Hi- The Evanston outdoor farmer's market is going to officially open for the season tomorrow 5/1. Market protocol is going to be the same as it was at the end of the market season last year. You are going to have to social distance, wear a mask, not visit with your friends for very long, and not touch the produce until after you buy it. People over the age of 65, or those who are high risk, can show up at the market at 7:00. but for everyone else it starts at 7:30. They are going to limit the number of people in the inside square of the market again like last year, but since they opened up the outside square, the lines to get into the inside square are not that bad, and if you go at 10:00 or later they are nonexistent. There were many weeks last year, where I did not even go to the inside square, and mostly bought from First Orchards, Henry, and K & K farms.
There are eight new vendors this year. The people who own Green Acres decided to retire, and so they will not be there this year, but the Talking Farm has decided to come to the market every week this summer, and will be taking over that spot. Misericordia is going to be selling baked goods at the market this year. Karl's Kraft soup is also going to be new there this summer. Apparently they sell out quickly at all of the markets they sell at. I think all of their soups are vegetarian. You can purchase prepared foods, but currently you have to wait until you exit the market to consume them.
Myra the market manager just reported on the market's Facebook page, that she hopes to be able to relax some of the market rules as the summer progresses. She predicts that she will be able to allow live music and the sprout club soon. Anybody that wants to use their Link card at the market this year, will be matched by the market up to $25. Last year they had to limit it to $15 towards the end of the season because they had more people coming in with Link cards than they expected.
Henry will not be at the market until 5/15. His Sister Teresa will be there 5/8, 5/15,5/22, and 5/29. She is not currently taking any more online orders for veggie plants, and those people who already ordered plants from her can pick up their cool weather plants on 5/8, and their warm weather plants such as tomatoes and peppers on 5/22. She will also be at the market on 5/15 with more cool weather plants for people who did not get their order in on time, and 5/29 with more warm weather plants. She asks that those people who are buying plants on 5/15 and 5/29, to go to her website to find out what she has available for sale, and decide before they get in line at the market what they want to buy. If what you want is no longer available, she will recommend possible substitutions. BTW- I finally saw the documentary on Henry a few weeks ago, and it was wonderful.
Myra says that several growers are going to have asparagus tomorrow, but if you want asparagus tomorrow, I would get there early. There is going to be a lot more asparagus on 5/8. There should be some ramps tomorrow though. Hope this helps, Nancy