North Shore Farmers Markets, 2011

By Peg Wolfe
July 3, 2011 at 10:38 am

North Shore Farmers Markets, 2011:  Ravinia, 6/29

Roger Williams Dr., East of Green Bay Road
Adjacent to Jens Jensen Park
Highland Park (Ravinia), IL
Wednesday, 7:00AM – 1:00PM

A long-lived farmers market, unusual for its prevalence of Illinois-based sellers, Ravinia’s collection of farmers and foodcrafters is second in longevity only to Evanston among North Shore markets.  After a weather-related slow start to the growing season, the market is now up to full capacity.  Easily accessible by car or via Metra’s Union Pacific North Line commuter trains; abundant street parking is available.

The 2011 vendors at the Ravinia market include the following (vendors in bold face are new for the 2011 season):

Vegetables

-         Dennis Acres (IL): root crops, tomatoes

-         KAP Farms (IL): large assortment of vegetables; some fruit

-         Red Barn Farm (IL): Vegetables, cut flowers, herb plants, popcorn

Fruit

-         Klug Orchards (MI): certified organic fruit, berries, some vegetables, including asparagus

-         K&K Farms (MI): berries, apples/pears in season, stone fruit, including cherries

Bakeries

-         Fraternite Notre Dame, St. Roger Abbey (IL): French pastries, tarts, breads; http://www.strogerabbey.org/

-         High-Rise Baking Company  (IL): artisan breads, scones, muffins, & rolls; http://www.highrisebakingcompany.com/

Other Foods

-         Biagio Imports (IL): Biagio specializes in prepared Italian foods of all kinds, including imported pastas, sauces, basics for Italian cooking (like semolina), and unusual jams, such as black currant-cassis.  Olives and freshly-stuffed cannoli are also available.

-         Sweet Margy Toffee (IL): Margy carries hand-made milk and dark-covered toffee, as well as a sweet/spicy fruit & nut mix and chocolate/toffee-covered graham crackers (for the ultimate S’more) http://wwwconfectiondiva.com

-         Cheese People (IL): cheeses of all kinds; http://thecheesepeople.com/

-         Stivers Coffee (IL): locally roasted and flavored coffees

-         Gata Bee Crepes (IL):  delicious made-to-order sweet & savory crepes; catering available

-         White Star (IL):  beverages, scones, pastries;  new offerings for 2011 include pasta sauces, jarred soups, salsa

-         Olive-Granet (IL): pomegranate and olive spreads

Flowers & Plants

-         Oosterhoff & Sons (IL): cut flowers, perennials, bedding plants

-         Rolling Hills Nursery (IL) : shrubs and bushes, including lovely small Japanese maples

Services

-         Knife Sharpening by Dave (IL): custom knife sharpening by an expert; http://sharpeningbydave.com/