Za Pi - Bringing Neo-Neapolitan Pizza to Chicagoland farmers markets

[RobynB]

Craig:  I think some of that might depend on the location.  Here in central California, the farmer's markets where I shop are small, and many of the vendors are local and do grow what they sell.  I actually know some of them, because they are customers of my husband's outdoor power equipment dealership.  Some vendors come in from the central valley (Sacramento and south of there, which is 2-3 hours away) and sell here, but many have farms located within an hour or so of the market.  I will agree that often, the person SELLING the produce is not the farmer/farm owner, but an employee of the farm or co-op, but there are a number of tiny stands selling just a very few items (variety-wise, not quantity-wise) and usually it is the actual grower doing the selling there.

Now, in other areas I'm sure what you say is true.  I just happen to live in a farming community where a lot of the food for the whole country is grown.  I vividly recall my trip to Puerto Rico, and the absence of fruit stands that are so familiar in most tropical areas.  When we finally saw a fruit stand and stopped, we clearly saw that the fruit being sold came from Dominican Republic and was grocery-store quality.  We were told that the government regulated fruit stands and we would not find local produce sold.  Huge disappointment. 

[breadstoneovens]

I love it Derrick, the idea is great 

I was actually thinking about doing something like that on the larger farmers market.
But my wife would have actually killed me after that 

Best of luck to you.

[derricktung]

I love it Derrick, the idea is great 

I was actually thinking about doing something like that on the larger farmers market.
But my wife would have actually killed me after that 

Best of luck to you.

Thanks for the words of encouragement, Antoine!  Here's hoping the rest of the Chicagoland market will like the idea and help support it as well!

[acbova]

I had a chance to check out Za Pi and hand a nice Chicago pie with Italian Beef and Hot Giardiniera.  It was a tasty way to start my morning.  Derrick has a nice setup I may borrow a thing or two eventually.   I also bought a jar of his Hot Giardiniera from his supplier.  That is going on a Chicago inspired pie of my own.


Derrick,  Keep up the great work!   

Edits: Pick the right dang pictures!

[derricktung]

Tony, great to see you!  Thanks for coming out and for the tips!  I'm always nervous serving the enlightened PMF folks...    Great to meet you in person!