By Sabrina Hilton and Matthew Galle
As another season of the Northside Farmers Market comes to a close, we want to take a moment to celebrate the people who make this market so special. Whether you shopped, sold, promoted, volunteered or simply stopped by to say hello, you contributed to another successful season.
This year, the market was truly bursting at the seams. Interest from local vendors grew so much that we expanded our footprint to welcome more producers into our community. For the first time during our tenure as market managers, we had several weeks when the market was completely full. That growth is a wonderful reflection of the enthusiasm and support of our Northside community.
Beyond fresh, locally grown food, the market continues to be a place for connection. This year, we introduced our “Coffee with a ___” series to create opportunities for neighbors to meet and talk with community leaders. We welcomed Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, firefighters from Engine 10, officers from the North Precinct, Alder Julia Matthews, and principals from several Northside public schools. These conversations have been warmly received, and we look forward to continuing them next season. Giving residents an opportunity to share their ideas, questions and concerns is an important part of building a strong community.
We are especially grateful to our volunteers, whose work behind the scenes helps the market run each week. From setup and takedown to answering questions and helping patrons access SNAP/EBT benefits, their contributions are essential.
We also extend our appreciation to the Northside TownCenter, Willy Street Co-op North, and Old National Bank for their neighborly support.
The Northside Farmers Market is more than a place to shop. It is a celebration of local agriculture, community and connection. Thank you for making it possible. We are already looking forward to next season.
