Looking for plant starts or some locally grown asparagus?
It is officially that time of year.
Burlington’s Jefferson Street Farmers Market kicks off tonight and will run every Thursday night through the end of September.
Galesburg’s farmers market gets going on Saturday morning and runs through September as well.
Macomb’s farmers market summer season also starts on Saturday morning — and is celebrating 50 years of serving the community.
Alyson Sturgis, a vendor and president of the non-profit formed last year to oversee Macomb’s market, said it’s more than a place to buy locally produced food and handmade goods — it’s an event that brings people together.
“You have farmers, you have people from Western, you have people who live in town, you have the Amish, and you have a small city where there's not a lot of places where everyone can interact and communicate with each other,” Sturgis said. “So we've tried to create a space where anybody can come and hang out and people get to know each other.”
Sturgis said the farmers market is as good as the community makes it. The more people support it and the more people participate or volunteer, the better it is.
She said the focus on local food and locally made goods is what keeps people coming back year after year.
“You have to have made it or crafted it yourself to sell it at the farmers market. You can't buy it on Amazon and resell it. When you support local food, you support your local economy and the dollars remain here in our area, which is good for all of us,” Sturgis said. “We've turned it into a community spot. One of the goals and the mission of the farmers market is to create a space for the community to gather.”
At the end of this month, the Macomb market will add its Thursday morning market as well. At the first one of those on May 29, there will be a ribbon-cutting to officially celebrate the market’s 50 years.
There will be a number of other events to commemorate the anniversary this season, including a pie-eating contest in honor of longtime vendor Doris Carman, who’s been selling her pies at the Macomb market for 25 years.
Sturgis said the best way to keep track of what’s coming up at the farmers market, from live music and food trucks to yoga, is to follow its Facebook page.
Because the market is now a non-profit, it can provide insurance to vendors, apply for grants, and accept donations.
And there are a few more produce vendors this year, Sturgis said.
Sturgis also said the farmers market also participates in the LINK match program.
They can spend that on fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, and edible plants. So people who are looking to stretch their food dollar can swipe for $20, get $40, and spend it, she said.
Here’s a roundup of farmers markets around the region. If we missed yours, please email publicradio@wiu.edu.
Macomb
The Macomb Farmers Market returns to Chandler Park on Saturdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Saturdays begin May 3 and Thursdays begin May 29.
Along with this return of the summer market is the celebration of Macomb Farmers Market’s 50th Anniversary.
More information is on the market’s Facebook page.
Burlington
The Jefferson Street Farmers Market runs every Thursday from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in the 300 to 500 blocks of Jefferson Street.
The market features fresh and local produce, baked goods, food vendors, live music, and more.
Special events this month include live music on May 9; horse and trolley rides, a pet parade, and live music on May 16; and live music on May 23.
The Jefferson Street Farmers Market is organized by Downtown Partners and the May markets are made possible by Farmers Savings Bank. For more information, call Downtown Partners at (319) 208-0046.
Carthage
Mark your calendars for Carthage’s farmers market.
It’s planned for noon to 3 p.m. every Monday, from May 12 through September on the northwest corner of the courthouse lawn.
Call (217) 357-3141 if interested in becoming a vendor.
Fort Madison
Fort Madison’s farmers market begins June 2 in Central Park, and will run every Monday from 4 to 6 p.m. through September.
New this year, 9th Street will be closed from Avenue E south to the alleyway between Avenues E & F on Mondays at 3:30 pm.
New vendors are welcome. For more information, contact chamber@fortmadison.com
Galesburg
Starting May 3, the Galesburg Farmers Market will run from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday through September.
The location is 362 E. Simmons St.
Keokuk
The Keokuk Farmers Market is on Saturday mornings.
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