How Chicago’s Farmers Markets Survive During Winter | Eater Chicago

"Opened in August 2020 in Evanston, this shop sources produce and meat from Central Illinois farmers and sells frozen prepared foods made by local chefs (including soups by Brian Enyart and empanadas from a neighborhood kitchen). Created by a documentary filmmaker in collaboration with a farmer who runs a farmer-to-farmer delivery service, the store thrived initially but saw sales fall about 25% after pandemic restrictions eased and farmers markets reopened. In response, the owner is shifting from a pickup-focused model to a more traditional grocery format with a freezer section to reduce waste and an expanded selection of preservative-free pantry items to better meet customers’ desire for ready-to-eat options; business has stabilized but remains below the pandemic peak." - Sam Nelson