Andersonville Farmers Market

You can’t help but love classics like Goldfinger, and Secret Agent Man on an accordion. That was the live music selection at today’s winter farmer’s market. The market is small with maybe around 20 vendors. They had homemade candies, pastries, soups, bread, and salsas. I ended up with some great organic winter spinach and winter radishes, and also some ciabatta bread. (I think I see a sandwich in my near future.) I was also intrigued by the never-​ending knowledge of the black garlic vendor, and ended up with some of that, too. Though the market is small it’s a good place to pick up some fresh goods, and commune with your neighbors. And, it gives you just a taste of summer when all the outdoor farmers markets are in full swing.

I stopped by last week. The Andersonville Farmers Market is a decent size with lots of samples to taste, and is far bigger than the tiny one in Edgewater and the so-​so one by the Loyola el. It might be around the same size as the Rogers Park one by the Morse el.
Like other Farmers Markets, they offer a LINK matching program. In Andersonville’s case, this means that they’ll charge your LINK card a certain amount (say $ 10), and then give you $ 20 in cardboard tokens. You then use the cardboard tokens to buy goods. While this of course doesn’t let you spend in denominations smaller than $ 1, so you can’t buy taste portions, it avoids the nonsense I saw last night in the Rogers Park Farmers Market. There, the two women operating the LINK machine couldn’t figure out how to correctly bill the customer, and kept overcharging her. In the end, I’m pretty sure they underpaid the vendor by $ 1.50.

I appreciate the fact that this market is open into the early evening hours. This is really wonderful especially for people who work full-​time during the week. This market features a myriad of produce items, many kinds of breads and excellent meat vendors. This Farmer’s Market features a rotation of vendors (merchants), which s a great way to give new vendors an opportunity to participate every other week. You will see items, such as, baked goodies and fresh real fruit jams. Due to the «rotation» of vendors (merchants) you may not see a specific vendor the following week. One vendor that I was very happy to see this year was «Black Garlic North America» which offers aged, fermented garlic which has a sweet, delicate taste and balances most dishes perfectly. I love using this garlic in different meats as well as using it sparingly in salads, grilled salmon or broiled Talapia. I also purchased some organic vegetables and fruits. I even found corn, which is very hard to find at a Farmer’s Market. Picked up a few ears for my husband who loves corn on the cob. This Farmer’s Market is open through October 15, 2014 and every Wednesday from 3 to 7 pm. Gotta love it!
Due to «space» this is not a huge Farmer’s Market, however, it has some wonderful items. I like the size of this market, because it doesn’t take long to get through the entire market and hit up most of the vendors here. I have been to many, many Farmer’s Market over the years and most close by early afternoon. On the other hand, this Farmer’s Market is open until 7 or 8 pm (depending upon the day of the week and time of month). This year the market opened two-​weeks early, which was very exciting for those of us who enjoy a great Farmer’s Market.
There are nearly 30 vendors offering everything from fresh-​cut flowers, wonderful bottles of wine to a myriad of cheese to honey and including fresh lamb, delicious ripe fruits and unique vegetables. If you enjoy tea in the fall and winter time (or year round) you must check out the gourmet tea vendors. There are pies, gourmet pasta sauce and unique salsas that you may not find any where else. I noticed some people brought their knives (yes, you heard correctly) — knives — and someone will sharpen your knives for FREE while you walk around the Farmer’s Market and shop till you drop!
I met Brady Bradine at the Farmer’s Market. This is his fourth year being a vendor at the market. He sells all-​natural, whole grain baked goods, which I can appreciate but can no longer eat. For example, Brady sells cookies, cupcakes, muffins and brownies from his bakery located in Oak Park, IL (it is called «B True Bakery»). I didn’t purchase any items from the «B True Bakery» but my friend purchased a cupcake and cookie for her husband. I gave up sweets and anything that contains sugar, but I do admit my mouth was watering and everything looked fantastic and smelled super fresh. My friend rated the cupcake with 4-​stars (as she ate it while we were walking around the market). Her husband enjoyed the cookie and said it was «very, very good.» He didn’t rate the cookie. However, he inhaled the cookie very quickly so I will take this to mean that maybe the cookie was/​is 4 or 5-​star worthy.
If you have not been to a Farmer’s Market this Summer, get your ass over to Berwyn Avenue (between Clark and Ashland Avenue) and treat yourself. This is their sixth year. I love a good Farmer’s Market, and appreciate that they also offer organic products that will not break your budget. I also appreciate that they accept credit cards, debit and LINK cards which makes it very convenient for everyone to shop at this Farmer’s Market. Some of the other Farmer’s Market that I have shopped at this Summer are «cash only» but not the Andersonville Farmer’s Market. Out of all the Farmer’s Market that I have been to this Summer this is one of my favorite markets. It is such a great community of people and the vendors are fantastic and sell quality top-​notch products. It is affordable so I can purchase healthy organic items for a lot less than I would pay at Whole Foods! Check out this market before it ends. You will not be disappointed!
Hhhhm, I am not sure why someone voted this review as «Funny.» Strange.

This was the 2^nd Farmers Market I’ve gone to in Chicago and again wasn’t very impressed. Had less vendors than the Logan Square Farmers Market. I went on 6÷4÷14 and just felt the display by the vendors was thin overall. I arrived around 6:30p so with an hour and a half left I’m sure it’s not uncommon to be out of product. I did take note that one vendor (Twin Garden Farms) wasn’t present as they are advertised on the website. I was hoping they would be there because of their unique corn on the cob. I did not see any signs of them there.
It was also a rather cool night and it had been raining most of the day so that could have impacted the overall sad feel to the market. I will give it a go again in a few weeks or so as I want to support local busniess.
I was again disapointed with the lack of fresh cut flowers and one vendor with just potted ones for gardening.

Great way to spend a summer evening! Andersonville is such a great neighborhood so you can venture out to shop or dine when you are finished shopping. Great produce from local farmers is the perfect match. From farm to your table is a great feeling.

My favorite local farmers market I’ve visited, by far. I’ve always wished the season would start a little sooner than the first week of June, though. Maybe they’ll finally heed that advice, and start a few weeks earlier for 2014? I can understand the season ending in mid-​October, due to the fact it starts to turn very cool enough right around that part of the fall. I still really wish their farmers market season would begin at least by mid-​May, though.
Though some of the vendors are a tad expensive, I always find something to enjoy about this farmers market every time I go. If you have a chance and a Wednesday afternoon/​early evening to come by, check it out.

I am starting to be a bit of a meat/​veggies snob. I don’t get to Farmer’s markets as often as I would like. Although this market is not the most conveniently located to where we live, I would go out of the way to do my shopping here.
They have a good variety of vendors here. One can find almost every kind of perishable and it is all local! All of the vendors are friendly and more than happy to tell you about their wares.
Not only are the vendors awesome, the crowd is also really cool. Started up a few conversations with folks just standing in line or browsing. This is going to be on my rotating schedule of farmer’s markets to attend!

This is one of my favorite things in the neighborhood, and there are a lot of things I like in the neighborhood. There’s a solid variety of vendors (many of whom have free samples… just saying) and prices are fair. If you know what’s in season, you can probably get a deal. The focus is definitely on produce, which works for me.
I also really like that it’s in the evening, which helps me avoid the less-​than-​preferable scenario of hanging around with 3 pounds of apples and/​or tomatoes after my lunch break/​until I go home.

The Andersonville Farmers’ Market is just like the neighborhood (quaint, cozy and friendly). There’s great selection for produce and other items (breads, meats, eggs, treats, etc.).
The prices from vendors could be cheaper, but I guess the standard prices for Chicago farmers markets are marked up in general. Another recommendation would be if they had more vendors with made-​to-​order food.
I love the market and it’s a staple to my Wednesday evenings throughout the summer.

I really like this farmers market. I don’t feel overwhelmed with selection as I do at other farmers markets (not that I’m knocking you Daley Plaza, but sometimes I just leave with an apple because there are too many varieties of all produce) and there is a neighborhood feel to this farmers market. I’ve been here 4 weeks in a row and several tents know who I am as they start reaching for the honey crisps and the sun burst tomatoes.
The prices are reasonable — I purchased slightly beat up honey crisps for $ 5 (I chose the second hand looking ones as they were $ 2 cheaper) and ½ pint of organic sunburst tomatoes for $ 2.50.
It can get crowded as it’s on a narrow strip of Berwyn and many people bring strollers and/​or dogs, so be aware of that before heading in.
Also, they have a token system in case you forget to bring cash (like me).

The Andersonville Farmer’s Market is great for your dosage of local-​produce-​warm-​fuzzies for the week. It’s conveniently located (right off Clark), which is nice, but it’s a little small (no parking lot for these guys, they have to make do with the side street).
I feel it’s friendlier and more intimate than other farmers markets I’ve been to in the city. They have a nice selection of produce, and you can certainly get a lot of your weekly (healthy) grocery shopping here with fruits, vegetables, eggs, cheeses, tofu, pastries and more!

This farmer’s market is friendly, convenient, and has so many wonderful local and organic options. The only downside is that it is very small. If you can find whatever it is that you are looking for on the block between Clark and Ashland, then this is an excellent option.
More so than other Farmers Markets that I have been to, this one hosts many vendors who do more than just raw goods. You can usually find artisan bread, cheeses, tofu, pastries, and other local creations. This is nice if you’re trying to put together an entire meal from the market without rounding out your shopping list at a large supermarket.
Some of the vendors can be a bit pricey… that’s the cost of quality products. Fortunately many are becoming credit-​card friendly and if you should need cash there is a US Bank with an ATM just up the street.

This is a nice addition to the neighborhood. The vendors are friendly and there’s a decent variety of organic meat, produce, and breads to purchase. They even have knife sharpening while you shop!

Ok… Admittedly, maybe I’m just easy (when it comes to Farmers Markets), but I love this one. Andersonville is a great area, the vendors are always super friendly, I meet fun people there, and they have go
Parking: Street (meter) on Clark, but there are plenty of other options around (Ashland, Rascher, etc.) with free street parking in the neighborhood.
Gluten Free Friends: They have yummy GF options too. Side Note: Right nearby is Andie’s. They now have GF Pita to go with the hummus! ;)

This was my first time at the Andersonville Farmer’s Market. It had most of the items that I was looking for. Typical farmers market.
The market is compact since it’s only couple of blocks long. There are plenty of options for veggies and fruits, but organic and non-​organic. The only item that I didn’t find was corn. The red and black berries are delicious. The Bruni-​Uusto cheese stand is incredible which you can taste before you buy a packet or two.
It’s great to have this market during the week to replenish your fruits and veggies that you have bought over the weekend. The evening hours is a plus.
Looking to return.

Ah, the midweek highlight that is the farmers market! I miss it already. I only moved to the neighborhood in the late summer, so I can speak more to the fall offerings than spring or early summer. My favorites: Apple cider from Michigan. The beautiful name-​your-​price flower arrangements, run by the friendliest young women. Homemade caramels in the most delicious flavor combinations, like honey vanilla or rose. Halloumi cheese and tofu. Squid ink pasta. Samples GALORE.
Take a few laps to compare prices, then dive in. Enjoy the live music, the dog friendliness, cheerful vendors, and best of all, the late operating hours.

I finally made it the whole 7 blocks away to this farmers market.
Andersonville is technically a part of Edgewater, but let me tell you, this farmers market rips the pants off of the Edgewater market! It is no jealous sibling, but a hulking behemoth of wonder!
What a slacker I have been for not making it here sooner! Oh. My. GOD!
There must have been 7 or 8 stalls of fresh veggies. I have been craving tomatoes like a heroin/​crack whore and supermarket tomatoes will not do it. I had to get my fix. And let me tell you, I have been nodding in tomato glory all week! They were not horridly expensive, and super wonderful!!!
THE CHEESE, oh, the CHEESE is to die for. I came home with some fresh mozzarella and a wonderful horseradish cheddar spread. Spread? you may be thinking– Yes, add a dab of this to noodles and you have the best darn Mac-​n-​Cheese that you can imagine! Add some mixed mushrooms from the vendor (10 $ for a really full bag) and you are set for some of the best Mac and Cheese that you can imagine!
My mouth is watering just thinking about it again. I am going back this week, and next week, and every week until they close.
Yes, they do sell bakery items, ice cream, meats, you name it. But between the cheese, shrooms, and tomatoes, I am the happiest person you can find!
I wish they would teach the Edgewater people how to do it. This is two blocks worth of stands, delicious, wonderful stands!

Sometimes, I forget that I live in the nation’s third-​largest city… and that sometimes usually happens when I’m perusing the Andersonville Farmers Market.
As expected at a farmers market, there’s free samples for the taking. I’m talking in-​season jams, glorious cheeses grilled on the spot, handmade tofu, cardamom blueberry granola, banana foster-​flavored popcorn, quickly-​snapped-​up ears of Iowa corn and juicy apricots. But, bet you didn’t know real smiles were up for grabs, too! I’m wearing my ear-​to-​ear Sunday grin on a Wednesday… hump day, my dears, has never rocked this hard. Where’s that apron?
And when I awake tomorrow, I’ll have my way with organic eggs, sweet gypsy peppers, oranges juiced by the hands of yours truly and a slice of zucchini bread. I believe this is what we Americans call «stopping to smell the roses» though more accurately, I’ll be stopping to smell the heady fragrance of fresh-​cut lilies (also purchased at the AFM).
If you forget your cash, don’t despair — you can buy tokens on your credit/​debit card and they basically work like cash (you’ll get hard change back). This small, easy-​to-​navigate open air market is open ’til 8pm every summer Wednesday, and they keep it going into the borrowed days of Indian summer, too.
LOVE. That is all.

Fantastic! Any time I want to spend $ 5 for a small jar of cheese spread, no scratch that. .. . any time I want to spend $ 5 for a small jar of SPREADABLE CRACK COCAINE, I’m coming to the AFM and Brunkow Cheese of Wisconsin (of course). Ohmyfreakinggawd. This stuff is so good, and they have a small hibachi on site, for grilled cheese curds. This cheesehead rejoiced. I was powerless, my wallet sprung open beyond my control.
Also great Concord grapes, and apple cider. What was priceless was procuring really healthy, delicious snacks (grapes and free samples) for a hungryish «I want a snack!» kid.
Great, small market in the best ‘hood in Chicago. Pricey, but eh — every once in awhile, you have to indulge. Oh, and running into My Favorite Unilocalers at the market? Priceless as well.

My apartment smells fabulous right now, because I’m slow roasting tomatoes from the farmers market. Because they were «seconds» — some overripe, some bruised, none perfect — I got a 10 lb bag for 5 bucks. That’s cheaper than The Jewels.
I’ve fallen hard for my local farmers market. It’s not big, and there isn’t the variety of some markets, but to quote Spencer Tracy in «Pat and Mike,» what’s there is cherce.
What is there? Well, the usual rundown of fruits and veggies, of course. Apples are coming in, and the beloved honey crisps are everywhere. ($ 5/​qt, which in my case was 7 apples, which is much better than The Jewels.) Though I’m a little put off by the winter squash. Too soon!
But it’s the non F&V stuff I tend to buy here. Great breads — if a little pricey — from Bennison’s. Amazing fresh and aged cheeses from Brunkow Cheese in Wisconsin. They have a raw milk white cheddar and horseradish spread that is amazing. And an aged cheddar that is one of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth. And you know there’s a lot of competition there. Preserves from Rare Bird which include — are you sitting down? — strawberry chocolate. And so much more. Infused vinegars, herb rubs, fresh eggs, fresh pasta. Goat meat! Krsna, are you listening?
Of course, most of this stuff isn’t cheap. Sure, there are bargains like the tomatoes and apples, but the eggs are $ 4.50 a dozen. But a half pound of 6 year aged cheddar for 12 bucks is more satisfying than a pound and a half from Kraft for the same price. Go for it.
The market must be doing well, because it has been extended until Oct. 7. (Originally, Sept 9 was going to be the last day.) Hours are now 3 to 7. I assume this means they’ll be back next year. Which is good news for all of us.