WBEZ publishes 2026 Chicago farmers market guide

WBEZ published a 2026 guide to farmers markets across Chicago on May 20, adding updated dates, programming details and prepared-food offerings for the season. The guide said it covers 100-plus markets across the metro Chicago area and was reported by Andjela Padejski and Ruby Rosenthal. (wbez.org) Chicago has “a wealth of farmers markets,” the article said, but reliable information can be scattered across websites and social media. The Chicago Sun-Times published a companion suburban guide on May 20 covering 54 markets across suburban Chicago. (chicago.suntimes.com) That list said it is organized by region and then by day of the week, with each entry including 2026 hours and dates of operation, addresses, website and social links, added features such as live music or specialty vendors, and whether Illinois Link cards are accepted. (wbez.org) ### How broad is the Chicago guide? WBEZ said its annual city guide spans “100-plus markets across the metro Chicago area.” The article described the list as freshly updated for 2026 and focused on practical planning details including dates, programming and prepared-food options. (wbez.org) Chicago Sun-Times pages carrying the same city guide said readers looking for suburban markets should use a separate 2026 suburbs list. The suburban guide, in turn, said readers would find information for 49 city markets in its city counterpart. (chicago.suntimes.com) ### What does the guide try to solve for readers? WBEZ said one problem is fragmented information. The city guide said market details are often spread across websites and social media, making it harder for shoppers to compare schedules and offerings in one place. The suburban guide used a similar service format. (wbez.org) Each listing includes operating dates and hours, location information, links, extra programming notes and payment-access details tied to Illinois Link acceptance. ### What kinds of details are included beyond produce? (chicago.suntimes.com) The May 20 guides said they track more than market dates. WBEZ highlighted programming and prepared-food offerings in the city roundup, while the suburban guide said it flags “bells and whistles” including live music and specialty vendors beyond farm produce. (wbez.org) A separate May 20 feature from WBEZ and the Sun-Times highlighted a dozen Chicago-area markets worth visiting this season. That story cited examples including complimentary rides for seniors to and from the Oak Park Farmers’ Market and free school uniforms at Bronzeville City Market provided by the Struggling Black Girl Magic Club. (chicago.suntimes.com) ### Who put the guides together? The city guide was by Andjela Padejski and Ruby Rosenthal, according to WBEZ and the Sun-Times version of the article. The suburban guide appeared in the Sun-Times on May 20 and was also mirrored on WBEZ’s site. (wbez.org) WBEZ’s May 20 newsletter, The Rundown, also pointed readers to the city guide the same day it was published. The newsletter repeated the point that Chicago market information can be hard to track across separate online sources. ### Where do readers go next? The May 20 city guide remains available on WBEZ and on the Chicago Sun-Times site under Food & Drink coverage. (chicago.suntimes.com) The suburban companion guide, also dated May 20, is posted on the Sun-Times and lists 54 suburban markets with 2026 schedules and access details. (wbez.org 1) (wbez.org 2)