About the Green City Market:
Chicago's Green City Market is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization celebrating its 12th anniversary. Operating as Chicago’s only truly “green” farmers market supporting and promoting local, sustainable agricultural practices, the mission of Green City Market is to provide a marketplace for purchasing sustainably grown food that educates, promotes, and connects farmers and local producers directly to chefs, restaurateurs, and the greater Chicago community. (Worth reading: Taste of Chicago 2012 l Chicago's Famous Old Town Neighborhood l Celebrating Mother's Day 2012 in Chicago
History of the Green City Market:
After visiting European sustainable farmer’s markets in 1998, Abby Mandel, chef, author, and entrepreneur, returned to Chicago determined to create a similar market in her own city. Green City Market was her brainchild and began as a small startup with nine local farmers in the crosswalk next to the Chicago Theatre. The Market quickly outgrew the location and moved to the south end of Lincoln Park where it currently operates May – October. Four years ago, the Market continued to remain open November – December, first in the Lincoln Park Zoo and later moving to The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.
Green City Market Outdoor Location:
The Chicago Green City Market's outdoor market is located at the south end of Lincoln Park between Clark and Stockton Drive (approximately 1790 N. Clark).
Parking at the Green City Market's Outdoor Location:
Discounted parking is available for $9 for the first two hours with validation in the Chicago Historical Museum parking lot off of Stockton Drive (for validation, patron must make a minimum $5 purchase at the market).
Getting to the Green City Market's Outdoor Location:
The Lincoln Park trolley runs every Saturday down Stockton Drive starting around May 23rd. It is free and picks up in front of the Historical Museum parking lot. The following CTA bus routes stop by Green City Market: 22 Clark, 36 Broadway, 73 Armitage, 151 Sheridan. The nearest train stops are the Sedgwick Brown line (walk east on North Ave. and north on Clark to Green City Market) and the Clark/Division Red line (walk north on Clark to Green City Market). You can also park in the hicago Historical Museum parking lot off of Stockton Drive for $9 for two hours with a $5 purchase at the market. (Worth reading: Organic Gardening 101 and Organic Gardening Essentials)
Green City Market Indoor Location:
The Chicago Green City Market's indoor market is located at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N. Cannon Drive in Lincoln Park). Free parking is available in the Diversey Harbor parking Lot off of Cannon Drive. The following CTA bus routes stop near the Nature Museum: 22 Clark, 36 Broadway, 76 Diversey, 151 Sheridan, 156 LaSalle. The closest train stop is the Fullerton Brown, Purple, and Red line (walk east on Fullerton to the Museum).
Dates for the Green City Market:
The Chicago Green City Market outdoor season will run May 5 through about October 29, 2012, every Wednesday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. From November through December 21st, the market will run every Saturday at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's eco-lot on the north side of the Museum. Markets will also be held on Wednesday, November 23rd (before Thanksgiving) and Wednesday, December 21st (before Christmas). From January 21st through April, the market will run every Saturday inside the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in the South Gallery.
Farmers at the Green City Market:
Green City Market's farmers reduce the environmental and health impacts of pesticides by eliminating them or selecting effective materials with fewer known environmental health hazards. They treat animals humanely and strive to preserve the soil, water and wildlife habitat for future generations. Here is a list of farmers that showcase their products and goods at the Green City Market
Volunteering at the Green City Market:
Green City Market encourages all shoppers and supporters of the Market to become a Green City Market volunteer. Volunteers can participate and contribute their time in many ways, including acting as a "Market Resource" at our Market Information Tent on Wednesdays and Saturdays; assisting with special events; helping out during chef demos; working with our Sprouts children's program and behind-the-scenes work in the Market office. If you are interested in being a Green City Market volunteer, visit the Green City Market's volunteer Web page.
