Indoor farmer's market 11/20 in Evanston

Hi- Immanuel Lutheran Church will have their annual indoor farmer's market on 11/20 from 8:00am-1:00pm. The church is located at 616 Lake in Evanston, at the corner of Lake and Sherman. The church is located right next door to the Best Western. Nichols, Henry and Green Acres will be located outside, and River Valley Ranch mushrooms, Dongvillos fruit farm, a cheese monger, a flower vendor, and a meat vendor will be selling in the basement of the church. There are probably a few other vendors I am forgetting right now. The church also sells some things such as baked goods and craft items. Hope to see everyone there. Hope this helps, Nancy

They're doing it again this Saturday.

Hi- I just got an email from Henry, and he is offering a special on roots tomorrow. All his roots are $2 a pound, but any amount over 2 pounds is 50% off. If you buy 2 pounds of carrots, your total cost will be $4, but if you buy 3 pounds of carrots, your cost will only be $5 total. Henry is bringing tons of lettuce, assorted greens, root veggies, chinese cabbage, potatoes, and many other items. Nichols should have lots of their fantastic Italian garlic too. At the market two weeks ago, they were selling it for 3 heads for $2. I hope to see lots of people there. Hope this helps, Nancy

This market will again take place this Saturday, November 19, 2011, as noted here.

Does anyone have an update on the Oak Street Market? Were they able to find a new home? I was so hoping it would become a welcome indoor market addition to Evanston.

Hi- I am going to the market at Emmanuel Lutheran this Saturday, and I will ask Henry Brockman about the status of it. It sounded like they were definitely looking for another site in Evanston. I was sorry when the Oak Street Market site fell through, because I only live two blocks from there.

BTW- I am on Henry Brockman's email list, and I should get an email from him this evening, telling me what he is bringing this Saturday. I am sure that he will have lots of wonderful mesclun as well as an assortment of greens, brussel sprouts, turnips, parsnips, carrots, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and winter squash. Henry's wife is Japanese, and so he raises a lot of Asian vegetables on his farm. Henry has the best mesclan at the Evanston farmer's market.

Hope this helps, Nancy

proon wrote:I was so hoping it would become a welcome indoor market addition to Evanston.

Looks like you're getting your wish. From today's Tribune:

Indoor farmers’ market coming to Evanston

Hi- Two of my favorite growers, Lloyd Nichols and Henry Brockman will be here tomorrow. I just got an email from Henry last night, and he said that his truck is going to be loaded with greens, various roots, sweetpotatoes, lettuce, mesclun, brussel sprouts, garlic, and chickweed.

Henry says that the chickweed has a taste similar to mache, and I believe somebody here was looking for mache. Hope this helps, Nancy

Thanks for the info, everyone! Great news.

Hi- I just wanted to remind people that the new Evanston winter farmer's market opens for the first time tomorrow 12/3 from 9:00am-1:00pm. It will be located at the Evanston Ecology Center on McCormick Boulevard between Green Bay and Golf Road. There is a parking lot next to the Ecology Center.

For those people who are fans of Henry Brockman, he will be there tomorrow, with lots of assorted greens and root vegetables. He warned people in his email, that it is supposed to get in the 20's next week, so this might be the last week he has tons of stuff. BTW- His mesclun is wonderful. He charges $3 for a fairly large bag of it,and all his stuff is organic, but he is not certified anymore. He used to be certified organic, but he decided that it was not worth all the paperwork. Hope this helps, Nancy

Got an email from Crystal this week saying that C&D Farms is participating in this as well.

Hi- Did anyone make it to the winter farmer's market at the Ecological Center in Evanston yesterday? I had two prior commitments, so I was not able to go there. I will try to make it this Saturday though. I've told a lot of my Evanston friends about it, and most of them did not know it was going on. I think this needs more publicity. Thanks, Nancy

Did anyone make it to the winter farmer's market at the Ecological Center in Evanston yesterday?

Yes. . .damn shame that the space at the former Oak St. Market fell through, as this venue is just too small to accommodate the area that the vendors need to showcase their wares, to the point that Henry's Farm actually moved outside to the too-small patio (covered, but cold and drippy). Hard to shop, and there is a serious bottleneck in the hallway leading to the main room, as vendors are set up there, as well. Better than nothing, for sure, and I was glad to see that vendors not at any of the Evanston markets are represented (Pasta Puttana and Salted Caramel, to name two), but we'll have to see how things shakes out, as its current layout reminded me of trying to circulate at a stagnant cocktail party.

Perhaps as the produce inventory wanes, the space issues will work themselves out. Hope so. It has potential - and it's a long drive to Madison at this time of year.

Hi- I was afraid that the space was going to be too small. Perhaps one of the churches such as Lake Street, would have worked out better, or even the levy center perhaps. I am not sure how many more weeks Henry is going to be there. He told me that he was talking about maybe two times this month. Faith in Place is doing a farmer's market in Andersonville on 12/11 too. They seem to do all of their farmer's markets at churches. Well at least this is better than nothing. Thanks, Nancy

Hi- I finally made it to the indoor market at the ecology center. Orianna was there today, selling her wonderful Asian pears. All I ended up buying was a box of her Asian pears, and a pound of mushrooms from River Valley. I was going to get some cider, but the person in charge told me that Wayne Miller was unable to make it today. I know the family really well, and they are all super nice.

I asked Orianna if she was going to be there next week, and she said that it depends if there is a spot available for her. Apparently things got rearranged in the ecology center, after the first week of the market, and you can maneuver better around there. I did not get there until noon though, and I could she that if somebody came at 9:00, there might not be enough parking.

Nichols were there this week, and I love them, but some of the people selling there were out of my price range. They had somebody there selling sorbet for $8 a pint, and they had somebody there selling coffee for $10 for a 10 ounce bag, or $3 a cup. Has anybody bought the coffee there? Is it worth the extra price?

I'll probably return there to get some more Asian pears and mushrooms, as well as some cider, and some produce from Nichols. Hope this helps, Nancy

I was there about 11-ish and thought it to be a tough venue for vendors and patrons alike because of the small space. Although I though the adjacent parking was certainly nice to have, if the vendors all park in that lot, it could fill quickly.
I also thought the prices were a bit high, but spent a lot of money to be supportive of continuation of indoor markets. I do not know the vendors by name, however I bought a couple loaves of bread that I thought were divine from a gentleman. He does not have a website, just an e-mail address. I will have to get the wrapping back for the bread from my neighbor (I share!) to identify him, but his power bread certainly will bring me back for another go-round. This is as close as an indoor market has ever been to my home, so I am excited it was able to put together.

Over the winter break, I explored the Logan Square indoor market, and found it to be well worth the trip and parking. I am sure all experienced market-goers are familiar with that venue, but I wanted to give it a shout-out too.

BTW, as mentioned above - is there an indoor market in Madison? Is it worth the trip up?
Thanks!

BTW, as mentioned above - is there an indoor market in Madison? Is it worth the trip up?

Ask, Jilter, and ye shall receive!

Thank you for the above link.

I went back to the Evanston market this week, and was so happy I did. They had lit a fire in the fireplace, and everyone in there was toasty and happy - vendors and patrons alike.
Picked up some more power bread (addictive) and a 10-grain loaf (deli sh) that I went for. Also bought some "foodie" bites, flavored honey, vegan chocolate chip cookies (great,) carrots, purple carrots, sweet potatoes, and some cranberry pistachio granola that is heavenly.
I am not affiliated with any of the sellers. I am just resolved to make it a habit to frequent and spread some of our spending around locally. I love all that I bought and I feel good buying it as well.
If you live far north or find yourself near there on a Saturday - check it out - plenty of parking...very nice feel.

Hi- They are doing another indoor farmer's market this Saturday 11/17 at Immanuel Lutheran church, 616 Lake Street in Evanston from 8:00am-1:00pm. There is parking in the lot next to the Best Western/ They got rid of the meters in that lot a few years ago, and you have to go to a centralized meter location similar to what they have in Chicago to avoid getting a ticket. Last year I had problems putting in money for my parking spot, and I finally gave up, and did not get a ticket when I came back 45 minutes later.

I don't know how many of the Michigan growers are going to be there this year, due to the small apple crop this year. There should still be lots of veggies there though. Both Nichols and Henry are going to be there with lots of greens, roots, potatoes, brussel sprouts, and other frost hardy veggies. River Valley Ranch will also be there with mushrooms I am sure. It seems like they are at all the winter markets. Last year I believe there were two Michigan growers there.

The indoor farmer's market is also going to take place again at the ecology center on McCormick in Evanston. That market begins on 12/1.
Hope this helps, Nancy

Hi- I just checked my email, and Henry Brockman will have a bag sale again at the market tomorrow. He had one at the final regular Evanston market on November 3. You could fill a bag with roots. It varied according to what the root was. Turnips, beets and rutabagas were $5 a bag, and parsnips were $7.50 a bag, and carrots were $10 a bag. There were some other things such as potatoes included in the bag sale too. The turnips and beets keep for several months, and the Japanese turnips are to die for.I don't know why the carrots were so much more expensive. Henry will also be selling lettuce, mesclan and other assorted greens. Henry is also celebrating his 20th year in business, and is having a free table tomorrow. If you spend $20 at his stand, you get one free item, and if you spend $40 you get to pick two free items.

Henry will not be at any of the winter markets at the ecology center this winter, and this will be the last time to get his veggies until next spring. The market tomorrow does not open up until 8:00am, and some of the people that live near the church have called the police in previous years because of noise concerns, so be forewarned.

Henry is also certified organic again for the first time since the year 2000. He has always been organic, but he felt that most of his customers knew that, and he did not feel the need to remain certified.

There will be lots of other farmers there tomorrow too, including Nichols and River Valley ranch mushrooms.. I hope to see lots of people out there from 8:00am-1:00pm. Hope this helps, Nancy

Hi- This is just a reminder that the Evanston indoor winter farmer's market is set to begin tomorrow, 12/1 at the Evanston Ecology center, 2024 McCormick Boulevard in Evanston. I just got an email from Henry Brockman, and he has decided to show up after all tomorrow. He is bring lots of roots and some greens. He will be set up by 8:30am. This is probably going to be the only winter market that Henry will be attending. I assume that Nichols are going to be there again this year. I hope to see lots of people there tomorrow.
Thanks, Nancy

Nichols will not be there.

. . . But Green Acres will.

This is just to let you know that the Indoor Farmer's Market is taking place again this Saturday 11/23 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Evanston starting at 8:00am. I just got an email from Henry, and he is having bag specials this Saturday. 10 pound and 4 pound bags of carrots, beets, japanese turnips and other roots. He is also going to have brussel sprous butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and lots of greens. Hope this helps, Nancy

Thanks for the reminder.

NFriday wrote:This is just to let you know that the Indoor Farmer's Market is taking place again this Saturday 11/23 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Evanston starting at 8:00am. I just got an email from Henry, and he is having bag specials this Saturday. 10 pound and 4 pound bags of carrots, beets, japanese turnips and other roots. He is also going to have brussel sprous butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and lots of greens. Hope this helps, Nancy

Thanks for the reminder-- Heartland Meats will also be there-- we're picking up our winter beef order, can't wait to make some oxtail soup.

What a nice homey event that is. And I'm not even Lutheran.

I wasn't there that long, but I was so cold when I was done. I felt for the people working the outside stands!

You should have heeded the "lovely soup" signs.

bw77 wrote:You should have heeded the "lovely soup" signs.

Alas, I was on a time crunch. Next time...