A new indoor farmer and artisan food market is scheduled to open in Evanston next month.
Market sessions will be held at the Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays from Dec. 3 through April 28, except for Christmase Eve and New Years Eve.
Organizer Dennis Clarkson says the market will extend the selling season for local fresh produce, and provide local food artisans with a place to sell their products during the winter months.
When winter comes it is difficult for farmers in this part of the country to grow crops. That is why this market combines food artisans with farmers. In addition, some farmers give added value to their produce by producing sauces, pickling products, soups and salsas for sale.
The fresh produce that will be available from farmers will include root vegetables, lettuces, spinach, kales, herbs, apples and pears. But this market won’t be limited to produce. Another farmer sells pork, beef, chicken, eggs, lamb & goat that are natural free range meats. There is a farmer that will have frozen blueberries and another will sell apple cider and fruit preserves.
Cheese, artisan breads, honey, pastries, coffee, chocolate sauces and ice cream all produced locally will also be for sale. Goat milk soaps and organic herb teas round out the selection.
Vendors will include Henry’s Farm, Tiny Greens, Sunnydale Farm, Tomato Mountain, River Valley Ranch, Brunkow Cheese, Michigan Blueberries, C & D Family Farms, Laura’s Mentoring Gardens, Patz Honey, Defloured, Pasta Puttana, Passion House Coffee, Ruth & Phil’s Ice Cream, Crust & Crumb, De La Rue Patisserie and Foodie Bites.