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Read the press release here.

Pop-Up Farmers Market in Englewood Will Hand Out Fresh Produce Saturday

 Matt Vetter (from left), vice president of production; Brian Vetter, executive vice president of business development; and Greg Vetter.
Matt Vetter (from left), vice president of production; Brian Vetter, executive vice president of business development; and Greg Vetter.
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Tessemae’s All Natural

ENGLEWOOD — Englewood residents are invited to a pop-up farmers market on Saturday where they will receive free fruit and vegetables.

From 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Team Englewood Academy, 6201 S. Stewart Ave., people from the neighborhood can come out and watch cooking demonstrations, receive easy recipes, listen to music and more.

The event is sponsored by Tessemae’s All Natural, a Maryland-based organic condiment company, along with Crop Circles, a new national campaign that aims to end the food desert issue across the country, among a host of other partners.

Greg Vetter, who launched Tessemae’s in 2009 with his brothers Brian and Matt, said Crop Circles will serve free fresh produce to an estimated 2,500 residents.

“You have to get in the streets, and you got to try and actually do something,” Vetter said.

“We’re not saying that this Crop Circles event is going to end food deserts in the United States, but what we are saying is that we are willing to do something in actual food deserts. We’re going to give people free produce, show them how to use it, where they can buy it," he said.

Vetter said local chefs from Englewood will participate in a cook-off. There will be educational workshops where people can learn how to make easy, healthy meals at home.

“I think the big issue, especially in areas where they don’t have access to fresh food, is when you do get it, what do you do with it?” Vetter said. People at the farmers market will show attendees how to transform raw vegetables into delicious dishes.

He said his company is exploring ways where his customers could, for instance, opt to donate some produce to the Chicago farmers market when they purchase something online.

Other partners in the venture include Whole Foods Market, the City of Chicago, Garden Highway, The Gardeners, Chicago Eco House, Growing Home and Growing Power.

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