Thank you for your Support of National Farmers Market Week

So many people to thank!

Thank you to everyone who supported their local farmers market during National Farmers Market Week (August 2-8, 2015)

We wish to thank all those who contributed donations for the Farmers Market Basket.    We are happy to announce that the winner of the Farmers Market Basket Raffle was Gus Jones from Small Axe Market Gardens.  Included in the picture are Pat Stieren, Lindsay Record and Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant.  Thanks so much to Lindsay and Deborah (IFMA Board Members) for their hard work in making the weeklong events so successful.

Thank you to those who joined the Illinois Stewardship Alliance and Illinois Farmers Market Association for our first ever Farm to Table Dinner Crawl.  We hoped everyone enjoyed the wonderful local food that the chefs prepared, learning about some local farmers in our area and met some new friends.    Our ‘first of its kind’ event helped to raise awareness of the importance of farmers markets and provide needed funds for IFMA to continue its education and outreach across the state.

And finally, we wish to thank our restaurant partners and farmer friends  at the Old Capitol Farmers Market — Suttil’s Garden (Wed. & Sat.), Small Axe Market Gardens and Veenstra’s Harvest and Bloom’s Farm (Sat. only)  who participated in the Farm to Dinner Crawl Saturday, August 8^th  Dinner included four courses and four different restaurants and the group walked together to each restaurant including , , and  Proceeds helped benefit .

 The following farmers, along with Chef Michael Higgins, are  included in the attached picture –  Andy Heck – Small Axe Market Gardens, Gus Jones -Small Axe Market Gardens, Jacque Suttill-Simpson –Suttill’s Gardens, Garrick Veenstra and Violeta Veenstra  – Veenstra’s Vegetables and Harvest and Blooms Farm

Central Illinois is home to great farmers markets, an abundance of local food and a number of great restaurants with a commitment to sourcing locally. You can find farms, farmers markets, restaurants and more listed on the Buy Fresh Buy Local Central Illinois website. In our opinion, local chefs really shine when they do special dinners! Whether it is part of the Local Flavors farm to table series, or a dinner that they do on their own.

We heard many requests from attendees that may be interested in doing a similar event again. It just may happen and you’ll be the first to know!  

Thanks again for supporting National Farmers Market Week and our local farmers!