An early spring will bring not only May flowers to the farmers markets this year, but also an abundance of farm-fresh produce earlier than usual, while preparations for Chicago's first NATO summit will delay two downtown markets.

The Daley Plaza farmers market opens May 24 and the Federal Plaza market on May 29, each two weeks later than last year. Both openings were pushed off because of the NATO summit, May 20-21, according to the mayor's office, instead of confusing patrons with a rotating schedule, of opening then closing then opening again.

Chicago will have more than 40 farmers markets this year, including five new ones in so-called food deserts.

"Farmers markets are a welcome addition to every Chicago neighborhood, and we are excited to be opening five new markets in food deserts," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. "These markets will provide healthy options for people whose neighborhoods are underserved by traditional grocery stores, and at the same time, provide cooking demonstrations, gardening tips and additional information on nutrition."

The new markets include Columbus Park, La Follette Park, Austin Town Hall, Mount Ebenezer Baptist Church and Healing Temple Church (see details in listing). All five will accept Link cards and also serve as locations for eligible residents to apply for Link and receive referrals to other social services.

Farmer Josh Dotson, 26, who owns his family's 30-acre farm in Beecher, Ill., said the unseasonably warm weather has contributed to a robust crop to take to market this year.

"We've got a two-week jump on things this year," Dotson said. "We'll have product a few weeks earlier, so we can sell earlier. Flowers and potted herbs are almost ready right now, so everything will look a little bigger than usual this year and ready to sell."

Dotson's first market is Saturday at Lincoln Park High School, followed by Division Street, Lincoln Square and Pullman in July.

CHICAGO MARKETS

Chicago markets are listed by days of the week, but are subject to change, and dates and times vary by market. For more information, call the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events at 312-744-3316, or go to chicagofarmersmarkets.us.

* indicates independently managed markets. NEW means a market launching this year. Link designates markets that accept the card.

SUNDAY

Beverly: 95th Street and Longwood Drive, May 13-Oct. 28 (Link)

*Glenwood: 6900 N. Glenwood Ave., between Morse and Lunt avenues, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. June 3-Oct. 28 (Link)

Healing Temple Church: NEW. 4941 W. Chicago Ave., 2-5 p.m. June 24-Oct. 28 (Link)

*Independence Park: 3945 N. Springfield Ave., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. June 10, 24; July 8, 22; Aug. 12, 26; Sept. 9, 23; Oct. 14, 28

* Jefferson Park: Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., 10 a.m.-2 p.m., June 24-Oct. 21

*Logan Square: Logan Boulevard and Milwaukee Avenue, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 3-Oct. 28 (Link)

* Pilsen Community Market: 1800 S. Halsted St., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 3-Oct. 28

* Portage Park: Central and Berteau avenues, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 3-Oct. 7 (Link)

Wicker Park/Bucktown: Wicker Park and Damen Avenue, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. June 3-Oct. 28 (Link)

MONDAY

Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences: 3857 W. 111th St., 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. June 18-Oct. 29

*Loyola: 6542 N. Sheridan Road, 3-7 p.m. June 11-Sept. 24; then 2:30-6:30 p.m. through Oct. 15 (Link)

TUESDAY

Columbus Park: NEW. Harrison Street and Central Avenue, 1-7 p.m. June 26-Oct. 30

Federal Plaza: Adams and Dearborn streets, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. May 29-Oct. 30 (Link)

Lincoln Square: Lincoln, Leland and Western avenues, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. June 5-Oct. 30 (Link)

Museum of Contemporary Art/Streeterville: 220 E. Chicago Ave., 7 a.m.-3 p.m. June 5-Oct. 30

WEDNESDAY

* Andersonville: Berwyn Avenue between Clark Street and Ashland Avenue, 3-8 p.m. June 13-Oct. 17 (Link)

*Covenant Bank- North Lawndale Farmers Market: 1111 S. Homan Ave., 8 a.m.-1 p.m. June 13-Oct. 10 (Link)

*Green City Market: South end of Lincoln Park, between Clark Street and Stockton Drive, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. through Oct. 31 (Link)

Pullman: Arcade Park, 111th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue, 7 a.m.-noon July 11-Oct. 31 (Link)

*Seaway Bank: 87th Street and Langley Avenue, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. July 25-Sept. 26

61st Street: 6100 S. Blackstone Ave., 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 12-Oct. 27 (Link)

South Shore: Urban Partnership Bank, 70th Street and Jeffrey Boulevard, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. June 6-Oct. 31 (Link)

LaFollette Park: NEW. 1333 N. Laramie Ave., 1-7 p.m. June 20-Oct. 24 (Link)

*Wheeler Mansion Market: 2020 S. Calumet Ave., 4-8 p.m. June 6-Oct. 31

*Wood Street Farm Stand: 5814 S. Wood St., 1-4 p.m. through Oct. 24 (Link)

THURSDAY

Austin Town Hall: NEW. Lake Street and Central Avenue, 1-7 p.m. June 28-Oct. 25 (Link)

Daley Plaza: Washington and Dearborn streets, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. May 24-Oct. 18 (Link)

Dunning/Eli's Cheesecake/Wright College: Eli's Cheesecake parking lot, 6701 W. Forest Preserve Drive, 7 a.m. -1 p.m., June 14-Oct. 25

Hyde Park: Harold Washington Park, 53rd Street and Hyde Park Boulevard, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. June 7-Oct. 25 (Link)

* Uptown: Weiss Memorial Hospital, 4646 N. Marine Drive, 8-10 a.m. June 21-Oct. 25

Willis Tower Plaza: 233 S. Wacker Drive, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. June 14-Oct. 25

SATURDAY

Bridgeport: 35th Street and Wallace Avenue, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., June 16-Oct. 6 (Link)

* Bronzeville Community Market: 4400 S. Cottage Grove Ave., 8 a.m.-1 p.m. June 16-Oct. 27 (Link)

Division Street: Division Street between State and Clark streets, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. May 12-Oct. 27 (Link)

Eden Place: 4417 S. Stewart Ave., 8 a.m.-3 p.m. May 19-Oct. 20 (Link)

Green City Market: See Wednesday listing.

Lincoln Park: Lincoln Park High School, Armitage and Orchard avenues, 7 a.m.- 1 p.m. May 12-Oct. 27

Mount Ebenezer Baptist Church: (NEW) 3555 W. Huron St., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 30-Oct. 27 (Link)

*Nettelhorst French Market: Broadway and Melrose Avenue, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. through Nov. 3

North Center: North Center Town Square, Damen and Lincoln avenues, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. June 16-Oct. 27

Printers Row: Printers Row Park, Polk and Dearborn streets, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. June 9-Oct. 27

Southport: Blaine School, Grace Street and Southport Avenue, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. June 23-Sept. 8