This post originally ran in Macaroni Kid.

Labor Day typically marks the unofficial "end" of summer. But farmers markets are still going strong! Many of them—including the Uptown Farmers Market—run through the end of October with farmers and vendors bringing loads of fabulous fall produce and other locally prepared products directly to us as consumers.

While farmers markets present excellent opportunities to introduce kids to food values, they are also hubs for community connections between neighbors, businesses, nonprofits, and even musicians. As we all work to reestablish social gatherings while staying safe, bringing families together at farmers markets is a great way to showcase the diversity and richness of our communities.

Candidates for the Board of Directors are asked a series of questions to help the Owners of Chicago Market make an informed decision. Here is the response from our candidate this year:

This post originally ran in Macaroni Kid.

Chances are you’ve shopped at a farmers market and maybe even have a regular one in your neighborhood that you visit every week. In addition to offering access to fresh produce and locally prepared foods, farmers markets are also great opportunities to help kids learn about food and food values.

The Uptown Farmers Market wouldn’t be possible without our awesome sponsors. And we're proud to tell you a little bit more about Becovic. Located in Uptown, Becovic is sponsoring the Uptown Farmers Market because they believe it is a way for the community to gather while sustaining our local makers and growers and supporting our Co-op.

As we continue to celebrate Chicago Market’s exciting funding news, we have another key milestone to share in the development of our store—the first on-site physical work to prepare the inside of our building for construction!

Our lease with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) includes the basement portion of our location at Wilson and Broadway. The Co-op's store design plans call for transforming that lower level into storage space, restrooms, offices, and conference rooms (click here for pdf of the basement plan).

[Photo of a worker wearing an air filtration mask giving a thumbs up sign]

Want to see the Board in action? Chicago Market Board meetings are open to all Owners to observe, and now conducted via Zoom! (accessible on all phones, tablets and computer platforms)

RSVP and we'll email Owners the Zoom login info shortly before the meeting. 

You just need to let us know you'll be coming (by RSVP'ing below!) and whether you'll be needing comment time. (Owners can speak for up to 5 minutes, and we'll be capping comment time to 30 minutes per Board meeting.)

Please send any questions for the Board in advance to [email protected].

Want to see the Board in action? Chicago Market Board meetings are open to all Owners to observe, and now conducted via Zoom! (accessible on all phones, tablets and computer platforms)

RSVP and we'll email Owners the Zoom login info shortly before the meeting. 

You just need to let us know you'll be coming (by RSVP'ing below!) and whether you'll be needing comment time. (Owners can speak for up to 5 minutes, and we'll be capping comment time to 30 minutes per Board meeting.)

Please send any questions for the Board in advance to [email protected].

We here at Chicago Market are partnering up with other area food co-ops to host a virtual screening of the documentary film The Co-op Wars!

All the candidates for the Board of Directors were asked a series of questions to help the Owners of Chicago Market make an informed decision. Here are their responses:

While the Uptown Farmers Market has been connecting amazing local farmers and producers with customers every Wednesday since May, we here at the Chicago Market Events Team were proud to add an artistic and literary vibe to our space this month!

As we continue working toward opening the full-service grocery store that will ultimately fill the building, we are happy to join with community partners and host events like Aug. 8th's Uptown Art Fair and Aug. 15th's Pop-Up Book Sale.