Skip the long lines at the grocery store and opt for seasonal fresh produce, flowers, or other unique goods from a local farmers market instead. Luckily, Chicago has a plethora of farmers markets scattered throughout the city, making it easy for residents and visitors to access fresh, locally sourced produce.
From historic markets on Maxwell street to pop-up markets, this list provides you with a guide to community and neighborhood farmers’ markets and other accessible food resources near you, in the city of Chicago. Whether you’re a foodie or just looking to support local farmers and artisans, these markets are sure to satisfy all of your food and drink needs.
What is a Chicago farmers market?
Farmers’ markets are not new concepts, however, their approach over time has certainly changed. Markets are no longer reserved for just farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers. Instead, these markets have evolved to include other seasonal items, flowers, prepared foods, locally made goods, and more.
In Chicago, programs Link Up Illinois allow SNAP and Link holders to be credited up to $25 per card swipe at various markets. We’ve indicated these markets with an “L” next to their listing. Full detailed explanations of the benefits can be found on the organization’s website.
Best Farmers Markets in Chicago by Day
Wednesday
Andersonville Farmers Market (L)
The Andersonville Farmers market features over a dozen vendors offering organic produce, cheese, preserves, baked goods, and more. The market begins May 10 – October 18 and is located on Catalpa Avenue between Clark Street and Ashland Avenue from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Check out this year’s vendors by visiting the website here.
Pullman City Market (L)
Located in the historic Pullman district of Chicago, the Pullman city market is your one-stop-shop for fresh vegetables, fruit, & seedlings to satisfy all your farmer’s market needs. The Pullman City Market takes place July 5 – October 25 from 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at 1100 S. Cottage Grove Ave. To learn more, visit the market website here.
Uptown Farmers Market (L)
The Uptown Farmers Market connects residents in the area with the region’s best-farmed goods and locally produced foods. The market is located In Sunnyside Mall, along the pedestrian stretch of Sunnyside between Magnolia and Beacon, just a block south of Wilson Avenue. The market will take place from May 3 – November 1, from 2:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. For a full list of vendors at the market, visit Uptown Farmers Market.
Thursday
Daley Plaza City Market (L)
The Daley Plaza City market operates May 11 – October 26 between 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 50 W. Washington St. This market located in the Loop will offer baked goods, fresh produce, and more at the downtown location. To learn more, visit the market website here.
Austin Town Hall City Market (L)
The Austin Town Hall City Market operates June 8 – October 26 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at 5610 W. Lake St. This city-managed market will offer fresh food and produce to community residents. To learn more about the Austin Town Hall City Market, visit the market website here.
Lincoln Square Farmers Market
The Lincoln Square Farmers Market offers markets on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the summer and fall seasons. Discover over 40 vendors each week at the Lincoln Square Farmers Market. Located in the heart of Lincoln Square, the market connects local farmers, artisans, and food purveyors to the Northside of Chicago. The season kicks off in May and runs until November. For a detailed list of vendors and more information, visit the website here.
Saturday
Division Street City Market (L)
The Division Street City Market operates May 6 – October 28 from 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at 100 W. Division St. This city-managed market will offer products and goods from local merchants. To learn more, visit the market website here.
Horner Park Farmers Market
The Horner Park Farmer’s market is an open-air food market where local farmers and sustainable food producers gather to sell their goods to the local community. This market seeks to enhance the quality of life in the greater Horner Park area by supporting environmentally sound and sustainable agriculture, encouraging direct communication between growers and consumers, and providing an environment that fosters social gathering and interaction. This weekly market takes place from June 3 to October 14 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. For details about this market visit the website here.
Mercado de Colores
Mercado de Colores is located at Manuel Perez Memorial Plaza on 4345 W. 26th St June 3- October 7 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The mission of this market is to offer a safe space for residents and local producers to share food and agroecological products and resources. Community initiatives include Bee-utiful Honey & Candles, Cedillo’s Fresh produce, and Contemporary Farmer, Inc. To learn more about this year around initiatives, visit Mercado de Colores.org.
West Humboldt Park City Market (L)
The community market located in Humboldt Park will offer farm-fresh produce and local goods in partnership with NHS Chicago. The market is located at 3601 W. Chicago Ave. and takes place June 3 – October 7 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. This market accepts Link, cash, card, WIC & Seniors farmers market nutrition coupons. For more details about this market, visit the market’s Facebook page.
Sunday
Hyde Park Farmers Market (L)
Shoppers can find fresh produce from local Illinois farms, freshly baked bread and desserts, beautiful plants, packaged foods, personal beauty supplies, and traditional farmers’ market fare. This market takes place from June 4 – September 24 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Several market vendors accept Mastercard and Visa card payments in addition to cash. For more details about this market, be sure to visit their Facebook page.
Maxwell Street Market
The historic market promotes entrepreneurship and provides opportunities for small businesses, including farmers, artists, makers, restaurateurs, and re-sellers. Located at 800 S. Desplaines St., the market takes place from May 28 – October 29 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Plan your visit to this South Loop market by visiting the website here.
Bronzeville City Market (L)
The Bronzeville City Market is a market that is perfect for the entire family. The Sunday market takes place at 4700 S. King Dr. starting July 9 – October 15 from 10:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. The weekly market offers fresh baked goods, fresh fruits and veggies, flowers, and more. To learn more about this community market, visit the website here.
61st Street Farmers Market (L)
Straddling the Hyde Park and Woodlawn neighborhoods, the 61st Street Farmers Market offers the freshest produce, meat, cheese, vegan and prepared foods from local and regional farms year around. The outdoor season May 13 – October 28 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.For more details about the 61st Street Market, visit Experimental Station.org.
Green City Market(L)
Discover the best of the Midwest at Green City Market in Lincoln Park and the West Loop. The market features dozens of local, sustainable farmers and food producers as well as community programs for all ages, plus more from April through October. The market primarily operates on Saturdays in Lincoln Park, West Loop, and Avondale. To learn more about this market, visit Green City Market.org.
Logan Square Farmer’s Market (L)
The Logan Square Farmer’s Market is one of the only weekly, year-round Farmer’s Markets in the City of Chicago. It operates in two distinct seasons at two separate locations on Sundays throughout the year. Kick this season off with this North Side market beginning May 14th from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Check out the full list of vendors for the winter and summer markets by visiting the website here.
Find more fresh food resources in Chicago
A farmers market is not the only place where you can find fresh and accessible food in Chicago. Check out these resources year-round resources.
Pop-up markets: Having access to healthy food resources for all communities is important. From mobile markets to farm stands, organizations like Forty Acres and Chicago Patchwork Farms make it possible for all residents in Chicago to gain access to nutrition resources within their area.
Year around markets and community grocery stores: Several community-focused markets offer fresh produce and goods at affordable prices throughout the year in Chicago. These markets include 61st St. Experimental Station, Soul City Community Market, and Plant Chicago.
Free meals for families: If you need fresh and nutritious food, no questions asked, organizations such as Care for Real and Find Food Illinois make it easy to find free food or meals near you.
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