COVID-19 has just about taken away everything we love to do in the summertime, including browsing local farmer's markets. The weather is beautiful, but with the new health and safety guidelines, most farmers markets have remained closed, hurting the vendors that sell their supplies there.
Fortunately, three local neighborhoods on the Northwest side, Jefferson Park, Portage Park, and Independence Park, have teamed up to create a collaborative farmers market. While customers cannot come and browse just yet, they can order items online and pick them up at a drive-thru. The goal is to help the small businesses that have been directly impacted by the pandemic.
The drive-through farmers market is testing the waters this summer because large gatherings are still discouraged, but this is the best way to help support both local vendors and farmers.
The next farmers market won’t be until June 28, and customers need to order by the Friday night before.
While the neighborhoods on the Northwest side of the city are trying out online farmers marks, the Pilsen neighborhood actually hosted their first in-person market of the season.
Vendors were supplying masks and gloves in addition to their foods and goods, so customers felt safe to have a good time.
The Pilsen Community Market is every Sunday for the rest of the summer starting at 9 am, rain or shine.