Popular vendors and several new additions make this year's market better than ever
New to the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce Farmers Market this year are Toni and Artice Browley of Sweet Sensations Bakery selling scones and Adam Dremak and Peter Wengerski of Urban Loggers Club offering wood chips for a smoker in five different flavors. Of course fresh produce, like these radishes and green onions from longtime vendor Evergreen Farms, also is available. (Jim Slonoff photos)
The unofficial start of summer 2021 coincided with the official opening of the 45th season of the Hinsdale Farmers Market. Launched on Memorial Day, the outdoor market will host more than two dozen vendors from Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin every week through October.
From 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Monday, Burlington Park transforms from tranquil suburban oasis to a bustling outdoor market filled with seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh eggs, regionally produced honey, ciders, cheeses, meats and poultry, jams, preserves, cut flowers, nursery stock, handmade items and more. Local food artisans bring coffee, prepared foods and other goodies that can be enjoyed on the spot or taken home.
Hosted by the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce, the market continues to do what it was designed to do - attract shoppers to the downtown on what otherwise could be a slow shopping day.
Along with longtime favorites such as Azteca Catering, JW Morlock & Girls and Evergreen Farms, the 2021 market welcomes a half dozen new vendors offering everything from seasonal produce to smoked woods for flavorful backyard grilling.
"We're excited because we've added quite a few seasonal vendors," said chamber marketing director Claudia Thornton, ensuring that shoppers will have ample access to the freshest seasonal produce and flowers from summer into fall.
Returning favorites
Kathy Theis has been selling fruits, vegetables and flowers at the Hinsdale market since opening day in 1977 and has customers who have been shopping her stand for nearly as long.
"Now, I'm getting my customers' children and grandchildren," said Theis of Evergreen Farms in Yorkville.
Asparagus, radishes, rhubarb and lots of flowers are ready, with lettuce, green beans, sweet corn, tomatoes and more to follow, Theis said.
Jeff Morlock of JW Morlock & Girls in Watervliet, Mich., also is an original market vendor. He said it's looking like a great year for fruit, including blueberries, raspberries and peaches.
"The strawberries look absolutely gorgeous this year," Morlock said.
Glenn Gonzalez, owner of Azteca Catering Co., has parked his white vans at the corner of Lincoln and Chicago for more than a decade. In his 11th year at the Hinsdale market, Gonzalez is offering seven types of freshly made, frozen tamales. Offerings include vegetarian, kosher and halal tamales, as well as pork, chicken and dessert tamales.
Shrimp ceviche, guacamole, cactus salad, fresh salsas and more grab-and-go options also will be available.
Gonzalez said he's already caught up with some of his loyal customers at the Clarendon Hills market, which began earlier in May.
"A lot of my Hinsdalean customers came out to visit me," said Gonzales, who added he considers Hinsdale his second home.
New offerings
Six new vendors are expanding the meaning of Farmers Market this year with homemade creations from freshly baked scones to smoked woods for the backyard barbecue.
Sweet Sensations, Nuts To Go, Magic Crepes, Rollicking Buckaroo Pepper Jam and Urban Loggers Club all have joined the farmers market family this year, along with Smiling Farms, which offers seasonal crops now through October.
More than a market
Shoppers can start their Mondays with a free fitness class. Led by a different local fitness instructor each week, the hourlong classes provide an introduction to a variety of exercise methods for participants of all fitness levels. Classes are open until filled and no reservations are taken. See https://www.hinsdalechamber.com for a list of weekly instructors.
Caricature artist Bruce Carlevato will return this year with free caricature drawings.
"He brings a lot to the market. People really enjoy it," said Eva Field, chamber president and CEO. Field said the Hinsdale Public Library will offer free kids' activities a couple of times each month, making the market as fun for children as it is for adults.
This year's Hinsdale Farmer's Market is sponsored by Renewal by Anderson, Great American Exteriors, Rush University Medical Center and InnerJasmine Yoga and Wellness.
For a full list of vendors, visit https://www.hinsdalechamber.com.
