Building on the successes of 2015, the Illinois Products Farmers’ Market is slated to reopen to the public on Thursday, May 12th. Last year the night market cemented its mark as a Happy Hour destination with live entertainment on the Lincoln Stage, Illinois wine and beer, various food trucks, and a bountiful crop of fresh Illinois produce and Illinois made products.
“The response the Illinois Products Farmers’ Market received from the community and our vendors last year was tremendous,” said Market Manager Luke Sailer. “Giving market-goers the opportunity to relax after work in a street-party atmosphere serves to enhance the Department’s farm-to-table initiative.”
Expanding on the Department’s Farm-to-Table initiative is Lincoln Land Community College. The school’s Culinary Institute will be on hand the first and second Thursday’s of every month to perform cooking demonstrations. Market-goers will be able to see just how easy it is to shop for and prepare a fresh and healthy meal.
Also new this year, the Illinois Products Farmers’ Market is helping to raise awareness about important community services and events. Various theme nights throughout the market season will help educate the public about different ways we can all make a difference in our community.
Returning in 2016 will be title sponsor, Springfield Clinic. The healthcare group will once again serve as a great source of health and wellness information. All season long, market-goers will have access to various specialists in diet and nutrition, sports medicine, women’s health, cardiology, audiology, dermatology, orthopedics and more. Springfield Clinic will also distribute its popular healthy “recipe of the week” and offer numerous other promotions throughout the market season.
“Springfield Clinic is proud to return as the title sponsor of the Illinois Products Farmers’ Market. Our team looks forward to another great season of partnership with the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the local farmers and producers who offer fresh, whole foods to
our community each week,” said Mark Kuhn, Chief Administrative Officer at Springfield Clinic. “One of Springfield Clinic’s greatest goals is to help our patients, employees and community achieve the best health possible, and our participation at the market is an ideal way to support that cause.”
All products sold at the Illinois Products Farmers’ Market are processed, produced, and packaged by a vendor in the state of Illinois. Space is still available if you are interested in participating as a vendor at the 2016 market. Applications can be found on our website, www.agr.state.il.us/nightmarket.
The Illinois Products Farmers’ Market will once again accept SNAP benefit cards. Program participants just need to bring their cards to the Illinois Department of Agriculture table to obtain tokens that can be used to purchase their desired food items. Senior and WIC coupons available through the Farmers Market Nutrition Program will also be accepted.
The 2016 Illinois Products Farmers’ Market is in its 9thseason. The market will be held every Thursday from 4pm – 7pm, with the exception of the two Thursday’s of the Illinois State Fair, at the Shed (across from Lincoln Stage). Parking is always free and conveniently located just steps from the market.
