by Bob Benenson with Jim Slama, Katie Daniel and Chelsea Callahan, FamilyFarmed
As a longtime friend of Chicago’s Green City Market, we had been waiting with anticipation for its inaugural evening farmers market at famed Wrigley Field on Thursday (June 15).
We are happy to report that the market was everything we expected and more — with the new Park at Wrigley, located right next to the Chicago Cubs’ home field and the team’s new office building, proved a perfect setting on a bright, sunny, hot day.
Here is a photo essay of the big day. We’ll definitely have more to share this season.
FamilyFarmed’s Chelsea Callahan, Katie Daniel and Jim Slama waiting to get in the Park at Wrigley, with the statue of Cubs legend Ernie Banks. An all-star lineup! Photo: Bob Benenson/FamilyFarmed
We titled our preview about the Green City Market at Wrigley, “Buy Me Some Rhubarb and Strawberries?” a takeoff on the lyrics to Take Me Out to the Ball Game. Nichols Farm & Orchard came through for us. Photo: Bob Benenson/FamilyFarmed
Heirloom and cherry tomatoes from Nichols Farm & Orchard. Photo: Bob Benenson/FamilyFarmed
Katie Daniel, Bob Benenson and Jim Slama at Nichols Farm & Orchard stand turned tomato models. Photo: David Titus/FamilyFarmed
Mick Klug Farm featured early spring crops (strawberries, rhubarb, asparagus) that soon will go out of season….
…. as well as fruit that has just hit the market, such as these raspberries and sweet cherries. Photos: Bob Benenson/FamilyFarmed
The new Park at Wrigley, site of the Thursday Green City Market, is located just outside historic Wrigley Field and adjacent to the Chicago Cubs’ new office building that also opened this year. Photo: Bob Benenson/FamilyFarmed
Melissa Flynn, executive director of Green City Market, introduces the Seedling Fruit chef demo at the inaugural market night at Wrigley. Photo: Bob Benenson/FamilyFarmed
Peter Klein of Seedling Fruit pours refreshing smoothies with daughter Olivia after doing a chef demo at the Green City Market. Photo: Bob Benenson/FamilyFarmed
Taylor Choy, Green City Market communications coordinator, takes a spin on the bike-powered smoothie blender, with an assist from Seedling Fruit’s Olivia Klein. Photo: Bob Benenson/Family Farmed
River Valley Ranch mushrooms. Photo: Bob Benenson/FamilyFarmed
Crumb bakery features crusty artisan breads. Photo: Bob Benenson/FamilyFarmed
Bennison’s Bakery, a Green City Market vendor, baked a six-foot loaf for the bread-breaking ceremony that opened the first Thursday market at Wrigley Field. Photo: Bob Benenson/FamilyFarmed
Hoosier Mama sold beautiful pies and other pastries. Photo: Bob Benenson/FamilyFarmed
Finn’s Ranch sells meats and eggs from grass-fed livestock. Photo: Bob Benenson/FamilyFarmed
Sunflowers brighten The Flower Garden‘s stand. Photo: Bob Benenson/FamilyFarmed
1871 Dairy sells sustainably produced milk, buttermilk and drinkable yogurt at Green City Market. Photo: Bob Benenson/FamilyFarmed