On June 19th, in downtown Northbrook at the corner of Cherry Lane and Meadow Road, the 16th annual Northbrook Farmers Market kicked off its 12-day season with 20 vendors amid sunny skies and temperatures nearing 90 degrees.
An estimated 25,000 people are expected to attend the market season, which runs every Wednesday through October 9th from 7am to 1pm in the Meadow Plaza car park.
The Northbrook Farmers Market is operated by the Northbrook Farmers Market Association, an all-volunteer, tax-exempt, non-profit organization.
“People don’t just come to the farmers market to find good food, because we have good food, but they come to feel welcome. We welcome them, and they’re part of this community,” said Dale Duda, Northbrook market founder, market manager and association president.
“We’re part of this community, and we want you to come,” Duda said. “A lot of people say this is their ‘happy place.’ When you come here, you always know somebody. And if you don’t know anyone, we’ll talk to you, introduce you. That’s how we do it.”
“This is something much bigger,” Duda said. “It’s not just food.”
The market officially opened at 10 a.m. with a ribbon and watermelon-cutting ceremony, featuring returning Northbrook musician Steve Zane as headliner.
“It’s a really fun environment,” Zane says. “I really enjoy being here.”
The free watermelon slices are courtesy of Sunset Foods of Northbrook, which donated 16 watermelons to commemorate the market’s 16-year history.
“It’s really wonderful,” said Ron Bernardi, master of ceremonies and head of community outreach for Sunset Foods, about the market’s tradition. “It brings the community together.”
The opening day featured several speakers, including Janie Maxwell, executive director of the Illinois Farmers Market Association (ILFMA), who noted that there are approximately 300 farmers markets operating throughout Illinois.
“Where can you get diversity in foods that are grown for taste and nutrition, not for transportation?” Maxwell said.
Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton of Glenview grew up on a farm in Macon in the southern part of the state that grew soybeans, corn and other crops.
“This place (local farmers’ markets) has always been near and dear to my heart because we grow our own produce and milk our own cows,” Britton said. “Wagner Farms in Glenview was definitely that.”
“I think it’s really important to support farmers and the people who grow local produce here,” Britton said.
Skip and Merle Shane of Glenview brought their 2-year-old granddaughter, Aria, to Merle Shane’s birthday.
“It’s amazing,” Mar Shayne said of his time with Alia.
“It’s my birthday and I couldn’t ask for a better gift than a babysitter,” Merle Shayne added with a smile.
Northbrook Farmers Market volunteers partner with Glenview-based Northfield Township Food Pantry to collect fresh fruits and vegetables for pantry patrons at the end of the market day.
Shiva Mohsenzadeh of Glenview, Northfield Township Supervisor and chair of the Northfield Township Food Pantry, said assistance was provided to about 850 of the 1,175 registered households in Northbrook, Glenview and Northfield in May.
Demand is typically higher in the summer for families with children out of school who don’t qualify for free or reduced school meals.
“Hunger is everywhere, even in wealthy communities like Glenview, Northbrook and Northfield,” Mohsenzadeh said.
Northbrook Village Mayor Katherine L. Ciesla told the ceremony audience about Juneteenth, a federal holiday that falls on June 19. “Let’s take a moment to reflect on what it means to know in the remotest parts of the country that slavery ended.”
Ciesla spoke to the Pioneer Press at length about why Juneteenth is important both locally and globally.
“This is not just about us, this is about the whole community. We have learned through 9/11, war, climate issues and many other things that we need to think globally,” Ciesla said.
“So I think going to farmers markets and really thinking about global issues is a really important and good thing.”
Ciesla warmly welcomed many neighbors to the local farmers market at its grand opening.
“It’s like a party,” Ciesla said. “It’s amazing.”
New distributor Fox Valley Garlic of Crystal Lake sold locally grown garlic products to customers including Larry Gabler of Hampshire, who purchased garlic and onion products.
“We love this market,” Gaebler says, “and it’s so easy to get around.”
Steven Glatstein of Crystal Lake manned the booth for Fox Valley Garlic, a business run by his sister and brother-in-law. On June 19, Fox Valley Garlic sold spreads made with garlic grown in Crystal Lake and pre-packaged garlic grinders.
“It’s great to be here,” Glatstein said.
Fresh garlic harvest is just beginning.
“We’ll probably have fresh garlic available for sale in about two weeks,” Glatstein said.
It was her first time at Northbrook and the Northbrook Farmers Market, said regular customer Katie Butler, who brought along her 5-year-old first-grader, Maeve Butler.
“I love it. The farmers market is so nice,” Katie Butler said. “We just moved here a week ago and so far it’s been great.”
“I’ve met about 10 people and they’ve all been really friendly and lovely, so I’m really happy to be a part of this community now,” Butler added.
Glenview is also home to a Farmer’s Market, which opened June 15th and runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon through October 19th at Historic Wagner Farm (1510 Wagner Road) in Glenview.
Visit https://glenviewparks.org/event/glenview-farmers-market/ and https://northbrookfarmersmarket.org.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
