Fresh pasta, hanging flower baskets and Transylvanian chimney cakes are just some of the offerings that have arrived at Park Ridge’s farmers market this year.
The market is in full swing every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the end of October, attracting between 1,100 and 1,500 people per market day, said Karen Grunschel, co-market master along with Stephanie Goodrich. It’s taking place this year in its usual location at 15 Prairie Avenue between Main and Garden, though it may have to move in a future year, Grunschel said.
Produce vendors are selling a wide variety of lettuces, tomatoes and vegetables such as beets, broccoli, kale, chard, bok choy and onions. Fruits in season now include cherries, blackberries, raspberries and more.
Besides produce, vendors offer frozen premium meat and fish, freshly-baked bread, cupcakes, croissants, popcorn, honey, ice cream and cherry specialties.
If you’re too hungry to wait until you get home, there are plenty of ready-to-eat options on site, including tamales, freshly-made artisan pizza, flavored nuts, acai bowls, flavored ices and more.
“We have two new farms this year,” said Grunschel. They include Parra Farm from Michigan and Adama Farm from Illinois.
The market also has a few guest vendors for the first five weeks, including one selling flowers in hanging baskets.
The market is usually busiest from about 9:30 or 10 until 11 a.m., Grunschel said. Shoppers who come at noon might find that a few things have sold out, but that the market still offers a broad selection.
This year, Grunschel said, vendors who wished to come part-time had to start in either the market’s first or second week and come every other week after that.
As for the new vendors, Grunschel said Mario Scordato, a chef, makes and sells fresh pasta under the name Pasta Bar. The Eating Well sells vegetarian foods and Maly’s sells frozen egg rolls. Salty Provisions sells flavored salt blends.
Renata and Dan Savin of Park Ridge are sharing the flavors of their native Transylvania — even though they met in Chicago and have been here a long time, they said — with fellow Park Ridge residents. The chimney cakes come in three flavors, including the traditional walnut, which Renata said is her favorite, though their young daughter prefers the plain with caramelized sugar.
The popular vendor Rhetta’s Kitchen, which made breakfast burritos, pastries and cookies, is taking a year off, Grunschel said.
Not returning this year are one farmer and Nal’s Kitchen, which made ginger sauces and dressings.
Though the lot where the vendors set up, as well as the street, are city-owned, the lot where shoppers park is not. If the owner decides to build on that property, the market may have to move next year, Grunschel said.
Shoppers who love the farmers market may also want to visit a Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce event that’s new this year called the Market After Dark. It runs from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. on July 27, Aug. 31 and Sept. 28. The market offers food, wine and spirits, live music and artisans. The traditional daytime farmers market, however, does sell or permit alcohol.
The farmers market accepts SNAP and MatchLink, and children can participate in the Sprouts Club, which awards them a prize after they visit the market five times and check in.
Asked what kind of business the vendors do, Grunschel responded, “I think everyone is doing well. I’ve never heard anyone complain. They must be doing well or they wouldn’t be coming back.”
