Whether it is hot or cold outside, the 61st Street Farmers Market has got you covered. As the temperature rises, the fields explode with summer crops! If you’ve been to the Market lately, you will have seen seasonal favorites like fresh berries, peaches, apricots, cucumbers, cherries, basil, peas, zucchini…

• Fresh Fruit and Berries at Mick Klug Farms and Ellis Family Farms: Raspberries, Black Berries, Cherries (tart and sweet), Blueberries, Peaches, Plums and Apricots
• There has been a big harvest of Vegetables: Check out Mike & Clare, Patchwork Farms, Genesis Growers and Grower Power for Eggplant, Tomatoes, Peppers, Sweet Corn, Carrots, Cucumbers, Beets, Radishes and much more!
• Blueberry-Lemon Focaccia Buns will be available at Crumb.
• There is plenty of great, pasture-raised Beef, Pork, Lamb, and Goat for your grilling needs. Be sure to see Mint Creek Farm and Faith’s Farm for all your Brats, Burgers and Steaks.
• If you are looking for some veggie-friendly options to grill try Portabella Mushrooms, Zucchini and Eggplant.
• B’Gabs Goodies will have Market-Fresh Smoothies, Barley Ice Tea and Seasonal Berry Lemonade. If you haven’t been inside B’Gabs Goodies raw vegan deli, this would be the week. While supplies last, B’Gabs will have Growing Power Mint Ice Cream Sandwiches available.
• Keep a look out for Cherry Tomatoes. The season is just starting.

We always recommend coming early so you have the best selection of all our farmers’ products. You don’t want to miss out on anything!

10:30am Chef Demo: Personal Chef Instructor Peter Zelchenko will teach us how to beat the heat and avoid the stove by using citrius juice, vinegar and other culinary acids. Chef Peter will use ingredients from a surprise grab-bag provided by Growing Power and come up with delicious dishes with little or no heat. Think salsas, salads, and maybe a ceviche.

Peter Zelchenko, a Chicago native and professional cook, has taught cooking technique in private homes for many years. “In Wicker Park, he founded the ‘Unscrew U’ do-it-yourself workshop and its popular side-dish, ‘Fixing Food’ and is working to import it to the South Side.”