Naturally Chicago, the trade association for the region's Natural Products industry, and Local Food Forum, a publication dedicated to efforts to build a better food system, invite you to join them for a tour of the 61st St. Farmers Market on Saturday, July 13, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

The 61st Street Farmers Market is located at 6100 S. Blackstone Ave, at the north end of the Woodlawn community and adjacent to Hyde Park and University of Chicago. It is the biggest farmers market on Chicago's South Side, and also is one of the region's most mission-driven markets. It is operated by the Experimental Station non-profit, and Connie Spreen, executive director since 2007, will lead the tour.

Experimental Station also runs the Link Up Illinois program, which provides funding to farmers markets and other retail purveyors of healthy and sustainably produced foods to enable them to double the value of public food assistance benefits. Matthew Ruffi, who heads the program, will also share information on the tour. You will also get to meet Emily Cross, who manages the 61st Street Farmers Market.

And we'll have at least one special guest: Sebastian White, founder and head of the visionary non-profit The Evolved Network, which works with underprivileged youths to provide them with food education and skills through farm-to-table experiences.

The event is scheduled to run about an hour, but Naturally Chicago and Local Food Forum urge you to come early or linger to shop for beautiful peak season food and support our local farmers!

Some of the organizers will have lunch afterwards at Daisy's Po'Boy and Tavern on the north side of the U of C campus, a casual Cajun-focused restaurant by James Beard Award-winning Chef Erick Williams. Lunch is optional and attendees will be responsible for paying for their meal.

To learn more about 61st Street Farmers Market, click here​.

To learn more about Naturally Chicago, click here​.

To learn more about Local Food Forum, click here​.