Farmers and community markets kick off the summer season on Thursday, May 11, at Daley Plaza and Sunday, May 14, at Maxwell Street Market
CHICAGO, 2017-Mar-17 — /Travel PR News/ — The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is pleased to announce a new program framework and name for Chicago City Markets presented by Country Financial®–uniting all of the City of Chicago-managed outdoor markets under one program, including Chicago’s longest running farmers market at Daley Plaza, the historic Maxwell Street Market and community markets in neighborhoods across Chicago. Across the city, Chicago City Markets sell fresh seasonal produce, flowers, prepared foods, unique Chicago-made products and, in the case of Maxwell Street Market, rare finds and retail merchandise. The markets will kick off the season on Thursday, May 11, at the Daley Plaza Market and Sunday, May 14, at the Maxwell Street Market. A complete list of city-run markets, along with dates and times are listed below and at chicagofarmersmarkets.us and maxwellstreetmarket.us.
“Chicago City Markets are farmers markets and more,” said Mark Kelly, Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. “Our markets provide residents with access to fresh and healthy food – and unique Chicago-made products and other merchandise – but they also bring communities together, many offering live music and other cultural activities.”
The official kick-off of the Chicago City Markets will take place at the Daley Plaza Market on Thursday, May 11, at 11:30am. Among the activities, COUNTRY Financial® will announce the winner of the 10th Annual Reusable Bag Design Contest, and will provide free, reusable bags to market goers. This year’s winning design from a Chicago Public Schools student will be based on the theme “Give, Grow and Be Green” and will be featured on thousands of reusable bags distributed throughout the season. Deadline to submit a design is 4pm CST on Thursday, April 6. Visit countryfarmersmarket.com for instructions on how to enter and official contest rules.
“We’re thrilled to be sponsoring our 11th opening day of the Chicago City Markets,” said Mike Fisher, Agency Vice President of Community Business Development at COUNTRY Financial. “The markets offer such a fun experience. It’s the best time of the year.”
Maxwell Street Market (800 S. Desplaines St.) offers an eclectic mix of merchandise—from tools to tires, plus fresh produce, furniture, clothing, rare finds and collectibles—and some of the best Mexican and Latin street food in Chicago.. Open year-round on Sundays, 7am–3pm, the Maxwell Street Market will kick off its summer season on Sunday, May 14. Programming details will be announced soon. Visit maxwellstreetmarket.us for more information.
Additional neighborhood Chicago City Markets take place in neighborhoods across the city from Roseland to Lincoln Square, with new locations this year in Austin and Bronzeville. Many markets serve communities with limited access to fresh produce and areas designated low-income, low-access by the
U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA). This year, all of the City of Chicago-managed market locations will accept LINK and will distribute double value coupons with every LINK purchase in a partnership with Experimental Station.
The City of Chicago-managed markets opening in May are the Daley Plaza Farmers Market at 50 W. Washington St. opening on Thursday, May 11; the Division Street Farmers Market at Division St. and Dearborn Pkwy. opening on Saturday, May 13 and the Federal Plaza Farmers Market at Adams St. and Dearborn Pkwy. opening on Tuesday, May 16. Most community markets open in June. Maxwell Street Market operates year-round on Sundays.
For additional information on Chicago City Markets’ downtown and community farmers markets, visit chicagofarmersmarkets.us and join us on Facebook at Chicago Farmers Markets. Vendor applications are available online and the deadline to apply is April 10. A schedule of all independently-run farmers markets happening throughout the city will be available later this spring.
For additional information about the historic Maxwell Street Market, visit maxwellstreetmarket.us and follow us on Facebook at Maxwell Street Market.
The Chicago City Markets presented by COUNTRY Financial® are produced by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and sponsored in part by 93XRT, CBS 2 Chicago, WLS 890 AM & 94.7FM, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the Chicago Tribune.
2017 Chicago City Markets
(City-run community and farmers markets)
Sundays
Maxwell Street Market
Desplaines St. & Taylor St.
Year-round; 7am–3pm
Bronzeville Market – New Location
47th St. & King Dr.
July 16–September 10; 8am–1pm
Tuesdays
Federal Plaza
Adams St. & Dearborn Pkwy.
May 16–October 31; 7am–3pm
Columbus Park
Congress Pkwy. & Central Ave.
July 11–September 12; 2–7pm
Lincoln Square
2301 W. Leland Ave.
June 6–October 31; 7am–1pm
North Lawndale Market
1420 S. Albany Ave.
August 29–October 31; 2:30–5:30pm
Wednesdays
La Follette Park
1333 N. Laramie Ave.
July 12–September 13; 2–7pm
Pullman
111th St. & Cottage Grove Ave.
July 5–October 25; 7am–1pm
Roseland Market
109th St. and Wentworth Ave.
August 30–November 1; 2:30–5:30pm
Thursdays
Daley Plaza
50 W. Washington St.
May 11–October 26; 7am–3pm
Austin Market – New Location
Chicago Ave. & Mayfield Ave.
July 13–September 14; 2–7pm
Saturdays
Division Street
Division St. & Dearborn Pkwy.
May 13–October 28; 7am–1pm
Englewood/Anchor House
76th St. & Racine Ave.
July 15–September 16; 8am–1pm
Lincoln Park
Armitage Ave. & Orchard St.
June 3–October 28; 7am–1pm
Printers Row
Dearborn St. & Polk St.
June 17–October 28; 7am–1pm
SOURCE: City of Chicago
MEDIA CONTACT
Mary May mary.may@cityofchicago.org, 312.744.0576
Christine Carrino christine.carrino@cityofchicago.org, 312.744.0573