Featuring fresh produce from Michigan and Illinois farms, educational seminars and local entertainment, the Market aims to bring together the neighborhoods and communities around Morton Grove to celebrate the bounty of our Midwest agricultural, dairy, and culinary innovation heritage. We invite our neighbors from Niles, Edgebrook and surrounding villages to join us in eating seasonally and enjoying the festival atmosphere of our Farmers’ Market.

Click here for an audio tour of the market recorded and edited by Northwestern University journalism student, Brian Anderson.

An important reason why we formed this Market was to learn where our food comes from and share that information with our community. So, we decided to visit the orchards and farms that will supply the food we buy and get a feel for the land, the equipment and the people who will help grow it all. We learned about different farming practices, got to know the people who will plant the seeds and gather the harvest, and gained an appreciation for the fact that the soil that will grow our meals really isn’t that far away from Morton Grove.

In the videos below, you can meet the farmers to learn about their family history, see the land they cultivate and anticipate the crops they’ll be bringing to Market.

Vendor Profiles (click to go to web page)

Twin Garden Farms

From Harvard, IL, TGF does sweet corn right. Take it home and cook it, or eat it raw off the cob. It’s a sweet and tender snack that will make you rethink your position on corn-on-the-cob. This third-generation farm will also bring along lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and other traditional Illinois-grown vegetables.

Red Barn Farms

From Woodstock, Illinois is bringing plenty of produce to fill two booth spots at the market. A family farm since 1960, Red Barn is growing everything from leeks and celery root to muskmelon, basil, snow peas and golden beets.

Blankenship Farm

With more than half a century of Blankenship family history on the farm, this Eau Claire, Michigan producer is coming to the Morton Grove market in a brand new truck this year! Andy Blankenship’s grandparents started the farm and he and his wife, Kelly, run it with Andy’s parents.

Lehman’s Orchard

Steve Lecklider runs his grandparent’s orchard and is implementing many sustainable practices among the apples, pears, peaches and honey. This Niles, Michigan orchard also grows cherries, peas, nuts and seeds and makes its own nut butters, blueberry honey and dried fruit.

T and H Farms

Especially renowned for their flowers as well as their fine vegetables, T&H is a third-generation farm run by Tim and Heather Horcher.

Tibet Farms

Growing specialty vegetables often found in Korean and Chinese cuisines, this Tibetan family lives in Morton Grove and has employed natural growing practices (composting, natural pest control) for years both in Illinois and in Tibet.

Lifeway Foods

A Morton Grove original, the makers of drinkable Kefir,cheeses and other probiotic products will sell its refreshing drinks at the Market.

El Gringo Loco

From Morton Grove to Warrenville and back to Morton Grove again, chef Kazdan used to work in town at Cafe Pierre. Now, El Gringo Loco brings its unique style of Mexican fusion on Saturdays. Spicy (and less spicy) treats include salsas, barbecue sauces and hot sauces. Click here for a link to a Locolicious video.

Maier’s Bakery

Three generations have prepared pastries, cakes and cookies for Morton Grove, but this is their first full-scale farmers’ market.

The Cheese People

Great cheeses from dairies across Wisconsin and Illinois

JoyNPure Honey Nut Snacks

Their health-minded snacks consist of almonds, walnuts and honey with no sugar, salt or oil added. “Go Pure!” says company founder, Joyce, “Good health and good taste don’t have to be complicated nor compromised.” JoyNPure’s Honey Nut Snacks are produced a short drive from where they’re sold, at Richwell Market, 6120 Dempster St. in Morton Grove.

Earthy Delights Organic Bakery

Delicious breads, croissants and baked goods from the heartland.

Invisible Edge Knife Sharpening Service

Because every great chef knows that it all starts with a good, sharp set of knives. Bring your knives and scissors to the Market and shop while Mark Brown hones them to a fine edge.

Amy Peterson Chocolates

What could be more luscious on a hot summer day than a frozen chocolate-covered banana or cheesecake on a stick?

SuperCup Coffee

Morton Grove’s very own has set up a cafe in the Market. Come sit and start your day with a cup of fresh java.

Benhart Farms

Dairy, coop and pasture food from southern Wisconsin including free-range eggs and whole roasting chickens.
Beef-wise, owner Eric Benhart is selling T-Bone.Porterhouse,Ribeye ,NY Strip,Tenderloin,Sirloin,Stew meat,1/3# Patties,and Ground Beef.
If you find the swine to be devine, check out his pork chops, cutlets, country ribs, spare ribs, nitrate-free bacon, smoked hocks, bratwurst (in regular, jalepeno and cheddar as well as mild Italian).

---

---

Below is the 2010 vendor application. The first market is May 29, 2010 and then each Saturday through October 16th. We want to provide good quality products to the public from the beginning, to ensure our continued success as a market.

Our Market committee envisions this producer-only farmers’ market to provide fresh, local produce and products as well as a festival-like, community-supported atmosphere. We will provide a space for local musicians and exhibitors to showcase our town’s diversity. Children’s activities and community outreach will also be present. Village officials will be on-hand to chat with residents. The variety of activities should help attract even more customers to your products. You can also appreciate that we’ve found a location in a commercial and residential district near a high-trafficked intersection, with cars moving between I-94 and I-294 and going to and from Skokie, Glenview, Niles and Park Ridge.

Our application deadline is Friday, March 5th, 2010, but we welcome yours as soon as you can complete it and send it in, so we can publicize vendors in advance. Residents are already inquiring who will be at the market, and the excitement is already starting to build.

If you have any questions, please contact the market manager, Kristina Otte at manager@mgfarmersmarket.com. Thanks and see you in the spring!

Click to view 2010 vendor application