Farmers' Markets in Central Illinois: Organic Foods, Gourmet Pastries, Crafts, and More

If you have never attended a farmers' market, you may expect to encounter a version of the roadside stands that pop up during the summer: a few farmers gathered around their displays of tomatoes and sweet corn. However, farmers' markets held in many city centers have grown into crowded festivals that include wine tasting, cooking demonstrations, and gourmet baked goods, as well as organically grown produce from local farmers.

In the central Illinois area, each major city holds at least one well-known farmers' market during the summer months, and many smaller towns host them as well. Farmers' markets are an excellent opportunity for local farmers, chefs, and artisans to gain publicity for their products, and a fun way for consumers to sample products to which they may not otherwise have convenient access.

Some tips before you go:

Get there early. Vendors set up before the official opening time, and if you sleep in, they might run out of product (and free samples) by the time you get there. Also, in July and August, you will be glad you came early to avoid the heat.

Check the newspaper or the market's website for events. Certain events, like cooking demonstrations, may only happen at specific times. You don't want to miss out. Also, check to see what produce is in season. Here is a handy guide from the Illinois Department of Agriculture: http://www.agr.state.il.us/markets/WhatsInSeason.pdf

Before you leave, put a cooler and a large cardboard box in the car. The cooler will protect perishable items while you're browsing the stands, and the box will keep plants and homemade cakes and pies from toppling over on the way home.

In the central Illinois area, visit these established farmers' markets:

Springfield

The capitol city features two major farmers' markets. The oldest, running for over eight years now, is the Old Capitol Farmers' Market on Adams Street between 3^rd and 5^th Streets in the heart of downtown. The market is open every Wednesday and Saturday, 8a.m. - 1p.m., from May to October. For a less-crowded experience, go on a Wednesday. For the hustle and bustle, celebrity chef demonstrations, and live music, go on a Saturday.

http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/M6566

Springfield's newest farmers' market is the Illinois Products Farmers' Market, held in the Commodities Pavilion at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Thursday evenings, 4p.m. - 7p.m. This market features products exclusively from Illinois-based companies and producers, and with the evening hours and a wine garden, this market may appeal to a younger crowd.

http://www.agr.state.il.us/nightmarket/

Jacksonville

About forty miles west of Springfield at 901 W. Morton Ave. in Jacksonville, is the Jacksonville Farmers' Market at Lincoln Square,open three days a week, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 7a.m. to noon, from May to October. The market's website posts weekly updates as to what is available in the market each week, and includes links to the best recipes featuring seasonal fruits and vegetables.

http://www.jaxfresh.org/

Decatur

Forty miles east of Springfield, the City Centre of Decatur hosts the Decatur Farmers' Market in Central Park, downtown, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8a.m. - 1p.m., from June through October. The market is not open on certain dates during the season, so check the schedule before going. This market has many craft and baked goods vendors, as well as fresh produce.

http://www.downtowndecatur.com/Farmers%20Market%20index.html

For locations and schedules of more farmers' markets all over Illinois, visit the Illinois Department of Agriculture website at: http://www.agr.state.il.us/markets/farmers/