Geneva Green Market: Geneva, Illinois - A Local Food Green Farmers Market

The Kane County Chronicle did a cover story featuring the Fox Valley Farmers Markets and local food on August 8, 2008 entitled Think Local, Eat Local: Fueled by‚ buy local trend, farmers markets remain popular choice, by Jonathan Bilyk:

For more than 25 years, she and her husband, Phil, had hawked their homegrown produce at the Downers Grove farmers market.

But as fuel costs grew, the couple, owners of Stojan Produce in Maple Park, had to cut one of their weekly market appearances loose.

And Downers Grove was the one to go this year, swapped for a weekly appearance at the Campton Hills open-air market.

So, Stojan said she is happy to see that business at the other seven markets at which she and her husband vend their produce – including the markets in St. Charles, Batavia and Elburn – appears to be holding steady or, in some instances, picking up this year.

“We seem to be going along smoothly,” Stojan said. Read More…

Kane County Chronicle featured a story entitled: Going Green ’should be for everyone’ Museum exhibit showcases environmental sustainability in the Sunday July 27, 2008 edition.

The SmartHome exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry shows how saving energy and conserving resources are within everyones reach.

“Green should be for everyone,” said Michelle Kaufamnn, the architect who designed the SmartHome.”

“Green housing is growing even while the overall housing market is suffering,” said Nate Kredich, vice president for residential market development of the U.S. Green Building Council.

“The modular home, which Kaufmann said uses less than half the energy and a third of the water of traditional homes, includes a kitchen with a countertop composter and a sink made from concrete and fly ash, a byproduct of burning coal. Water from the bathroom sink is diverted to the toilet, where it is used for flushing. A bicycle in the children’s bedroom must be peddled for 30 minutes to charge a battery to power the video games.

This is a great learning opportunity for all! Take the Metra to Ogilvie and catch the # 10 Bus from State Street to the Museum for the afternoon. Consult the newly created partnership between Google Transit and the City of Chicago for directions (a little flaky still, but awesome) or visit the Museum of Science and Industrys’ directions page.

The Kane County Chronicle covered the record turnout of community support and enthusiasm for the opening day of the Geneva Green Market in the Fox River Valley with a cover story in the June 27 edition entitled “Geneva Green Market a Big Hit“:

… By the end of his 30-minute demonstration, Lycan paired the scallops he brought with arugula, carrots, eggplant and scallions, all of which were available at Thursday’s opening of the Geneva Green Market on River Lane.

Rob Murphy of Curds & Whey Cheese Shoppe, which is inside Inglenook Pantry in Geneva, said he sells more than 30 types of cheese and has lots of recipes that he’s willing to share.

… For those who don’t like to cook, Lycan said starting in July, Niche Restaurant will offer meals made with produce from two local farms and the Geneva Green Market.

For the next three months, six-course tasting menus will be available from Tuesday through Friday. At least one item from the farms or market will be used in each course, Lycan said.

Read the full article online at the Kane County Chronicle online here.

The Geneva Green Market was honored to receive the Kane County Chronicle’s “Best of the Fox 2008” Readers’ Choice Award, for the Best Farmers Market 2008. Thanks to the readers who voted for us and we look forward to seeing you at the market starting June 26th at 75 North River Lane, Geneva Illinois and making this the best market season yet!

Nate Sumner and Dan Fernandes, of Rebel Food Company, were featured on the front page of the Kane County Chronicle, June 12, 2008 edition in an article entitled Rebels with a carrot: Founders hope organic farm holds its own at Kane markets:

Steve Arnold, manager for the Kane County Farm Bureau, said that there has been increasing interest in organic ventures… “As a prep cook, my chef would give me 20 bucks and say, ‘Get the best,’” Sumner said. “My favorite part of it was talking to all the farmers but I never grew anything on my own.” He started a garden two years ago when his wife gave him five packs of seeds for Easter. He later interned at Green Earth Institute in Naperville. The institute focuses on training organic farmers.

They are planting heirloom crops with numerous varieties. “The more diversity makes sure you have better yields,” Sumner said. The two hope to become mainstays at Kane County farmers markets, starting with Geneva’s Green Market…

Visit Rebel Food Co online at www.localharvest.org/farms/M19397