It must be spring: The lilacs are blooming, the trees are leafy and green, and the Saturday Evanston Farmer’s Market is now open for business!
The crowd was large, but the vibes were good at opening day of the Evanston Farmers Market. New Market Director Vanessa Champagne was on hand to oversee the spring bounty on display on a gorgeous sunny day, greeting vendors and guests and attending to the business of the market. It was an auspicious start to the Evanston Farmers Market’s 49th year.
“It’s a busier first day than normal,” said Miriam of Katich Breads, observing the crowds as she put crusty croissants and fluffy focaccia in a customer’s tote bag. “We weren’t expecting such a large crowd! But Evanston usually exceeds our expectations, so we’ll have to adjust again.”
Some of the longest lines were at The Cheese People, River Valley Ranch, Nichols Farm, and Kikwetu Coffee, filled with smiling people waiting patiently for their food. The longest line was at long-time market vendor Gotta B Crepes, where 40 people queued up for the opportunity to order freshly made crepes filled with market produce, cheeses, and more.
Near the middle of the crepe line stood Northwestern University senior Ani Kaman and her mother, Rini Adhikari of Hong Kong. It was Rini’s first time at the Market, but Ani “comes nearly every weekend when it’s open” to order the River Valley Florentine Crepe and pick up treats from the Misericordia Hearts & Flour booth – specifically their chocolate chip-cranberry cookies. Mom will be back next month for graduation, and possibly another market visit.
Sipping her Kikwetu coffee, Rini said, “I like this market. It’s a good size to walk around, and the people are so friendly. There’s something for everyone.”
There are seven new vendors at the market this year, and five of them were present at opening day: Banford Road Farm, Barry’s Berries, Blaque Millennium Kitchens, Piedt Farms, and Wanda Farm. The two missing newcomers were Baked by Meaux and BasketHouse, but they will have their market debut on May 11.
Friends of Evanston Farmers Markets President Diane Sokolofski was also on hand to run this week’s special event, with Nature’s Farm Camp handing out free prairie plants and cuttings to eager home gardeners. There will be weekly Farm to Fork Chef Demos as the season rolls on.
Be sure to check out the Evanston RoundTable’s Market Recipes in the Food section for inspiration for cooking with seasonal produce from our fabulous Farmers Market.
The downtown Evanston Farmers Market is open from 7:30 a.m. — 1 p.m. every Saturday from the first weekend of May through the first week of November. Seniors and disabled shoppers can have exclusive access from 7 a.m. — 7:30 a.m.