To The Market I Go

These are the sights I see when I go to the Woodlawn Farmer's market on Saturdays.


Once I hit Dorchester I pass by Apostolic Church. The flowers in the parking medians are just the living end.



As I keep on heading north on Dorchester, around 62nd Street, I was struck by how nice the lawn looked at this house.

So I keep on walking north until I hit 61st Street and the sign welcoming me to the Woodlawn Farmer's Market.

Yeah we don't have alot of booths---yet. Hope springs eternal for next year though.

Crepes in Woodlawn? Who knew?

Tomato Mountain Farms organic Habanero Salsa. If you like hot, I strongly suggest you pick up a jar. It's fire.

Bleeding Heart Bakery. I love them. Their Goat Cheese and Basil croissants are the shit. I wish they would come to the market every week.

Hopefully our little market will be teeming with vendors in '09. Woodlawn needs more fruits, vegetables and flowers too.

Don't Forget

Woodlawn's first ever Farmer's Market happens on Saturday the 17th starting at 9:00 AM til 2:00 PM at the Experimental Station located at 61st & Blackstone.

Break out your grocery carts and cloth bags, real food (not Flaming Hot Cheetos) have come back to the 'hood.

You'll recognize me by the loads of fresh flowers I'll be carrying.

Fresh flowers---who knew?

Woodlawn stand up!

Oasis

Apparently someone has heard our cries in the food desert.

Woodlawn is getting it’s very own Farmer’s Market starting Saturday, May 17th at Experimental Station home of Blackstone Bicycle Works.

So I’ll be able to walk to purchase reasonably priced fresh produce AND shop for a reasonably price eco friendly, weight controlling form of transportation.

Note the emphasis on walk, reasonably priced and fresh.

AND they’ll take the LINK Card. Not that I have one or anything. Apparently I made too much money when I was on unemployment.

It’s too good to be true.

But Woodlawn isn’t by itself----Bronzeville and Englewood are getting their own farmer’s markets as well.

Because we’re on the south side it wouldn’t surprise me if the markets were sponsored by McDonalds.

I predict that many poorly stocked, high priced corner grocery stores and mini marts will be feeling the pain of reduced business.

I’m very interested in seeing the selection of produce we get in the ‘hood. Since I’m a big fan of the market at Federal Plaza I have a pretty good idea what’s what.

I am beyond thrilled with this---see how the squeaky wheel gets the grease when enough people question the status quo.

South Side stand up.

Spring Has Sprung

Like the swallows coming back to Capistrano and the boozers flocking to sidewalk cafe's, warm weather is returning to the second city.

Not only will I be putting down the garden in short order, but I'll also be able to shop for fresh produce at one of our many weekly farmer's markets.

My grocery bill will go down and I get to support local farmers---some of which hail from areas around my hometown.

On the hit list for next Tuesday:

Mushrooms
Zuchinni
Yellow Squash
Garlic Cheddar Cheese

Farmer's Market

If the falling temperatures didn't let me know summer is over, the news that there's only six weeks left for Chicago's farmer's markets did.

Heavy sighs all the way around.

I now dream of stock piling bread, cheese and organically fed meats in a deep freezer to get me through the winter.

The only problem is I don't have a deep freezer.

Unfortunately condo living and community spaces don't lend themselves to having your own freezer to store away your goodies. There would either have to be a great deal of trust with your neighbors or a padlock involved.

Nothing says "screw you (potentially) thieving bastards" like a big padlock on an appliance.

Not exactly the neighborly vibe I'd like to promote.

Nonetheless visions of frozen bread and good Wisconsin cheese will accompany those of sugar plums and holiday treats this winter.