Fresh, Local and Growing Farmers Markets Fuel a Regional Revival

Explore Chicagoland Farmers Markets This Summer

Farmers markets are now deeply woven into the fabric of the Lake Michigan region’s food culture. Illinois has the third most farmers markets among states, with the Illinois Farmers Market Association (ilfma.org/find-a-market) counting more than 300 seasonal markets.

The Chicago region alone hosts nearly 100 farmers markets during the peak summer season. The metropolis is served by local farms throughout Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana—each with its own robust farmers market community.

Whether located in parks, city plazas, parking lots or as pop-ups in residential neighborhoods, farmers markets provide a wide variety of options to suit the preferences of local food lovers. The scene has become such a staple that many people don’t realize how much smaller it was not long ago.

For most of the nation’s history, agriculture consisted mainly of small farms selling products to their local communities. The downtown market in Aurora (AuroraFarmersMarket.com)—a populous Chicago suburb—is a throwback to that tradition. Founded in 1912, it is the oldest continuously operating farmers market in Illinois.

The rise of industrial farming, supermarkets and the conventional food system overshadowed this localized way of selling food. But there was pushback. Pillars of the Chicago farmers market scene, such as Daley Plaza in the Loop and suburban markets like Oak Park (Oak-Park.us/community/events-and-activities/oak-park-farmers-market) and Ravinia (RaviniaFarmersMarket.com) in Highland Park, were started in the 1970s by pioneers in the Good Food movement. Still, by the late 20th century, only a few hundred farmers markets remained across the country.

That changed rapidly. A growing number of consumers—concerned about the widespread use of chemicals in industrial agriculture, seeking healthier diets and wanting a more personal connection to their food—spurred a dramatic revival of the farmers market sector.

Chicago’s Green City Market (GreenCityMarket.org), founded in 1999, played a leadership role in shaping the region’s food landscape. It introduced sustainability certification requirements and set producer-only standards. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the number of farmers markets nationwide has grown fourfold to more than 8,000.

Why Visit a Farmers Market

For those that haven’t yet become farmers market regulars, there are plenty of reasons to give them a try.

Taste: First and foremost, the food tastes better. Almost all of the produce sold at farmers markets is harvested at its peak, often just a day or two before being sold. In contrast, supermarket produce is typically picked much earlier. A single bite of a ripe, fresh peach or tomato could be enough to convert a first-time visitor into a regular shopper.

Health Benefits: Many studies show that locally produced food retains more nutrients than food shipped from far away. The freshness and flavor can also inspire people to “eat the rainbow”—choosing colorful produce packed with different phytonutrients.

Environmental Impact: Buying from vendors who produce with sustainable practices such as organic and regenerative is important to many people who shop at farmers markets. Many farms tout sustainability certifications while others are happy to tell customers that they utilize better-for-the-planet practices without going through the certification process. Farmers market vendors love meeting new people, so just ask them about their approach to sustainability.

Economic Resilience: Buying directly from local farmers helps provide them with more financial security, which in turn, supports stronger rural and urban economies.

Reliability: Before 2020, many believed the industrial food system could not fail. But the COVID-19 pandemic proved otherwise, as supermarket closures and supply chain disruptions led to food shortages. Local farmers that still had food to sell and the means to bring it to farmers markets helped meet the need—and many people that tried the markets for the first time during that period became loyal customers.

A Better Experience: While supermarkets serve an important role—especially for items like bananas that can’t be grown locally—shopping outdoors in a lively, community-oriented setting can feel more like a celebration than a chore.

Farmers markets have become more than just places to buy food—they’re community hubs that support healthier lifestyles, local economies and a more sustainable food system. As interest continues to grow across the Lake Michigan region, these markets remain a vital connection between consumers and the farmers that feed them.

Bob Benenson is the writer and publisher of Local Food Forum, a Chicago-based publication that maintains a regional farmers market tracker and covers the markets regularly. For more information, visit LocalFoodForum.com.

Correction: this article was updated on July 18 from an earlier version to clarify the "Environmental Impact" section.