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A Favorite Summer Fruit Makes an Early Appearance
It has been a curious growing season here in the Chicago region. A relatively mild spring — with few and spotty severe weather situations such as late freezes or flooding rain — resulted in early crops, such as asparagus and strawberries, hitting markets early and staying late.
And that trend has continued into the early summer. Zucchini and other summer squash made their first appearance before the official start of summer. While strawberries have sadly made their exit, fruit farm tables are crowded with just about every other variety of berries.
Still, it is worth a double take to see long rows of peaches — perhaps the definitive summer stone fruit — at the farmers markets before July 4. The photo above is of the Ellis Family Farms stand at Tuesday's SOAR Farmers Market in downtown Chicago. As René Ellis Gelder, owner of the farm in Benton Harbor, Michigan, said, just about everything is coming in two weeks early this year
The same applies to bell and shishito peppers, among the season's most highly awaited crops, seen here at the stand of Nichols Farm & Orchard (Marengo, Illinois).
And here's the nature's bounty that came home with me: Peaches and blueberries from Ellis Family Farm; sugar snap peas, zucchini, green peppers and hothouse heirloom tomatoes from Nichols; bulb onions and basil from Lane's End Farm (Lowell, Indiana); and ground beef from Finn's Ranch (Buchanan, Michigan).
Wishing you a great 4th of July with lots of local food.
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