The scent of fresh produce and baked goods wafted down Sunnyside Avenue and the street was filled with community conversations. The Uptown Farmers Market draws neighbors with local goods and an opportunity to come together as the seasons change.
The Uptown Farmers Market is held every Wednesday from May to November from 2:30 pm to 7 p.m. on Sunnyside Avenue between Magnolia Avenue and Beacon Street. On Oct. 2, 32 of the 41 annual vendors were at the market.
River Valley Ranch, a mushroom farm in Burlington, Wisconsin, has been a vendor since the beginning. They sell fresh mushrooms and mushroom-related items including pickled mushrooms, pasta sauces, salsas, tamales, burgers, butter and cheeses.
“Quite honestly the farmers market is what we really rely on as an income source,” said Angel, who uses the last name “Of Peace,” lives in Pilsen and works at farmers’ markets for River Valley Ranch. “If you love mushrooms, come hang out here.”
A stand down the block was buzzing with customers and a few bees. John Bailey Honey is based in Kankakee, Illinois, where Preston Bailey’s father has been keeping bees for over 50 years. In addition to honey, they sell beeswax candles, garlic, berries, beets, jams and jellies.
The Uptown Farmers Market is especially important to the Baileys because Preston Bailey has lived in the neighborhood for the past seven years and feels a connection to the community. “We are from an hour south of Chicago so that is the most important thing — servicing local honey to Chicago,” he said.
Stopping by her favorite vendor, Andrew’s Heirlooms, Uptown resident Annie Taylor purchased some purple and green heirloom tomatoes. She lives only a block away from the market and uses the opportunity to get outside even when she doesn’t need to buy anything. She also appreciates buying from local farmers instead of going to grocery stores to buy produce. “The market definitely brings the community together,” she said. “There are so many apartments and homes right here, so it is accessible to so many people.”