Know Your Farmers Market: Bridgeport Farmers Market

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Jun 29, 2012 9:00PM

Chuck Sudo/Chicagoist

(Today we continue our series where we visit a different farmers market in the city as part of raising awareness of the farmers market network across Chicago, their locations and how they work to bring the freshest produce and foodstuffs to the communities they serve.)

Few things are sadder than an empty farmers market, either from a crowd or vendor perspective. One tends to lead to the other and knowing that didn't make my visit to the Bridgeport Farmers Market any less depressing

Started in 2009, the Bridgeport Farmers Market is already small by farmers market standards. When three vendors don't show up, as was the case last week, the market less resemble a place to buy fresh produce and foodstuffs and more like a flea market. But the vendors that were there were making a go of the stray person who chanced upon the southwest corner of 35th and Wallace Streets. Stamper Cheese Company, a local wholesaler of artisan cheese found at many farmers markets across the city, was trying to keep its samples cool in the mid-morning heat. Puffs of Doom, a new vendor this year, had sold out of its inventory by the time I arrived at 10:30.

The anchor vendor at the Bridgeport Farmers Market is Dotson's Farm. Located in Beecher, Dotson's is another vendor of multiple markets and last week had loads of potatoes, beets, kale, lettuces, radishes, and some tomatoes that seemed oversized for the time of season. Apparently they grow the tomatoes in tunnel hoophouses, which they said accounted for the size. Dotson's was doing brisk business with their herb planters and they'll even make a planter with three different herbs for $14.

Just some of the herbs sold by Dotson's Farm at the Bridgeport Farmers Market. (Chuck Sudo/Chicagoist)

So herbs, vegetables and carbs were covered. What was missing was fruit. We're reaching the peak berry and stone fruit season and, even though the wonky weather has made harvests unpredictable, an orchard or fruit vendor would have been a great way to round out the market on my visit. Just one.

It's possible location can be a problem here, but I doubt it. The market is in a parking lot next to the old police station and is easily accessible via the 44 Wallace/Racine and 35th Street buses, so getting to the market is not an issue. Market organizers told me they were working on theme days to increase the foot traffic and on outreach to seniors and locals to raise awareness of the market. So consider this my good deed for the day and head on out.

The Bridgeport Farmers Market is located at the southwest corner of 35th and Wallace and runs from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 6.