Chicago is unique because it’s diverse and segregated. Finding organic diversity isn’t hard but it’s not typically the default. Almost every Saturday in the summer (and some fall dates) I try to visit the outdoor 61st Street Farmers Market put on by Experimental Station. Launched in 2008, the market is intentionally on the border of Hyde Park and Woodlawn as a bridge to the neighborhoods.
Produce harvested at South Side urban agriculture projects, June strawberries from Michigan, and flavorful cheeses draw a huge intergenerational and racially diverse crowd. You’ll find yoga in the lawn, a children’s coloring station, live music and cooking demonstrations. More than a decade ago, I got a recipe for garam masala lentil soup from executive director Connie Spreen. I still use it. Vendors have seen our children grow up. New artisans bring delights and treats yearly. The market has introduced me to Kenyan lavender coffee, spicy salad mixes and French chicken pate. Knowing I’m supporting regional farmers when I fry bacon, bake blackberry cobbler and grill asparagus makes my meals even tastier.
Experimental Station is also the leader matching LINK, known as food stamp dollars, at Illinois farmers markets. As a mission driven organization, this program gets food to low-income families, which is doubly important when their neighborhoods lack full-service grocers.
Healthy accessible food and community meet up on the street here. No matter where I live, 61st Street is my home farmers market. My nine-year-old has made real life friends on the playground and the ice cream sellers know her favorite flavor. Recently, DJ and cultural worker Ayana Contreras spent a late morning sipping coffee under a tent, catching up and running into friends and colleagues.
Experimental Station is also a shape-shifting indoor space. During the winter, the market moves inside. Community dinners have been held in the rustic kitchen, a youth bicycle program operates in the building and public events have used the South Side space. Build Coffee is a business site with long lines, books and fresh bread.
See neighbors. Meet new friends. Support farmers for two blocks.
61st St Farmers Market, Experimental Station, 6100 S Blackstone Ave. Saturdays, 9am–2pm. Outdoor season runs through October 25; indoor market will run every Saturday through the end of the year, and every second Saturday January through April. 773-241-6044. experimentalstation.org/market