I got the latest email from Henry's sister listing what Henry is bringing to market this Saturday. He is going to have a pesto special. If you tell him that you want to buy some basil to make pesto, he will give you a deal. The more basil you buy, the cheaper it will be per bunch. Apparently he is bringing lots of it. He is also having a 2 for one sale on bunches of onions. Last Saturday Henry brought lots of lettuce, but it was not mentioned in the email, and so he still had lots left at 11:30.

Henry's sister said in the email she sent for this Saturday's market, that Henry is selling a lot less veggies right now than he did in 2007 because people aren't cooking, and a lot of people visit the farmer's market strictly to socialize instead of to buy veggies.

I was glad to see the students from Northwestern that all play different versions of the sax back today. They were located underneath this overhang there since it was sprinkling when I got there today. They were playing the William Tell Overture when I got there. There were not tons of customers today, but I am sure that is partly due to the rain. After reading about the 3,000 McDonald's restaurants that had to pull all of their salads from their menu, it makes me glad that I don't buy shipped in lettuce.

I just got the email from Henry's sister about what he is bringing to market, and he is going to have tons of melons. Most of his melons are ripening all at once. He is also going to have some really nice lettuce and the first of the Roma tomatoes, as well as lots of basil. He is going to be running a basil special again. If you buy 4 bunches of basil, you get a 5th bunch for free.

Did anybody buy any of the Desiree peaches that at least two different growers were selling last Saturday? It is a new variety that comes from Rutgers. I was not crazy about the peaches, but the season is still early, and nothing is going to taste as good as a red haven which should be coming in about two weeks. Peaches are late this year. The peaches at the market this Saturday should be better than what was there last Saturday though, and they are still better than anything you would get in the grocery store.

I did not get to the market until 11:30 this morning, and it was still crazy busy. All Henry had left in the way of melons were about five split ones he was selling for half price. When I went back 15 minutes to get one they were all gone. I got one of the last of the bags of lettuce at Henry's. I was going to get 2 pints of blueberries at Jon First's stand, because they are really good, and he has the cheapest blueberries, and he was out. I ended up getting some peaches from him. I finally ended up getting two pints of blueberries from seedlings, which were 2/$9, and a pint of apricots. I also got some corn and a bunch of Japanese turnips at Nichol's.

Did anybody get anything from the Foster Street gardens which is a project of Family Focus? They did not have any prices posted, and some of their veggies looked really wilted. I finally asked as I was getting ready to leave how much their Swiss chard was. She said $2. When I decided not to buy it, she thought it was because I was cheap, and she offered to weigh it for me. I told her I did not need anything else. If they would have posted prices, I might have bought something from them when I first got there. I assume the market was crazy busy because of the nice weather. I just wish people would go there when the weather is not so nice too. Hope this helps, Nancy

NFriday wrote:I did not get to the market until 11:30 this morning, and it was still crazy busy. All Henry had left in the way of melons were about five split ones he was selling for half price.

I was there about the same time; Henry said it was the last week for huitlacoche. So I got one ear.

Hi- I was at the market around 11:30 again, and because it was so hot, there weren't nearly as many people there today, and Henry had tons of melons today. I tried one of his melons and it was okay, but I ended up getting a tropical melon from Nichols for $3 instead.

I was buying corn at Jon First's stand, and while I was trying to decide which six ears I wanted, another person came up to bulk box it was sitting in, and took a look at the price, which was 2/$1 or $5 a dozen, and wanted to know why it was so expensive, and I explained to him about how lost leaders work, and when the stores were selling corn really cheap, they were losing money. He then told me he could get it for ten cents an ear, and I told him nobody was selling it in Evanston that cheap. He then mentioned Jerry's. I said I hate Jerry's, and told him why. He loves the place and drives right by there all the time, which I don't. I explained how Jerry's works, and they only sell stuff they can get a deal on. I told him that Jon's corn would be lots better than any corn at Jerry's. He reluctantly decided to get 6 ears of corn. Hope this helps, Nancy

NFriday wrote:I told him that Jon's corn would be lots better than any corn at Jerry's. He reluctantly decided to get 6 ears of corn. Hope this helps, Nancy

Frankly I am surprised he listened as it seems his mind was made up. Sounds as if you were patient, polite and persuasive, nice!

Corn for me from the Saturday Morton Grove Farmer's market, was going to go to the Evanston market but it was already hot as Hades and I was not looking forward to parking in the lot, even if free for the first hour, and walking three or four flights of hot enclosed concrete interior stairs. Morton Grove is considerably smaller, but the corn was good, people friendly and free close-in parking same lot as market.

Though I've been to the Evanston Farmers market a few times this year, I go just as often to the Sunday Skokie market, which is in the middle, size wise, of Evanston / Morton Grove and easier in/out.

I am not sure if he bought anything else at the market other than the corn. I guarantee you that the corn is going to be more than ten cents next week at Jerry's. Usually people that are cheap like that take a look at all the expensive stuff, and decide they cannot afford to shop there. Also at First's I got five eggplant for $1, and I got 3 huge patty pan squash for $1 at the Talking Farm stall. While I was picking out my eggplant another person looked at the eggplant and thought it was zucchini. I told her it was eggplant, but it was shaped different than most eggplant. I then told her you could use it in ratatouille or eggplant Parmesan. She did not buy any, but bought some corn.

I have gone to the Skokie market on Sundays, but I prefer Glenwoods market instead. They have some organic growers, and the Japanese woman who raises Asian pears. sells there. Today I walked to the ATM machine at my bank, and then I walked to the farmer's market. I thought I was going to die walking home. It normally takes me under 15 minutes to walk home, but I had to stop for a few minutes to rest, and I had my hands full which did not help matters.

I visited the Facebook page of the Evanston's farmers market last week, and I saw a picture Gary posted of his radishes that he bought there.

If you want lettuce get there early. It is supposed to be nice tomorrow, and so that means the market is going to be packed. Henry has a small amount of lettuce, but he is also bringing up lots of bags of baby beet, turnip and radish greens, which he says you can use in salads. He is also bringing up a new to him potato variety that has purple skin and is supposed to be more nutritious, and have a fantastic flavor. It is named after somebody named Peter Wilcox.

There should be lots of red haven peaches tomorrow, which is the most common variety grown in Michigan, and is one of the best ones. It is excellent for freezing and canning and making jam. Most of the peach growers will give you a sample, and I know that Keoningshof's and Gast's put samples out.

Jon First always has some veggies for 5/$1. Last Saturday he had cukes, hot peppers and eggplant 5/$1. Hope this helps, Nancy

Here is my annual question: Is there that mid-week pop-up farm stand in front of the YMCA on Grove street this year? If so, what day of the week/time does it pop up? Thanks very much! ---Joy

Joy wrote:Here is my annual question: Is there that mid-week pop-up farm stand in front of the YMCA on Grove street this year? If so, what day of the week/time does it pop up? Thanks very much! ---Joy

According to the Tribune farmers market guide, it’s Tuesday’s from 7am to 2pm.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct ... story.html

Hi Joy- You can't go to any of the Sunday markets such as Skokie or Glenwood? I assume you can not go to the Saturday market at Glenview? There is also a new market that takes place on Wednesday evenings at Northfield. Here is a link to the Northfield market.

http://chamber.winnetkanorthfieldchambe ... 2018-10769

All of these markets would have more to choose from than the market at the Y which only has one person selling. There is also a market at Ridgeville in South Evanston that starts at 3:00 on Wednesdays, but the only person selling fruit there is the same person that sells at the Y. Hope this helps, Nancy

Thanks, Darren72! I could not find the info on the Evanston website.

Yeah, Nancy, Farmers' markets can be fun but on a regular basis, summer weekends are too busy for chasing down vegetables. And as I have said, the three things that really benefit from being bought from the farmers are tomatoes, corn and peaches, all of which are available on a quiet side street with available parking on a weekday morning! Ten minutes in and out. Who can resist that?

G Wiv wrote:the Evanston market but it was already hot as Hades and I was not looking forward to parking in the lot, even if free for the first hour, and walking three or four flights of hot enclosed concrete interior stairs.

The initial entrance takes you up to level three. If you keep going, you'll get down to level two, which has its own one-flight staircase. Still hot enclosed concrete, though.

Joy the farmer's market on Wednesday evenings in Northfield also includes music, but both this market and the one at the Y only last through the end of August. I think the one at the Y used to run on Wednesdays. I live in the neighborhood, and I might go there on Tuesday to see if it is the same farmer, or somebody different. The farmer they originally had there I loved. I would go there on Wednesday when Jon First's daughter was there and get some corn. I love his corn, but then Lyon's took it over, and they are okay, but they don't raise their own corn. They buy it from somebody else, and it was okay, but not great. I am fussy about my corn and peaches growing up on a farm.

Hi- I just visited the market over at the Y, and it is Lyon's. They do not have corn. They do not grow it, and the two women working there said they do not have room on the truck for it. They do have tomatoes, but just conventional ones, and I did not look to see how much they were. They have both beefsteak and red cherry tomatoes. They also have green beans, apricots, sweet cherries, blueberries, plums, and peaches. I was tempted to buy some blueberries, because I tried one and they were better than what I bought on Saturday and paid 2/$10 for. Their blueberries are only $3 a pint or $5 a quart which is the same price as Jewel. They also had Starfire peaches $6 a quart or 2 quarts for $11. Starfire is one of the varieties my Sister in Michigan bred, and they should be really good.

When I expressed surprise that they still had sweet cherries, I asked if they were from Northern Michigan, and they said they were from South Haven, which means they have been sitting in a cooler for three weeks. The same thing with the apricots. I told them that I grew up on a cherry farm, and I knew those cherries had to be old.

The market is right in front of the McGaw YMCA on Grove. I think they are open until 1. If you want to go, I would get the blueberries or peaches, and definitely skip the cherries. I ended up not getting anything because I already had blueberries and peaches, and I was really looking for corn. Hope this helps, Nancy

We bought Red Haven peaches from one of vendors this past Saturday. Can't remember which one -- middle of one of the interior rows. Flavor was good, but these peaches rapidly went downhill. This has happened other times I've bought peaches at the Evanston market from various vendors. That is one reason I've been really happy with the Georgia peach truck. They have been packed with care (less bruising) and haven't started rotting as fast. We probably had to cut away at least of third of $15 in Red Havens from Saturday.

I get most of my peaches from Jon First, or Kenongshof's or occasionally Seedlings. All of them have good peaches, and Koeningshof's sort out their extra ripe peaches, and sell them for less money. Koeningshof's farm is called K & K Farms. They are right at the very end of one of the rows, and they also have 50 acres of raspberries on their farm, and so they sell more raspberries there than all the other farmer's combined. You probably bought the peaches from Lyon's or the farmer from Berrien Springs, and they would not be my first choice for peaches. I bought red havens from Jon Saturday, and I haven't had to cut away any of the peaches. They were not the best tasting Red Haven peaches I have ever had. I am not 100% sure they were red havens though. One of his Mexicans waited on me, and his English is not great. The peaches I bought from Keoningshof's too the week before held up just fine too.

The parking garage at the Evanston downtown market has an elevator in the NE corner. If you circle past the densely-occupied lower floors, you will find plenty of spaces on an upper floor to park close to this elevator.

Hope this helps.

jimd wrote:The parking garage at the Evanston downtown market has an elevator in the NE corner. If you circle past the densely-occupied lower floors, you will find plenty of spaces on an upper floor to park close to this elevator.

Hope this helps.

I wish it were easier to actually get to the upper floors. I don't mind walking down stairs but with so many people pausing, looking for parking, and actually parking on lower levels, it can be maddening to get past the ramp traffic. That's why I usually forego the parking garage and park on the street north of Emerson.

gastro gnome wrote:I wish it were easier to actually get to the upper floors. I don't mind walking down stairs but with so many people pausing, looking for parking, and actually parking on lower levels, it can be maddening to get past the ramp traffic. That's why I usually forego the parking garage and park on the street north of Emerson.

I agree. I've only parked in the lot once. It's worth the few quarters for me to park just east of the tracks on Benson.

To the person that bought the red haven peaches that were not in great shape, I figured out that you bought them from Ed from Berrien Springs. I noticed he had a bag of peaches for sale today for $15. Once he was the only person that had peaches left by the time I got to the market. It was towards the end of the peach season. I asked somebody there what kind of peaches they were, and they said red haven. I said no way could they be red haven. The farmer came over and interceded, and I told him who I was, and he told me they were my sister's Fayettes, but the sign said they were red haven. I bought some white peaches from Koeningshof's today.

I was finally able to get some cheap heirloom tomatoes today. Henry had some #2's for $3.50 a quart, and I got to pick them out, and as I was leaving the market, I noticed that Kennikeck's had some #2's marked down to $1 a pound, and so I got a pound and a half from them. I am going to make a batch of salsa. I have lots of green tomatoes in my garden, and in another week, I should have lots of them to pick. I asked Jon First if he was still growing heirloom tomatoes, and he said yes, but just not nearly as many because they are a pain in the butt to grow.

Hi- It looks like it has been a month since I have posted about the farmer's market here. Tomorrow should be the last market you can get decent peaches. I bought some late in the season last year when only one person was selling peaches. The should have told me not to buy them. They were not that great. It turned out the farmer that sold them bought them from my sister. There were an experimental variety she bred, and she did not care for them so she never applied for a patent for them. She only had a few trees, and decided that they were not good enough to sell at her fruit stand, and so she sold them to the farmer I bought them from.

Keoningshof's should have some red raspberries tomorrow, but get there early if you want some. Henry is bringing more lettuce tomorrow, but you should also get there early to buy it. I am not sure if he is bringing any mesclun. Henry is also bringing lots of greens including Ethiopian and Russian kale, as well as several different kinds of bok choi. Henry is also going to be bringing some sweet corn. He says the ears are on the small side due to the lack of rain, and Henry does not grow supersweet corn, and so it must get used up right away. Henry's Sister is also coming tomorrow, and is bringing lots of dried herbs and some goat soap. She does not have a lot of goat soap though.

If anybody wants cheaper heirloom tomatoes, Kennibeck's mark them down right before the market closes. Last week they marked down all their heirlooms to $2 a pound, and they marked their #2 tomatoes down to $1 a pound. They have wonderful tomatoes.

I usually buy corn from Jon First or Nichols's, but Jon is done with corn for the year I think, and I have been getting it from Nichol's, but the corn I got last week was really subpar. I am going to have to look at it more carefully tomorrow, and see if it is worth buying.

The market is having their annual fundraiser again tomorrow from 10:00-12:00. There are going to be some professional chefs using some of the produce available at the market to make dishes that they then sell. It is supposed to be nice weather tomorrow, and so I hope to see lots of people there. Hope this helps, Nancy

I got the email that tells people what Henry is bringing to market on Saturday. This is the last week he is going to have cukes, but it sounds like he should have plenty of lettuce. He is also bringing lots of Bok Choi, including a new variety called Lady Murasaki. For anybody that can figure out the pun in the name, Henry will give them a free bag of Lady Murasaki. It is a red Bok Choi. Here is a link to a description of the plant.

https://www.fedcoseeds.com/seeds/search?item=3216
Apparently Murasaki is the Japanese name for purple.

There are frost warnings for this evening for the western counties.

Regards,
Cathy2

Did anyone get any of the Lady Murasaki bok choy from Henry today? I got some red Japanese turnips today instead, and some edamame and a bag of mesclun. I was told that Nichols are done with tomatoes. They got too much rain, and the quality deteriorated because of that. They did not have any red peppers this week, and I asked if they were done with them too, and Todd told me they should have some more next week, but I am not sure how many they are going to have. I buy a bunch of red peppers when they have they really cheap, and I take them home and cut them up and freeze them. Another grower from near Rockford told me that it got down to 35 last night, and so it sounds like their tomatoes are about done for the year too

Keoningshof's told me that they should have more peaches next week, but then that is going to be about it. They still had plenty of raspberries when I got there at 11:30. I got s quarter peck of #2 peaches from them for $2, and then I was looking at somebody's colored cauliflower, and the farmer who is friends with my sister, saw me, and told me he was giving me a $15 container of peaches, and asked if I wanted more, and I suspect he got them from my sister. The peaches he has left at the end of the day he donates to Hillside food bank. They were doing pick up while I was there. Since I have so many peaches I might make some peach cobbler this weekend.

I also got a quart of Stanley plums from Morlock's. After I bought them I noticed that they were selling pecks of Stanley's for $15. Hope this helps, Nancy

Hi- Tomorrow the next to last outdoor market takes place. There is going to be a market on November 17 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, where many of the growers will be. Henry is bringing is heirloom corn meal tomorrow. I bought some last year, and it was fantastic. Henry is also bringing lots of greens, and the last of his peppers. He is also running a special on his potatoes. His Sister Teresa is also coming tomorrow, and bringing goat soap, apples Asian pears, dried herbs and some jam.

Nichols should have some spinach tomorrow. The last time I was at the market two weeks ago, Nichols had all of their garlic marked down to $1 a head. Their garlic is wonderful. I bought 10 heads of the hard neck garlic. It keeps better. Henry also has good garlic. BTW- Jewel has garlic on sale for $.15 a head right now. I was in there last night, and looked at it, but I suspect it is from China, and so I will pass. It did not list the country of origin. They also had huge beets on sale for $.5 a head, as well as green and purple brussel sprouts.

K and K Farms should still have raspberries tomorrow, and Jon First might have a few tomatoes. There will be lots of apples, cider, and brussel sprouts tomorrow. Hope this helps, Nancy

Just a post to thank you, Nancy, for all your fantastic reporting this past season and always. --Joy

Seconded. These reports are helpful. Thank you.

Hi- The pre Thanksgiving farmer's market is going to take place at Immanuel Lutheran church tomorrow 11/17 from 8:00am to 1:00 pm. I know it is going to be cold, but there aare going to be at least four farmers outside including Nichols, Henry, Morlocks, and Green Acres, and lots more people inside. They are not allowed to start setting up until 7:00. Apparently some people that live in the neighborhood have called the police when this happens. They can not start selling until 8:00 either.

Henry reports that the last two markets of the regular season were the largest markets in terms of sales for the whole season. Henry also reports that he has gotten lots of orders for bulk sales for the upcoming market. He says that business has finally picked up lately to where it was five years ago. Henry is going to have some lettuce that he salvaged before the weather took a dive a few weeks ago, as well as lots of kale swiss chard and bok choy. If you want lettuce, you should get there early. He is also going to have some more corn meal, the last of the garlic, lots of sweet potatoes, burdock , carrots and some kennebec potatoes. All the rest of the potatoes were sold out in the bulk sales as well as the beets. The corn meal is wonderful.

I assume that several people there will have lots of brussel sprouts for sale too, and Nichols should have lots of greens, apples, leeks, garlic and potatoes. The indoor market at Immanuel is going to take place twice a month through April. Parking for the farmer's market is available on Sherman next to the Holiday Inn, which is a city lot. Hope this helps, Nancy