Every day this summer in communities across Illinois, farmers are coming together to share a harvest that’s feeding local families. The result is more viable regional economies, increased access to fresh, nutritious food and improved social networks that help keep communities strong. United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has proclaimed August 3 – 9 as National Farmers Market Week for the past 15 years. Since that time, the number of farmers markets has more than tripled, from 2,863 markets in 2000 to over 8,000 in 2013.
Illinois is the third largest state in the number of farmers markets, behind California and New York. Today, there are well over 300 farmers markets in Illinois alone, compared to 97 markets in 1994. These numbers have continued to rise in 2014 as farmers markets become fresh food mainstays for shoppers across all socio-economic, political, and ethnic ranges. Farmers markets bolster local economies, improve community health, and bring diverse groups of people together through a shared social space.
To celebrate the more than 8,000 farmers markets across the country, the United States Postal Service is issuing four Farmers Market postage stamps this summer. The USPS first-day ceremony will occur at the Freshfarm Market near the White House in Washington, DC on August 7, 2014. Use of the stamps will promote awareness of the bounty of American agriculture and the high quality produce available at farmers markets in the United States. To promote awareness of farming and local farmers markets, farmers and consumers should buy and use the stamps on their outgoing mail. Sheets of 20 Farmers Market stamps sell for $9.80 and will be available nationwide on August 7th through local post offices.
Illinois Farmers Markets are growing healthy farms, healthy people, and healthy communities. “Farmers markets support small family farms, boost the local economy, create local business and employment opportunities and promote diverse, sustainable farming operations across the country”, says Pat Stieren, Executive Director for the Illinois Farmers Market Association (IFMA). Now more than ever, farmers markets serve as anchors across communities, positively influencing community health and wealth.
IFMA encourages everyone to shop at your local farmers market this week and tell your farmers how much you appreciate their hard work and local food products. To find a farmers market near you, visit the Illinois Department of Agriculture CLICK HERE website.
Please visit the IFMA CLICK HERE website to learn more about farmers market programs and activities. Below are just some of the farmers market events being planned this week.
2014 National Farmers Market Week Celebrations in Illinois
From August 3-9, 2014, thousands of farmers markets across the country will celebrate National Farmers Market week. IFMA is pleased to have many Illinois farmers markets celebrating National Farmers Market Week. Check out these events and activities happening at a farmers market near you.
Farmers Market at St. John’s: Wednesday, August 6th from 3-7 p.m.
•Will conduct cooking demonstrations and offer tastings of grilled vegetables and fruits from market vendors.
•Will host a special game for shoppers to find grilling supplies hidden in plain sight in vendor tents. Items will include a salt shaker, spatula, basting brush, etc. Patrons who participate will then have a chance to win a coupon to use on their next visit to the market.
•Giving away recipes.
Palos Heights: Wednesday, August 6th from 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
•The Library will host a story hour at 10 a.m.
•Will host a cooking demonstration at 11 a.m.
•The Palos Heights Mayor will read a proclamation at the August 5th regularly scheduled board meeting.
Swansea Farmers Market: Thursday, August 7th from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
•Will offer live music by Mark Peebles.
•Will host a watermelon seed spitting contest.
•Will host a children’s tent full of fun activities.
•The Girl Scouts will be on hand to sell root beer floats.
•The Swansea Patriots will be on hand to sell brats and hotdogs.
•There will be homing pigeon demonstrations at 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.
•A golf cart valet will be available throughout the day for all customers.
Manteno Chamber of Commerce Farmers Market: Thursday, August 7th from 4-7 p.m.
•Will offer live music and kids’ activities
•The Mayor of Manteno will announce National Farmers Market Week at the scheduled board meeting of the week of August 4th.
Mundeline Farmers Market: Friday, August 8th from 3-7 p.m.
•There will be a coloring contest for kids.
•A raffle for a market basket.
•Vocalist Emily Bednar will perform from 4-6 p.m.
•Mundeline Mayor will proclaim National Farmers Market week at the Village Board Meeting on July 28th.
Urbana’s Market at the Square: Saturday, August 9th from 7 a.m. – 12 p.m.
•Will host a free art workshop (vegetable stamping with the Land Connection) from 8 a.m.-noon, and performance (Rebecca Rego and the Trainmen) from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
•Will host a farmers market blood drive from 8 a.m. to noon.
•Will have free tote bags and other Market freebies (while supplies last) beginning at 8:30 a.m.
•Urbana City Mayor will read a proclamation at the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting on Monday, August 4th and present the proclamation, along with other local officials at 8:30 a.m. at the Market on Saturday, August 9th.
Independence Park Farmers Market: Sunday, August 10th from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
•Will offer a free children’s craft class from 10 a.m. to noon.
•The Indy Park Jammers will perform – patrons are asked to bring their voices and musical instruments to join in with the musicians.
•Free parking will be available in the south lot on northbound 3900 block of Springfield Avenue, next to the field house or on Irving Park Road.