Posted Apr 22, 2025
If you've spent any time at Green City Market (GCM), you've likely crossed paths with Samantha “Sam” DeMichael, the founder and owner of Flock & Forage, a one-stop shop for delicious, seasonal prepared foods.
Ranging from her iconic brown butter radish toast to homemade fruit leather rollups and grab-and-go charcuterie boxes – perfect for munching on while strolling the market – Sam’s culinary creations are not only tasty but a beautiful homage to the community of GCM vendors, whose products she directly sources from.
Sam is no stranger to Green City Market – before launching Flock & Forage, she was a vendor with Mick Klüg Farms for more than eight years, which ultimately opened the door to a deeper connection with local food and its sources. Through the market, Sam began to embrace the importance of eating with the seasons and creating dishes from what was available at the time.
“I’ve always loved the GCM community where I’ve learned about the importance of seasonal eating and understanding where my food comes from,” she shared.
On a personal level, Sam has developed lifelong relationships and connections with the community of vendors at the market, bearing witness to all the many changes over the years, including both the challenges and triumphs.
“I’ve known some of these people for more than ten years,” she shared. “It feels like they have my back. The vendors inspire me every day. They work so hard, and there’s so much resilience in what they do. They make it look easy, but I know it’s not.”
It was through her time at Green City Market that the seeds for Flock & Forage were planted, as Sam noticed a growing need for fresh and healthy grab-and-go options. Originally, she had planned to name the business “Gather & Graze,” but when that name was taken, a quick pivot led to Flock & Forage.
“I think I ran it by a friend or two, and they loved it,” Sam laughed. “It was just a fitting choice, and it stuck.”
For Sam, Flock & Forage is not only about feeding the community – it’s about building long-lasting connections and fostering community and collaboration amongst her fellow vendors.
“I don’t just choose one thing – I try to include everyone,” Sam shared on how she selects the ingredients for her menu items. “At Green City Market, every vendor brings something unique, and I want to highlight that. There are so many different farmers and small businesses. It’s easy to learn from them and be inspired to get creative in the kitchen.”
Even outside of the market, Sam’s dedication to uplifting others in the community remains steadfast. She often partners with local businesses, where most recently, she hosted a pop-up at Side Practice Coffee and served seasonal bites at Edible Chicago’s spring issue party.
At the heart of these collaborations is Sam’s commitment to cultivating community. Towards the end of this month, Sam plans to open a brick-and-mortar store in West Town, which she hopes will serve as a gathering space for the community. She even held a small soft opening event during Easter weekend.
When the store opens up to the public, Sam looks forward to curating a store of local goods and products all sourced from small businesses, GCM vendors, and local artisans.
"I’d love to bring more workshops and pop-up events into the space, and keep building on this communal spirit," she shared. "Eventually, I’d love to get back into the supper club scene, too — whether it's a tomato dinner or a haunted dinner series, those are always so much fun."
For Sam, having her own space also gives her the opportunity to pay it forward in honor of those who supported her in the past.
“I’m trying to be more proactive about reaching out to people, especially now that I have this space,” she shared. “I want to give small business owners that opportunity if they want it. I feel like a lot of people did that for me.”
When asked whether she had any advice for other small business owners, Sam didn’t hesitate.
“Start at a farmers’ market,” she said. “Talk to your farmers and small businesses. I don’t know how people can go and not find it inspiring that these people work so hard to fulfill their dreams while making the world a better place.”
Through Flock & Forage, Sam is not just showcasing the beauty of seasonal cooking – she’s building bridges between the local food system and the greater Chicago community, reaching those beyond the market stall with intention and heart.
Sam’s story is a powerful reminder that food is more than sustenance - it brings people together and fuels community connection, storytelling, and resilience. As she gears up for another outdoor season at Green City Market, Sam looks forward to doing what Flock & Forage does best: celebrating the seasons, getting creative in the kitchen, and lifting up the local farmers who feed us.
Learn more about Flock & Forage here and follow their Instagram page here for upcoming events, pop-ups, and more.
At Green City Market, we believe farmers' markets are a powerful instrument of a local food system, and we're dedicated to creating widely accessible marketplaces for local food in Chicago where farmers can make a living wage and connect directly with their customers. Visit our calendar for upcoming market dates and support our nonprofit work to deepen support for Midwest farmers here.