‘Online Farmers Market’ Market Wagon Opens New Delivery Hub in Chicago

Market Wagon has launched its online farmers market and delivery service in the Chicago area, offering residents in the Will, Cook, Kendall, McHenry, DeKalb, DuPage and Kane counties in Illinois, as well as Lake County in Indiana, the ability to order from their favorite local farms and artisanal food vendors.

A 2021 WGB Remarkable Independent, Market Wagon operates in 20 local markets in the Midwest, including St. Louis, Indianapolis, Nashville, Cincinnati and Louisville, Ky., and said its goal is to be in 50 markets by the end of this year.

The newest Chicago-Lakeshore hub is one of three that can serve the Chicago area, with others in Northern Illinois and Southeast Wisconsin.

“We have attracted plenty of attention from the Chicago-Lakeshore shoppers and food producers eager for our launch. Our online store contains everything you'd expect to find at a physical farmers market: local farm-fresh eggs, dairy, meat, produce, baked goods and more," said Market Wagon co-founder Dan Brunner in a release.

The service allows customers to browse locally grown products on their computer or smartphone throughout the week and place an order from multiple local vendors with one single checkout. Orders are delivered each Friday afternoon in insulated totes using ice packs as needed to preserve freshness.

"This business is all about giving consumers more ways and easier access to buy local­—and giving farmers and food producers more ways to reach them," said co-founder Nick Carter. "By bringing the same products you'd expect at a local farmers market into an online shop, we are increasing the market for local farms and artisans, and ultimately it's those vendors that win."

More than 470 local products are available to choose from in the market, with more vendors loading new products every day, the company said.