Evanston’s Only Weeknight Market

These incredible cheeses enhance any meal.

Iced, hot, and whole bean coffee from Songbird Coffee Roasters satisfies market goers.

Local musicians Just For Fun treat Ridgeville Market Shoppers to some ambience while they shop.

Pretty yarn.

Calling all Ewe Knitters! Join the knitting circle scheduled for the September 9th market, led by our vendor, Whimsical Acres. Featuring hand dyed and alpaca yarns.

You can sign-up for a fall class in Ridgeville’s Studio 908 at the Ridgeville tent. New classes include Vinyasa Yoga, Toddler Creative Movement, XZY Cardio Kickboxing, Hip Hop Condidtioning 101, and Rehab your Body Today.  For more information contact alisonwitt@sbcglobal.net.

This Week at Ridgeville…

Introducing THE TALKING FARM

Stop by their table to pick up a first round of produce from their new urban garden!

Michael from Heartland Cafe will be back with baked goods and cool drinks!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debi Lewis & Deborah Fausch will be back with folksy fiddle and banjo tunes!

Bring your knitting for a market knitting circle on the quilts laid out by the Ridgeville tent!

And of course, all of our farmers will be there with farm-fresh produce!

Ridgeville Kids!

 

One of the best things about our market is that we are situated in an outdoor environment that encourages shoppers to hang out and relax in the park, in addition to perusing the farmers’ tents. A group of families have even been packing picnic dinners to enjoy at the market, while their kids play at the adjacent playground, run around the ball courts or field, and enjoy the late afternoon sun.  This is exactly the community feel we wanted to establish at our market and we are thrilled its been working out!    

At the June 25th Market…

This week’s market saw the addition of new produce from our farmers.  Lyons Fruit Farm had cherries (!!!) that they say will be getting sweeter and sweeter over the next couple of weeks, as well as cherry tomatoes & baby eggplant.  Shady Hill Farm brought kohlrabi and mulberries.  Soon we’ll be seeing more tomatoes, potatoes, and beans.  

We also welcomed Heartland Cafe to Ridgeville.  Michael brought fresh coffee, cinnamon rolls, muffins and cookies, as well as cold sodas and juice — and he was a hit!  The baked goods provided dessert to the families picnicking by the playground and the cool beverages were in high demand in the hotness of the afternoon.  

The Recyclery of Evanston made their first appearance at the market this week, offering free tune-ups, adjustments, etc.  They’ll be returning the last Wednesday of each month, so be sure to ride your bicycle to the market on July 30, August 27, & September 24.   

*Farmer Rob from Montalbano Farms had a scheduling conflict with this week’s market and was unable to come.  He will be joining us again with his all-organic produce next week!

Bring Your Bicycle to the Market!

Starting today, The Recyclery will be at the market the last Wednesday of each month.  Bring your bicycle by for a free tune-up, oiling, etc.  Rain or shine!

What to look for this week…

From Rob at Montalbano (in addition to much of what he’s had the past two weeks):

• Seedlings
• Salad Mix
• Head Lettuce
• Cabbage

The First Market

The market’s opening day — though a bit chilly towards the end — was lovely and laid back.  Our three farmers each set up shop with the early summer’s offerings (such as the tiny and sweet strawberries from Shady Hill Farm, above), including:

Lyons Farm:                                                   

• asparagus
• rhubarb
• morel mushrooms
• hanging baskets of flower plants (cascading petunia)
• moss rose, morning glory, geranium, rosemary and tomato plants

Shady Hill Farm:

• strawberries
• butter crunch lettuce, spinach and a lettuce mix
• radishes
• turnips
• green onion

Montalbano Farms:

• tomatos
• garlic greens, spinach, and head lettuce
• oregano
• chives
• potted herbs & organic tomato seedlings
• worm castings

*Farmer Rob from Montalbano Farms

*Lyons Farm

One of the great things about having a market set in a park within a residential neighborhood is that the layout allows for kids to play around — or make bubbles — while their parents shop.  The farmers set up around a basket ball court, keeping the center space open for people to walk around, set up picnic blankets and lawn chairs, play hopscotch or dance to the live music.  Ridgeville Park also has a playground right next to the market space.  

More soon about our musicians on June 4, an upcoming special event, and what to expect at the June 11th market…

 

 

Opening Day!

This summer will see the second run of the Ridgeville Farmers’ Market in south Evanston.  Every Wednesday, June 4 through October 1, our farmers will set up market on the ball courts at the southeast corner of Ridgeville Park at 908 Seward, and will be open for business from 4 to 8 PM.  

Each week, a variety of locally-grown and organic vegetables and herbs from Montalbano Farms (Marseille, IL) and Shady Hill Farm (Groveland, IL), and fresh fruit from Lyons Fruit Farm (South Haven, MI) will be available at the market.  We will also be selling artisan breads  –  from baguettes and ciabatta to a hearty roasted garlic – from Red Hen Bread in Chicago. 

In creating a mid-week market, the Ridgeville Farmers’ Market hopes to make an environmentally sustainable lifestyle and connection to organic and locally-produced foods a realizable possibility for the community in south Evanston – as well as for Chicagoans from all over the city.  Ridgeville Park is within walking distance from the South Blvd. stop on the Purple Line CTA, as well as the Main St. Metra station.  The Recyclery of Evanston will be at the market on the last Wednesday of each month, offering free tune-ups and minor adjustments to those who travel via bicycle. 

Just as it is important to be aware of what we put into our bodies, we believe it is necessary to be connected to the community we exist in.  In addition to fresh produce, each market will feature a local musician, and we encourage people to hang out and enjoy a variety of baked goods and cool drinks from a local café as they shop.  Evanston’s own up-and-coming organic farm and learning center, The Talking Farm, will be at the market once a month sharing their progress – and ways people can get involved — with the community.  Other special events – including a bi-weekly knitting circle and a local non-profit day – will work to create a sense of place and community in this park tucked into a residential neighborhood.  

*Our poster was designed by Sarin Seesawat at Metallic Mutt Studio