Summer's Calling: Northcenter Farmers Market Kicks Off Saturday

Nothing quite says “summer” like picking up your fresh produce from a farmers market, and starting Saturday, residents in North Center will be able to kick the season off right.

The City of Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is launching the Northcenter Farmers Market starting Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The weekly event at the Northcenter Town Square—located at Damen and Belle Plaine avenues—will run through October 26.

“The Farmers Markets program is one of my favorite ways to welcome spring,” said DCASE Commissioner Michelle T. Boone in a statement. “It signifies that the outdoor growing season is back and fresh product is available throughout our neighborhoods.”

The farmers market in North Center is just one of 24 markets the city organizes, this year adding two more locations: Uptown and Logan Square. Both with be new Night Market concepts running around 5-9 p.m.

"Our Farmers Markets are cultural touchstones for the city, but more importantly they bring fresh product directly to our residents and visitors," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.  "We are proud to have added five new markets on the west side last year, bringing a variety of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables and valuable nutritional information to underserved neighborhoods. This year, the new Spinoff Night Markets in Uptown and Logan Square will elevate and expand neighborhood cultural assets, a priority of the Chicago Cultural Plan."

And thanks to Jose Melgoza, Chicago Farmers Market shoppers will be able to pick up some locally grown veggies in their locally designed bag.

The Lane Tech College Prep High School junior won the organization’s annual reusable bag design contest, a move that bagged him a $1,000 scholarship from sponsor COUNTRY Financial.

Melgoza beat out 150 other students for the scholarship. His award-winning bag features the words Chicago Farmers Markets sprouting out of soil in front of the Chicago skyline.

“The phrase serves as the focal point to symbolize spring and growth in Chicago,” said Melgoza.

Juana Delao, a Lane Tech sophomore, and Mara Hontanosas, a senior at Mather High School, were named runners-up. Each artist was awarded a $500 scholarship.