Boystown's new 'Pride & Produce' farmers market opens this weekend
Thu. June 5, 2014 9:09 AM by Andy Ambrosius
Vendors announced for this weekend's new 'Pride & Produce' farmers market
Chicago, IL -
This weekend marks the kickoff of the inaugural Pride & Produce Community Market, and organizers behind the new event have officially released the first round of vendors local shoppers can expect to see.
Created by the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the new farmers market is playfully described as "not just fruits" and is planned for every Saturday from June 7 – Oct. 4 near the heart of Boystown in the MB Financial Bank parking lot, 3179 N. Halsted St., on the corner of Belmont Avenue and Halsted Street.
And during large neighborhood events like Chicago Pride Fest (June 21, 22), Pride Parade (June 29) and Market Days (Aug. 9, 10), the parking lot will only feature food trucks as part of Food Truck Fests.
The weekend market lasts from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the same time as the farmers market at Nettelhorst French Market, just a few blocks east. Chamber director Christina Pinson, however, says the market will have a foodie-inspired twist that will hopefully keep patrons coming back for more.
"[This weekend] we will also have food trucks there from our current pool of over 10 trucks that will be participating throughout the season," Pinson told ChicagoPride.com. While the mobile eateries expected for this weekend remain under wraps, Pride & Produce's website details businesses like Haute Sausage, Cheesie's, Husky Hog BBQ, The Fat Shallot and more.
The list of vendors expected at the farmers market this weekend include:
Oh, Olive
With locations in Lincoln Park, the French Market, Glenview and Libertyville, Oh, Olive is taking their gourmet and infused olive oils on the road to the Pride & Produce market. Selling everything from ultra-premium oils to balsamic vinegar and more, the artisan shop also brings experts on their tasty ingredients.
Grassroots Farm
Wisconsin-based Grassroots Farm is bringing its fresh, pastured, GMO-free and certified organic farm products to Boystown. Specialty crops grown for the market include fresh-cut flowers and tons of tomatoes. However, shoppers can also expect to find items like kale, beets, cucumbers, spinach, onions, fresh herbs and plenty more throughout the season.
Sandwich Me In
Located just down the street from the Pride & Produce Market at 3037 N. Clark St., Sandwich Me In is a Lakeview staple with an incredibly eco-friendly conscious. Owner Justin Vrany only produced eight gallons of garbage in an entire year, CBS Chicago writes. Combined with the local restaurant's nearly five-star score on Google, hungry patrons will undoubtedly enjoy sandwiches like the Fried Egg BLT or BBQ Pulled Chicken.
C&D Family Farms
The small family farm is dedicated to raising hogs in their natural environment, saying "Happy hogs mean great pork!" on their website. Owners say they feed the animals a specialty blend that doesn't contain any antibiotics, growth hormones, steroids or animal-by products so nothing is passed on to the consumer.
Bread Shoppe Baking
Artisan. All natural. No preservatives. Baked fresh daily. Bread Shoppe Baking is taking its extensive product line of baguettes, rolls, artisan loaves and much more to the Pride & Produce market. Doughs include pretzel, brioche, nine-grain, ciabatta, French, sourdough, whole weat and more.
Farm Fresh Xpress
The farmers market on wheels is parking to sell at the inaugural Boystown farmers market, bringing 100 percent certified organic produce to the corner of Belmont and Halsted. The company sources produce from local farms and distributes it throughout the city, with a motto, "Know your farmer, know your food."
Lando Jerky
Any company that touts a Jerky of the Month Club is already a favorite in our books, but this gourmet, homemade jerky company also has a five-star rating across the board on eBay. Shoppers can pick up flavors like garlic and pepper, hickory, inferno and sweet and spicy.
Six Generations Farmin' Local
The Barrington-based farm is headed to Lakeview, bringing items like vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices, according to descriptions of the vendor at previous farmers markets.
Lyons Fruit Farm
Already in business for 28 years and over three generations, Lyons Fruit Farm specializes in apples, tomatoes, pears and cider, according to the Logan Square Farmers Market, where they also sell. Located in South Haven, Michigan, the farm sits on 15 acres.
Locher Capons Farms
The local purveyor of fresh produce will also join the market at Belmont and Halsted. Few details are known at this time about this vendor.
Hope for the Day
Hope for the Day is a non-profit movement dedicated to using music and the arts to fight depression and suicide, using music to save lives.
On the web: pridecommunitymarket.com
Created by the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the new farmers market is playfully described as "not just fruits" and is planned for every Saturday from June 7 – Oct. 4 near the heart of Boystown in the MB Financial Bank parking lot, 3179 N. Halsted St., on the corner of Belmont Avenue and Halsted Street.
And during large neighborhood events like Chicago Pride Fest (June 21, 22), Pride Parade (June 29) and Market Days (Aug. 9, 10), the parking lot will only feature food trucks as part of Food Truck Fests.
The weekend market lasts from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the same time as the farmers market at Nettelhorst French Market, just a few blocks east. Chamber director Christina Pinson, however, says the market will have a foodie-inspired twist that will hopefully keep patrons coming back for more.
"[This weekend] we will also have food trucks there from our current pool of over 10 trucks that will be participating throughout the season," Pinson told ChicagoPride.com. While the mobile eateries expected for this weekend remain under wraps, Pride & Produce's website details businesses like Haute Sausage, Cheesie's, Husky Hog BBQ, The Fat Shallot and more.
The list of vendors expected at the farmers market this weekend include:
Oh, Olive
With locations in Lincoln Park, the French Market, Glenview and Libertyville, Oh, Olive is taking their gourmet and infused olive oils on the road to the Pride & Produce market. Selling everything from ultra-premium oils to balsamic vinegar and more, the artisan shop also brings experts on their tasty ingredients.
Grassroots Farm
Wisconsin-based Grassroots Farm is bringing its fresh, pastured, GMO-free and certified organic farm products to Boystown. Specialty crops grown for the market include fresh-cut flowers and tons of tomatoes. However, shoppers can also expect to find items like kale, beets, cucumbers, spinach, onions, fresh herbs and plenty more throughout the season.
Sandwich Me In
Located just down the street from the Pride & Produce Market at 3037 N. Clark St., Sandwich Me In is a Lakeview staple with an incredibly eco-friendly conscious. Owner Justin Vrany only produced eight gallons of garbage in an entire year, CBS Chicago writes. Combined with the local restaurant's nearly five-star score on Google, hungry patrons will undoubtedly enjoy sandwiches like the Fried Egg BLT or BBQ Pulled Chicken.
C&D Family Farms
The small family farm is dedicated to raising hogs in their natural environment, saying "Happy hogs mean great pork!" on their website. Owners say they feed the animals a specialty blend that doesn't contain any antibiotics, growth hormones, steroids or animal-by products so nothing is passed on to the consumer.
Bread Shoppe Baking
Artisan. All natural. No preservatives. Baked fresh daily. Bread Shoppe Baking is taking its extensive product line of baguettes, rolls, artisan loaves and much more to the Pride & Produce market. Doughs include pretzel, brioche, nine-grain, ciabatta, French, sourdough, whole weat and more.
Farm Fresh Xpress
The farmers market on wheels is parking to sell at the inaugural Boystown farmers market, bringing 100 percent certified organic produce to the corner of Belmont and Halsted. The company sources produce from local farms and distributes it throughout the city, with a motto, "Know your farmer, know your food."
Lando Jerky
Any company that touts a Jerky of the Month Club is already a favorite in our books, but this gourmet, homemade jerky company also has a five-star rating across the board on eBay. Shoppers can pick up flavors like garlic and pepper, hickory, inferno and sweet and spicy.
Six Generations Farmin' Local
The Barrington-based farm is headed to Lakeview, bringing items like vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices, according to descriptions of the vendor at previous farmers markets.
Lyons Fruit Farm
Already in business for 28 years and over three generations, Lyons Fruit Farm specializes in apples, tomatoes, pears and cider, according to the Logan Square Farmers Market, where they also sell. Located in South Haven, Michigan, the farm sits on 15 acres.
Locher Capons Farms
The local purveyor of fresh produce will also join the market at Belmont and Halsted. Few details are known at this time about this vendor.
Hope for the Day
Hope for the Day is a non-profit movement dedicated to using music and the arts to fight depression and suicide, using music to save lives.
On the web: pridecommunitymarket.com