Farmers Markets may look a bit different this year, but it’s more important than ever to be supporting local farmers. Not only does local food taste better, it’s better for your local community. Whether you’re looking to support local farmers in your community or taste some of the freshest produce in your area, here are some simple ways to support local farmers in your community. 

Sign Up for a CSA Box
One way to support your local food systems includes subscribing to CSA boxes, or a Community Supported Agriculture box. CSAs are a weekly or monthly subscription model to locally grown seasonal fruit and vegetables from nearby farmers, providing you with the freshest produce without having to search the grocery store. It’s an easy way to connect with local farmers, while supporting their business directly. 



Buy Fresh Produce at Your Local Farmers Market
Grab a reusable bag or two and journey to your local farmers market to pick up the fresh produce for the week. Not only will you find your seasonal berries and greens to use in recipes like Summer Fruit Bruschetta and an Asparagus Galette, but you will also have a chance to speak to and connect with the farmers who grew those goods, intensifying your connection between the food you eat and the people who grow it. 



Look for Local Produce Signage at the Grocery Store
At most grocery stores, you are still able to support your local community and farmers. Signs stating “Locally Grown,” “Local Produce,” and the like will steer you toward aiding your area’s farmers, putting the money you spend right back into the local community.



Share the Beauty of Fresh Produce
Use your social platforms and your voice to showcase these farms and their products. Seasonal produce is beautiful on it’s own, or in colorful, Instagrammable dishes like Blueberry Crumble Pie or Sauteed Cherry Tomatoes. Alternatively, leave a positive review or bring a friend along on your next trip to the market. Don’t forget to follow your favorite farms and local food organizations, too!

Looking to Support Local in Chicago?
We’re partnering up with three Chicago organizations looking to grow the local food movement. These organizations are working to reduce food waste and help farmers replace revenue lost from restaurants and farmers markets in light of Covid-19. 

Local to Chicago? Follow, purchase from, and share the great work they are doing. Learn more below.

Irv & Shelly’s Fresh Picks
Sign up for a seasonal Fresh Picks Box to experience the very best of local. Fresh Picks offers a large variety of boxes depending on your preferences, ranging in both sizes and products! You can also customize your box and add a la carte produce, meats, dairy, baked goods and locally crafted groceries to your order each week! 

Fresh Picks' mission is to bring Chicagoland convenient, reliable access to the best of local & organic foods, while simultaneously supporting small, family-owned farms and purveyors. This mission helps to fuel the local economy, protects & preserves our midwestern environment and there are significant health benefits to eating local, sustainably sourced food. Fresh Picks is also a family-run small business that has been serving Chicagoland customers for almost 15 years. They value community and customer service above all else!



Local Foods
Shop online with delivery through Mercato straight to your doorstep, or purchase online for contactless pick up. Stay tuned for their produce boxes coming soon. 

Local Foods works directly with small, local farms and vendors to ensure quality, freshness are achieved. Through their work they continue to build a robust community that encourages the best practices and supports our local food systems. You can order all of Local Foods produce and other local products online for contactless pickup or delivery through Mercato.


Green City Market
Pre-order for contactless pickup at multiple locations or use the WhatsGood App to get it delivered right to your door with home delivery every Wednesday. You'll receive fresh, seasonal produce, meats, eggs, breads, soups, jams, pickles and more!

Green City Market is paving a path for the local food economy in the Midwest by supporting small, family farmers from Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana. What began as a startup in an alley next to the Chicago Theater in 1998 is now one of the best sustainable markets in the country. Green City Market not only connects consumers with farmers, but also focuses on educating consumers and the next generation of eaters, as well as increasing access to local, healthy, sustainable food.