Summertime Freshness at area farmer’s markets
Shoppers delight in the fresh fruits and vegetables available at the Farmers Market in Metro Centre. This season’s kickoff is Saturday, June 6th beginning at 8:00 a.m.
Metro Centre Farmers Market officially kicks off their season on Saturday, June 6th. The Market opened in May and will continue through October with fresh produce, much of which is organic, some certified organic, flowers, pasta, herbs, honey, syrup, and much more. The Market was founded by community leader Marvin L. Goodman over 30 years ago. Goodman wanted to “promote healthy eating while bringing together consumers and farmers from all over Central Illinois to a marketplace with a wide variety of fresh, locally grown produce.”
“We still have farmers here who were some of the original ones when the market started at Metro Center over 30 years ago,” says Jason Fuller, Manager of Metro Centre and the Market. “We are proud of our longevity. The physical buildings for the Market were constructed in 1977. Most of our participants selling their products are back each year.” The Market is the “longest running, largest covered farmers market in the region.”
It is open daily from Monday through Saturday beginning at 8:00 a.m. and features the largest selection of locally grown organic and no-spray produce in Central Illinois. Most of the vendors accept FNS Food Stamps and the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers. Metro Centre will contribute a portion of this year’s Farmers Market proceeds to Heart of Illinois Harvest, a local food rescue program that helps feed the needy in the Peoria area. 5,000 cloth tote bags from the Metro Centre will also be available for shoppers. A $2.00 donation to Harvest is requested for each eco-friendly tote bag.
Metro Centre is located at 4700 N. University Street at Glen Avenue in Peoria. For additional information, please call (309) 692-6690.
The Heights Farm Market will be held every Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. from June to September at Heritage Square, 4450 N. Prospect Road. Local farm produce, plus family days, art fairs, health fairs, cooking demonstrations, music and food will be available. The Market is sponsored by The Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce. For additional information, check www.peoriaheightschamber.com/events or call Pat Jenkins, (309) 822-8645. Pat and Kathy Corso are co-managers of the market.
“We need an evening market,” says Pat, “and this offers a variety of produce, baked goods, meat, eggs, fish, free range chickens all from local vendors. Nothing is shipped in. The products are sold by the person growing (or producing) them.”
The Market opens Wednesday, June 3rd at 4:00 p.m.
Peoria RiverFront Market begins Saturday, June 6th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Liberty Park across from the Illinois Antique Center. Free parking is available. Sharon Gramm, Market Manager, says, “We continue to grow every year with more vendors.” As the season progresses, she says there will be over 60 vendors. About half of the participating vendors will offer food items such as fresh produce, local meats, berries, fresh cheeses, eggs, and more. Other vendors will offer art, blown glass, jewelry, pottery, candles and other decorative items.
“All food has to be grown within the state of Illinois,” says Sharon. “It is a producers only market. The person growing it has to be the one selling it.
Chef demonstrations by Sally Davis will be offered the first and third Saturdays of each month. The Methodist Well Mobile will be there June 6th and on various Saturdays throughout the summer. Musical entertainment will also be provided each week. Additional information is available online at riverfrontpeoria or by calling (309) 671-5555.
The fall market will be the first four Saturdays in October from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
