50 Years of Farm Food and Community Connections

From my childhood, one part of Oak Park I've enjoyed so much is the Farmers' Market.  Saturday after Saturday during its season, I have found it meaningful to enter the wonderful atmosphere of farm goods, and then some, being sold, and in the midst of it, fostering a sense of community.  It's particularly special this year to celebrate its 50th Season.

As we reach the threshold of summer, it's great to get out and visit the market in the parking lot of Pilgrim Congregational Church on Lake Street.  Interestingly, that parking lot is so integral to the market that once, when my Dad and I attended the Community of Congregation's Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer gathering at Pilgrim Church, my Dad forgot that we could park there.

As a kid, the donuts were easily one of my favorite market products, particularly the cinnamon sugar donuts.  As I've grown older, I've come to appreciate the other sweet treats, particularly at the bake sales that happen week after week.  Other vendors sell a variety of sweet treats, like the Breadman.

As the weeks pass, there's a progression of different products that are in season.  The berries abound in the summer months, and later in the summer comes the corn.  Upon entering September, the squash and apples appear.  I particularly like seeing the wide variety of apples, and I come back week after week in the autumn months to buy apples.

The Farmers' Market offers me a connection to the land, and one great example is the vendor who sells popcorn ears.  I put the ear into the microwave and in 2-3 minutes, the popcorn pops off the ear.  This farmer is in Illinois, so it feels delightful to eat genuine Illinois-grown popcorn.  I hardly eat the kind from the grocery store anymore because I appreciate the natural taste of the popcorn.  Following Aunt Carmen's big 90-year birthday party, I brought out some of it at the after party, and it was a big hit among my relatives.

One of the highlights of the season is the Annual Corn Roast.  It's so delightful to bite into an ear and savor the distinct roasted taste and the sweetness of the kernels as they give way.

A fellow visitor photographed me right before I enjoyed my annual ear from the Corn Roast.

Here's where the ears of corn were offered.

Here's the preparation set up, with a roaster appearing as a big box to the left.

This sign is an indication that it's once again time for the wonderful annual Corn Roast.

Another more recent event that's been added to the calendar is the Pie Bake-off.  This year, it was on Saturady, September 6.  People from the community entered submissions of pies, and I believe one of the rules is that the pie has to include ingredients purchased at the Farmers' Market.  The organizers gave out samples of pies, and I encountered quite a variety of flavors, especially fruit.  Those handing out samples weren't 100% certain of what was in them, but in some cases, I had a good hunch, and there were many good slices.

Above is a table with pies waiting their turn for enjoyment, and below are various samples I ate.

In late April, the OPRF History Museum hosted a panel discussion about the Farmers' Market, with donuts available for attendees to enjoy.  One of the panelists mentioned that every time she visits the market, she sees someone she knows. I had to wonder if that truly is the case for me.  So far this season, I've actually seen at least one person I know on the vast majority of market visits, even those when, because of my schedule, I'm focused on getting in and out more quickly.  And I know one of the vendors, Mary and Matt of Chanticleer Farms, from church.

The Farmers' Market truly combines great products of the earth, lots of treats, and a vibrant sense of community.  So we truly have much to celebrate in this 50th Season, with hopes for many more seasons to come.