Palatine Farmers’ Market Focuses on Local, Organic, Sustainable and Healthful

This season, customers are noticing an emphasis on sustainable practices by our farm vendors.  Tom Anderson’s Backyard Garden is just a few blocks from the Market making them the closest, although local is defined as within 100 miles of the Market.  “All our vendors are local by definition.  Most of our produce vendors are certified organic or have adopted organic practices.  Just ask them,” said Marg Duer, Village Clerk and Manager of the Palatine Farmers’ Market since she opened it 23 years ago.

Peter Grubbe’s organic Middlebury Farms in Barrington and Harvard, IL,  and “the Indiana Boys” Michael and Daniel’s Richert/Phillip’s Farms, located in Indiana, are both certified organic and offer CSA’s to loyal customers.

From just across the border in Wisconsin, Jordan Koster, Geneva Lakes Produce brings a huge selection of vegetables from his family farm in addition to freshly harvested mushrooms.

Scott of Hasselmann Family Farms raises animals strictly without hormones, anti-biotics and pesticides.  His livestock and chickens are all free-range, organically fed.  If you call that old fashioned, it is.  It’s natural.  Try his fresh eggs.

For customers looking for lean red meat, see Ron Lester’s Bison Farm for his bison steaks.  There’s nothing tenderer.  He raises the buffalo on the open range.  Ron knows quality and brings the best from lakes and seas to create gourmet surf and turf combinations.  Check his variety of cheeses, sausages, jerky, Amish butter and naturally-colored fresh eggs!

Dolly Mertens of Wild Flour Bakery uses multi-grains to create breads that do not contain any fats/oils, sugar, eggs, dairy, or preservatives, only top quality flours, whole grains and flax seeds for heart-healthy, delicious, old-world breads. M. Bella’s Pies cannot be beat for flavor or freshness.

Artisan breads in the Mediterranean traditions are available from High Rise Bakery.  Sue Valentine prepares her own soups, sauces, and Pasta by Sue with the finest ingredients –fresh vegetables and herbs for incomparable flavor.

That Pickle Guy’s pickles are fresh, crisp and flavorful.  Pickles and spicy olive muffalata are all he does.  And, Michigan fruit is what Mike Churchill of Churchill’s Orchards knows, and he brings the very best to Palatine every Saturday, starting in June.

Lew’s Brews is returned to the Market in June with the best organic coffee beans and brewed coffee.

New this season is Presto Pesto joining Sasha’s dressings and marinades to offer the best gourmet condiments.  Sampling is recommended from these vendors and from Jimmy’s Bag o’ Donuts, served piping hot.  Join the customers who bring their bucket for refills each week.

Award winning Pasquale’s Pizza joined the Market in June with handcrafted pizzas, hot from their on-site oven.  Find them near the train station.

Also find locally grown cut flowers and special bouquets from Kathy’s own Celebrate Gardens, hand-crafted natural soaps, cleaning solutions and lotions hand-crafted by mom and daughter Diane and Courtney’s Journey to Greendom.  Find Gil’s Real Life Art Palatine pottery, Gourds by Kristine, and gardening answers from Anne and other local U of IL Master Gardeners.

Another valued service is provided by Kris Southard sharpening knives, scissors, axes, and mower blades.

Barb Rosny welcomes pets to her booth, Maggie’s Munchies, offering both gourmet vegetarian treats and meat products for pets to enjoy.

Fruits and vegetables from down the street, to La Spiceria spices and Olives 4 You from around the world; it’s all at the Palatine Farmers’ Market every Saturday 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Palatine Train Station, Smith and Wood Streets.