GIPNA - Independence Park Farmers Market

More than just a farmers market

Mema’s is More than “Meats” the Eye!

 Roberta Wilk 

No one walking around the Independence Park Farmers Market can miss the beautiful Labrador retriever service dogs, Annie and Cara, who accompany their owners, Diane and Ken Klein, who have a passion for selling Mema’s Jams and high-quality meats. Their other passion is working with the non-profit Canines 4 Comfort, providers of dogs for comfort, companionship, and support for those in need of service dogs. 

Ken, educated in the physics field, had a stroke fourteen years ago which impaired his ability to do simple math. But that didn’t stop him from maintaining his business because as Diane says, revealing this couples’ rich sense of humor, “we just have them add up their bills themselves.” 

The Kleins have made a true difference in the lives of so many. Their good friend, Sue Schreier, was diagnosed with MS about 20 years ago and after having lost her service dog, the Kleins came to the rescue. They worked with Shamie for ten months to get him to pass the service dog test, and he became Sue’s perfect companion. Sue proclaims, “this was truly a life changing and lifesaving gift.”

The Kleins are proud of their comfort dog work but also enjoy their other passion: selling their Mema Jams and quality meats for the last twelve years at the market. The name “Mema” for the jam evolved from Diane’s daughter, Julie, saying to her toddler, Tiegen, “that’s my mom.” Tiegen responded by calling her Mema and what better name for the jam than Mema’s Jam. The Kleins’ grandchildren, Tiegen and Reid, now teens, enjoy helping out at the market which pleases their grandparents. 

Next time you are at the market, say hello to the dogs and get some of the delicious low sugar and savory homemade Mema Jams, and the grass-fed beef and pork. The Kleins are proud that their quality sausages are nitrate free and have no fillers. 

And the Farmers Market is proud to have the Kleins share their passions every Farmers Market. 

Farmers Market Goes Global

Greg Shea

If you’ve been to the Independence Park Farmers Market this summer, you may have noticed a new vendor selling produce you wouldn’t normally stumble on at the grocery store. And if you’ve tried any, you may have asked, “How can I get more?”

They are members of the Global Garden Refugee Training Farm, an organization based out of the Albany Park neighborhood that provides farming opportunities for refugee families as well as supplemental income. (See their website at www.globalgardenfarm.org)

The farmers at the Farmers Market are refugees from Burma (now referred to by the non-English name of Myanmar) and have joined the market this year to share their unique products with our neighborhood. 

At the next market, be sure to say hi to Pak Suan, Than Nye Oo and Pah Ka Tee. 

Unique Produce with Burmese Roots

Products sold at the Farmers Market by the Global Garden Refugee Farm can open new avenues of cooking inspiration. A quick sample of products that may be new to you.

Water Spinach – Water spinach is great in a stir fry, but not actually related to spinach. It is from the Morning Glory family of vegetables. 

Amaranth – Amaranth has a similar flavor to spinach and is a leafy vegetable. You can use it in stir fry, salads or in soups or curries.

Long Beans – They are a little sweeter than regular green beans and can be eaten raw or cooked like normal green beans. 

Bittermelon – This is a warty fruit that is related to cucumbers. Like the name says, it is bitter and a bit of an acquired taste, but you can reduce the bitter taste by draining of salting it. It is used in curries.