Growing Food and Building Community in Evanston, Illinois

As spring approaches, Evanston residents are gearing up for another season of local food production and sharing. Despite recent unpredictable weather, community members are actively planning gardens and initiatives to increase access to fresh produce and strengthen neighborhood connections.

Vegetable Gardening in Small Spaces

The University of Illinois Extension offers guidance for successful vegetable gardening, even in limited spaces. Key considerations include selecting a location with at least six hours of sunlight daily and assessing available supplies. According to data from the USA National Phenology Network, plants are leafing out earlier, so planning is crucial.

Planting Schedules

• Late March/Early April & Mid-July/Early September: Kale, spinach, radishes, leaf lettuce, broccoli, parsley, peas, and potatoes.
• Mid-April/Early May & Mid-July/August: Frost-resistant plants like beets, carrots, cauliflower, and Swiss chard.
• May: Tender plants such as beans, corn, and tomatoes.

For those starting seeds indoors, providing adequate light and consistently moist soil is essential. Before transplanting seedlings outdoors, gradually acclimate them to the elements – a process known as “hardening off” – and choose a cloudy day or evening for the final transfer.

Food Sharing Initiatives in Evanston

Several organizations are dedicated to increasing food access and fostering community through shared gardening and produce distribution:

Edible Evanston

A subgroup of Climate Action Evanston, Edible Evanston manages the Eggleston Park Food Forest at 2100 Hartrey, off McCormick Boulevard. This permaculture-designed space grows mushrooms, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and peas for donation to local food pantries. Volunteers can participate in workdays from 10 a.m. To noon on Saturdays during the growing season. Edible Evanston also coordinates the sharing of surplus produce from community gardens at McCormick and Twiggs, donating to Connections for the Homeless Food Pantry, and from the James Park garden, donating to the Levy Center Free Farmstand. Residents can also donate produce from their home gardens by leaving it in coolers at these locations.

Evanston Grows

Evanston Grows aims to expand access to locally-grown produce and build community. The organization operates a network of six farms, with a seventh planned for Elk Park. In the past year, Evanston Grows donated 31,000 pounds of fresh organic produce to organizations including Faith Temple Food Pantry, Fleetwood-Jourdain, Foster Senior Club, Infant Welfare Society of Evanston, the Levy Center, Hill Apartments at Over the Rainbow, Northwestern’s Purple Pantry and Vineyard Food Pantry.

Other Community Efforts

A group affiliated with the Unitarian Church of Evanston donated 275 pounds of tomatoes, beans, squash, and cucumbers last season from a garden at 1515 Church Street. Evanston Community Fridges, started by ETHS students in 2019, maintains publicly accessible refrigerators at 620 Madison St., 1601 Payne St., and 1335 Dodge Ave., where anyone can take what they demand or donate surplus food and household items. Whole Foods regularly contributes to these fridges.

The Urban Canopy

The Urban Canopy, formed through a merger with Collective Resource, offers composting services and operates a farm delivering fresh produce to CSA subscribers.

Get Involved

These organizations rely on volunteers. Participating offers opportunities for exercise, social interaction, and the potential to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor. Representatives from Illinois Extension will also be available at the Evanston Farmers Market each Saturday to answer gardening questions once the season begins.