A dozen farmers markets in Chicago and the suburbs worth a visit

Chicago Sun Times / by Ruby Rosenthal / May 20, 2026

“Everybody deserves to eat food — delicious food, and food that isn’t in the interests of profits for a select few folks who are dominating the food industry,” says Sam Koentopp, farm programs manager for Urban Growers Collective’s South Chicago Farm Stand. “It’s important to us as an organization to help people. It’s why we get up and do this work every day.”

This year, affordability and accessibility are priorities for farmers markets as they contend with cuts to SNAP benefits for customers and rising gas prices and high costs for market materials. Urban Growers Collective operates a roving bus — called the Fresh Moves Mobile Market — that delivers produce to schools, community centers, churches and health clinics in Black and brown neighborhoods. Other market managers said they are excited to bring good things to the communities they serve, including complimentary rides for seniors to and from the Oak Park Farmers’ Market and free school uniforms at the Bronzeville City Market provided by the Struggling Black Girl Magic Club. Read More Here.