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Culinary

The right ingredients are essential to any recipe, and food shopping in Chicago provides selection and quality beyond compare. From locally grown produce to hard-to-find imported spices, you’ll find everything you need right here.

With more than 30 farmers markets located throughout the city, farm fresh fruits and veggies are available in nearly every neighborhood all summer long. Chat with the farmers about what’s in season, and get their best tips for selection and preparation.

If you’re looking for something more unusual, explore some of the city’s wonderful corner stores, where you’ll discover shelves full of international specialty items to add exotic flavor to your next culinary masterpiece.

Browse a Farmer's Market for fresh berries, produce, and artisanal cheeses on your Chicago culinary adventure.

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Farmers Markets

Green City MarketBuy fresh raspberries and other seasonal produce at the Green City Market

Chicago’s Green City Market, ranked among the country’s top 10 great farmers markets by eminent chef and author Alice Waters.

Dig through heaps of lushly colored produce with the thousands of shoppers frequenting this 10-year-old non-profit, host to 45-plus sustainable or certified organic farmers from late spring to fall.

Collect tips and tastes at cooking demonstrations. Watch the kids’ eyes widen as they find out surprising facts about everyday foods at “Sprouts” sessions.

Rub elbows with local chefs while selecting super-fresh and flavorful apples, watermelons, corn, asparagus, and fresh herbs; baked goods including pies; and other items produced by small Midwestern family farmers including honey, cheese, and nuts.

For vegetables that haven’t even left the soil yet, go to the market’s two edible gardens at the nearby Lincoln Park Zoo’s Farm-in-the Zoo exhibit.

Buy fresh peaches at a farmers market in one of 20 different Chicago neighborhoods farmers markets in the neighborhoods

Set out for additional farmers markets in more than 20 different neighborhoods. Reap the bounty of more than 70 vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables, plants, and flowers to take away or have for lunch alongside locals in the market. Be sure to include a visit to Chicago’s 4 newest markets: Sears Tower Plaza Market, Erie Street Market, Bronzeville Community Market, and Conuco Farmers Market.

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Enjoy a meal at one of the city's award-winning resaurants. An elegantly set table sets the mood.

Green city Market

Wednesdays and Saturdays, May 14 – October 29, 7 am–1:30 pm
South of Lincoln Park Zoo, Between 1750 N. Clark Street and Stockton Drive
773.435.0280
chicagogreencitymarket.orgfreekid friendly

Farmers Markets

Tuesdays–Thursdays and Weekends, May–October
312.744.3315 chicagofarmersmarkets.usfreekid friendly

Loop and New markets

Daley Plaza Farmers Market
Washington and Dearborn streets
Thursdays, May 15 – October 2, 7 am–3 pm

Federal Plaza Farmers Market
Adams and Dearborn streets
Tuesdays, May 13 –
October 28, 7 am–3 pm

Prudential Plaza Farmers Market
Lake Street and Beaubien Court
Tuesdays, June 10 – October 21, 7 am–3 pm

Sears Tower Farmers Market
233 S. Wacker Drive
Thursdays, June 19 – October 30, 7 am–3 pm

Erie Street Market
530 W. Erie Street
Sundays, June 22 –
October 26, 7 am–3 pm

Bronzeville Community Market
4400 S. Cottage Grove Avenue
Sundays, June 29 –
October 19, 10 am–3 pm

Conuco Farmers Market
2800 W. Division Street
Saturdays, July 5 – November 1, Noon–3 pm

Other neighborhood markets

Other neighborhood markets include
Ashburn, Austin, Beverly, Wright College, Gately / Pullman, Hyde Park, Lawndale, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, Morgan Park, Museum of Contemporary Art / Streeterville, Division Street, Northcenter, Printer’s Row, South Shore, Uptown and Wicker Park/Bucktown.