Since moving to downtown Skokie three years ago, I am within walking distance of the weekly farmers market. When I am home, I start every Sunday finding fresh breads, produce and locally produced foods.

Debuting in June 1975, Skokie Farmers Market is celebrating 45 years of serving the community and supporting local farming. The farmers market is also host to the Skokie Produce Initiative. At the end of each day of the market, farmers donate leftovers to Niles Township Food Pantry. More than 4,000 pounds of food have been donated this season.

My weekly take always includes fresh fruit and vegetables, but I also use the market to try different cheeses, like Edam from the Netherlands and breads like proja from Croatia. My favorites are still Swiss cheese and sourdough bread, but I ventured out of my comfort zone and discovered many other great choices.

Yesterday I found a delicious sweet cherry jam and a red raspberry-jalapeno jam, which was beautifully balanced: sweet, tart and hot. I also picked up a few jars of locally produced honey. All of these spreads will go well with the crusty Italian bread I also bought.

In addition to the great food finds, I really enjoy the visual aspect. I love seeing the green, red and yellow apples; the deep-blue blueberries; the purple plums and eggplants. They look almost too beautiful to eat.

I’m always sad to see the last day of the Farmers’ Market. With only a few more Sunday events this year, I plan on enjoying it while it lasts.

— John Wroblewski, online writer