more than just food and beverages. Sharpening By Dave, of Lindenhurst, will be there to sharpen residents’ knives.
This year, the market has a number of guest vendors. On May 23, Sitka Salmon Shares, of Galesburg, Illinois, offered fresh salmon straight from Alaska. Gretta’s Goats, of Pecatonica, offered handmade soaps that are made from goat milk.
This year marked a major change for the market’s operations. In April, the Park Ridge City Council passed a resolution allowing it to welcome food trucks for the first time.
The market is also giving back and residents are encouraged to bring in canned food, which will be donated to the New Hope Food Pantry. The pantry is operated by the New Hope Methodist Church of Chicago’s Norwood Park neighborhood.
The market will feature a number of events throughout the summer. Park Ridge guitarist Tom Compton performed at the May 23 market and local country singer Kent Rose performed on May 20, while Brian Reed will be performing during the same time slot on June 6. There will also be a number of activities and performances held at the kids’ tent.
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More information about the market is available at parkridgefarmersmarket.com.
Igor Studenkov is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.