The 16th season of the annual Northbrook Farmers Market launched with 20 vendors amid June 19 sunny weather nearing 90 degrees in downtown Northbrook at the corner of Cherry Lane and Meadow Road.
An estimated 25,000 people are expected to attend the market season on Wednesdays through Oct. 9 in the Meadow Plaza parking lot from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Northbrook Farmers Market is operated by the Northbrook Farmers Market Association, an all-volunteer, tax-exempt, nonprofit organization.
Dale Duda of Northbrook, market founder, market manager and association president, said, “People come to the farmers market not just to find great food, because we have great food, but it’s to feel that they’re welcomed, which we welcome them, and they are part of this community.
“We’re part of this community, we want people to come’” Duda said. “A lot of people tell me it’s their ‘Happy Place,’ they come here because they always know somebody if you don’t know somebody, we introduce you because we talk to you because that’s how we are.
“This is way more,” Duda said. “It’s not just food.”
The market opened officially with a ribbon and watermelon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Musician Steve Zane of Northbrook returned as the headliner.
“It’s just such a fun environment,” Zane said. “I just love to be here.”
Free watermelon slices were courtesy of Sunset Foods of Northbrook which donated 16 watermelons in honor of the market’s 16-year history.
Of the market tradition, “It’s absolutely fabulous,” said Ron Bernardi, ceremony emcee and Sunset Foods community service representative. “It’s bringing the community together.”
The opener itinerary featured several speakers including Janie Maxwell, executive director of ILFMA, the Illinois Farmers Market Association, who said nearly 300 farmers markets operate across Illinois.
“Where else do you get the diversity of food that was raised for taste and nutrition and not for travel?’ Maxwell said.
Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton of Glenview grew up on a farm in downstate Macon where crops included soybeans and corn.
“This (local farmers markets) is always near and dear to my heart because we grew our own produce and we milked our own cows,” Britton said. “Wagner Farm in Glenview…that’s what my family’s farm looked like.”
Of farmers and, “people who are here growing local produce, I think it’s incredibly important we support them,” Britton said.
Skip and Merle Shein of Glenview attended with their granddaughter Aria, 2, on Merle Shein’s birthday.
“It’s the best,” Merle Shein said of spending time with Aria.
“Today is my birthday and I couldn’t have a better present than babysitting,” Merle Shein added with a smile.
Northbrook Farmers Market volunteers partner with the Northfield Township Food Pantry, based in Glenview, to collect fresh fruits and vegetables at the end of market day for pantry clients.
Shiva Mohsenzadeh of Glenview, Northfield Township supervisor, also president of the Northfield Township Food Pantry, said in May, approximately 850 families were served among 1,175 registered households in Northbrook, Glenview and Northfield.
Summer demand is typically higher among families with children out of school having no access to free or reduced school meals.
Even, “for a wealthy community like Glenview, Northbrook, Northfield, there is hunger everywhere,” Mohsenzadeh said.
Northbrook Village President Kathryn L. Ciesla said to the ceremony audience about Juneteenth, the federal holiday on June 19, “Let’s take a moment to think about the farthest corners of the nation learning that slavery is over.”
To Pioneer Press, Ciesla elaborated on the importance of Juneteenth locally and globally.
“It’s not just about us, it’s about the whole community, we’ve learned through so many things, 9/11 (2001) and wars and climate issues, that we need to think globally,” Ciesla said.
“So I think being at the farmers market and really thinking about global issues is critical and well placed.”
Ciesla greeted many neighbors warmly at a festive farmer’s market local opener.
“It is like a party,” Ciesla said. “It’s so great.”
New vendor Fox Valley Garlic of Crystal Lake sold varieties of locally made garlic offerings to customers including Larry Gabler of Hampshire who bought a garlic and onion product.
“We love it,” Gabler said of the market. “It’s easy to get around.”
Stephen Glatstein of Crystal Lake staffed the Fox Valley Garlic booth in a business owned by a sister and brother-in-law. On June 19, Fox Valley Garlic offered spreads and packaged garlic grinders with Crystal Lake-grown garlic.
“We are happy to be here,” Glatstein said.
Fresh garlic was just starting to be harvested.
“I’d say maybe two weeks or so, there will be the fresh garlic that we’ll be able to sell,” Glatstein said.
New to Northbrook and the Northbrook Farmers Market was patron Katy Butler who brought child Maeve Butler, 5, a rising first-grader.
“I love it, it (farmers market) is so sweet,” Katy Butler said. “We just moved here a week ago and it is amazing so far.
“I’ve met like 10 people and everybody’s been so friendly and it’s beautiful so we are very happy to be a part of this community now,” Butler added.
Glenview also has a farmers market. The Glenview farmers market opened June 15 and continues from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through Oct. 19 at Historic Wagner Farm (1510 Wagner Road) in Glenview.
Visit https://glenviewparks.org/event/glenview-farmers-market/ and https://northbrookfarmersmarket.org.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
