The ultimate farmers market round-up

Think you know everything about the Chicago farmers market scene? Hush your mouth. With a cornucopia of amazing locally sourced seasonal goodies to choose from, Chicago’s vibrant local markets are the pride of the nation.

But Chicago’s more than 50 farmers markets means a lot of melons to squeeze to find your favorite—so we’ve done the leg work for you. The following information is current as of May 2022. Stay up to date on market specials and events by tapping “Like” on the Chicago City Market Facebook page.

TOP-RATED CHICAGO FARMERS MARKETS

So many choices for poppin’ fresh produce—and so little time. These are the five top-rated Chicago farmers markets according to Google. To make this list, markets needed to have at least 100 online ratings and be open for business at the time of this writing.

River Valley Market

Topping the list with 4.7 stars based on 361 reviews is River Valley Market located at 1820 W. Wilson Ave., open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. River Valley Market is a farmer-owned grocery store, CSA and home delivery service that provides same day in-store pick-up and home delivery to over 20 Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs (rvrmarket.com).

Green City Market Lincoln Park

With 4.7 stars based on 230 reviews is Green City Market Lincoln Park at 1817 N. Clark St., open Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Supporting food producers committed to environmental stewardship and the responsible treatment of animals, it’s the first farmers market in the country with vendors that are all certified by a nationally recognized third party agency (greencitymarket.org).

Evanston Farmers Market

Coming in third with 4.7 stars based on 190 reviews is Evanston Farmers Market at 1800 Maple Ave., open Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors can also purchase original artwork during “The Home Grown Artists” showcase. “Friends of Evanston Farmers Markets” is the market’s non-profit group, which promotes the benefits of eating locally grown foods (cityofevanston.org).

Plant Chicago

A close fourth with 4.7 stars based on 164 reviews is Plant Chicago at 4459 S. Marshfield Ave., open Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by to be treated with fresh, locally grown produce, microgreens, baked goods, honey, flowers, vegan treats and body products. Even better, time your visit on the right day to catch prepared food, live music, and other family-friendly activities (plantchicago.org).

Lincoln Park Farmers Market

Rounding out our top five list with 4.7 stars based on 157 reviews is Lincoln Park Farmers Market located at the Lincoln Park High School on 2001 N. Orchard St., open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 19. Now entering its 41st season, it’s a favorite known for seasonal produce, foods, baked goods, cheese and flowers (thelincolnparkfarmersmarket.com).

MARKETS THAT DO MORE

With so many markets to choose from, why not choose one that gives something back? The following area markets boast top-shelf summer fare and work for a cause.

Plant Chicago

The only market to appear twice on our list, Plant Chicago, at 4459 S. Marshfield Ave., open Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., is a nonprofit group working with a focus on methods for sustainable food production, energy conservation and material reuse. They offer K-12 educational opportunities, small business support and local produce box distribution (plantchicago.org).

Remixing the Narrative Market

The Remixing the Narrative Market, a project of Burst into Books, is located at 11001 S. Michigan Ave. and open select dates in June, July and August from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They are a nonprofit working to promote literacy, the arts and self-expression in children from six months to 18 years. The group offers family events, writing work shops, educational services, online workshops and more (burstintobooks.org/farmersmarket).

Pilsen Community Market

The Pilsen Community Market, 1800 S. Ashland Ave., is open Sundays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. With a Board composed entirely of minority members, PCM is an outgrowth of a community market established to connect local artisans, farmers and makers to their local consumers. Its focus is educating and advocating for local, healthy food sources and sustainability (pilsencommunitymarket.weebly.com).

KID-FRIENDLY MARKETS

Have kids in the house? Your local market is a great place for picky eaters to learn about eating right and having fun. These are our favorites for local neighborhood markets outside the city with lots for kids to do.

Park Ridge Farmers Market

Park Ridge Farmers Market, on 15 Prairie Ave. is open Saturdays 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and offers a veritable playpen of fun family and kids activities. On top of locally sourced fresh herbs, flowers, specialty foods, baked goods, seasonal fruits and veggies, this neighborhood market offers a fun kids activity tent, free Sprouts Kids Club sign-up and a music tent with free weekly live music (parkridge.us).

Riverside Farmers Market

A local family favorite, the Riverside Farmers Market at Centennial Plaza, 10 Pine Ave., is open every Wednesday from 2:30 to 7 p.m. The market, a gathering hub for community members of all shapes and sizes, offers weekly programming, including kids’ activities and live music. A potpourri of vendors serves up scrumptious mouth-watering dishes weekly and a roster of fun musicians is sure to keep kids’ toes tapping (riverside.il.us).

Batavia Farmers Market

The charming community of Batavia attracts a steady stream of visitors to their weekly farmers market on 160 First St., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12.m. In its 27th year, the Batavia market hosts the “Artisan Collective” with artists and crafters selling handmade items the third Saturday of each month. Of course, there’s a ton of family fun with live music and kids’ activities at The Kiwanis Club of Batavia tent (down-townbatavia.com/farmers-market).

Did we miss your neighborhood market? Working with a network of state and national organizations Chicago’s Farmers Market Collective maintains a lengthy and reliable list of quality area community-based farmers markets. Visit their site to find one near you. You can’t go wrong (chicagofarmersmarketcollective.org).