After weeks of relying on dining hall meals, Maya Segal of Raleigh, North Carolina, saw the Evanston Farmers’ Market as a chance to find healthier options and explore the city beyond the usual cherubs hangouts like Colectivo or Starbucks.
“It was nice to see all the fresh produce — the fruits, vegetables, even baked goods, breads and cheeses — especially because the produce section in Sargent has been a little lackluster,” Segal said. “I feel like I’ve been missing some fresh fruit in my diet.”
Nora Ahearn of Dallas said Evanston’s market felt quieter and simpler than the ones in her home state, but that was part of its charm.
“There were some pastries and breads there that seemed really good, and the fruit was pretty cheap at one stand,” Ahearn said. “It was also better than what you’d get at the grocery store. It’s just a really fun experience, especially if you don’t live in a small town and you’re not used to going to local farmers’ markets.”
Ahearn said she was struck by how community-centered the market felt, with residents sitting along the outskirts painting what they saw and families grocery shopping together.
“It showed me that even though Evanston is right next to a big city like Chicago, it’s its own separate community,” Ahearn said. “Evanston has its own culture and its own traditions.”
