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Celebrating National Farmers Market Week

Fresh produce at the Macomb Farmers Market, grown by M&M&m Farms, north of Blandinsville.
Jane Carlson
/
Tri States Public Radio
Fresh produce at the Macomb Farmers Market, grown by M&M&m Farms, north of Blandinsville.

It’s National Farmers Market Week, an annual celebration to highlight the vital role local growers play in the nation’s food system.

John Greenwood, manager of the Macomb Farmers Market and a vendor with JNJ farms, said there will be drawings for vendor gift certificates at the Thursday and Saturday markets this week to commemorate National Farmers Market Week.

The Macomb market is in its 47th year, making it one of the oldest continuously running markets in downstate Illinois.

“We’ve had an excellent turnout this year, despite the economy being what it is,” Greenwood said. “The numbers are still good. Sales for most of the vendors are not really being affected that bad, as of right now.”

John Greenwood, manager of the Macomb Farmers Market and vendor with JNJ Farms.
Jane Carlson
/
Tri States Public Radio
John Greenwood, manager of the Macomb Farmers Market and vendor with JNJ Farms.

Greenwood said the Saturday market typically has a few more vendors than the Thursday market.

Both are held in Chandler Park.

Right now is the peak of the season, with everything from tomatoes to melons ripe for the picking.

Greenwood said the variety offered at the market is an opportunity for people to try something new.

The Macomb Farmers Market has another promotion running this month to encourage people to buy that abundance of locally grown food.

“People come to the market, buy ingredients from the various vendors, take a picture of them, convert them into a meal, take a picture of it, and enter the drawing,” Greenwood said.

Winners will be selected at the end of the month to receive vendor gift certificates.

Here is Tri States Public Radio's guide to farmers' markets in the region.

Burlington 4:30 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, May through October. Downtown along Jefferson Street.

Carthage 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, mid-May through mid-October. Northwest corner of courthouse square.

Fort Madison 4 to 9 p.m. Mondays, June through September. Central Park.

Keokuk 8 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, May through October. River City Mall parking lot, 300 Main St.

Galesburg 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, May through October. Downtown near the corner of Simmons and Seminary streets.

Macomb 7 a.m. to noon Thursdays, 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, May 19 through Oct. 25. Downtown in Chandler Park.

Monmouth 5 to 7 p.m. Fridays, June through September. Fortress Bank parking lot, 300 block of North Main Street.

Montrose 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, May through September. Riverfront Landing, 201 N First St.

Tri States Public Radio produced this story.  TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.

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Jane Carlson is TSPR's regional reporter.