The Oak Park Farmers’ Market is now open for its 42nd season, welcoming new vendors and special guests.
The Market is held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday from opening day through October in the Pilgrim Congregational Church parking lot, 460 Lake St., one block west of Ridgeland Avenue.
In addition to a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, bedding plants, honey, cheese, frozen meat and baked goods, the Market also features donuts made on-site, fresh coffee and live bluegrass music.
New Vendors…Some vendors have been participating in the Oak Park Farmers’ Market for decades, while others are new to the scene this year.
This season’s newcomers include 1871 Dairy (milk, butter, yogurt and cream), J2K Capraio Farmstead Dairy & Artisan Creamery (artisanal goat cheese), Finn’s Ranch (meat and eggs) and Midnight Sun (turkey, eggs and produce).
The Market also hosts guest vendors throughout the season, including American Pride Microfarm (microgreens and quail eggs), Green Fire Farm (organic grass-fed beef, pastured heritage pork and poultry products) and Hazzard Free Farm (heirloom and ancient grains). These newcomers will be among the many regional vendors offering the sustainable, organic and locally sourced goods that are the hallmark of the Oak Park Farmers’ Market. A
Market site map and information on all of this year’s vendors are posted at www.oak-park.us/farmersmarket.
Special events and guests…Children’s activities are scheduled for the second Saturday from June through October. Activities will be hosted by Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory, University of Illinois Extension master gardeners, Ms. Clara’s Mini Musicians, Wonder Works Children’s Museum and Stomp & Shout, a kids’ theater group.
The West Cook YMCA also will be on hand periodically throughout the season handing out veggie-of-the-week cards that contain recipes for seasonal vegetables, and the Oak Park Public Library’s book bike will visit the Market the fourth Saturday of each month.
Non-profit bake sales will be offered each Saturday as well as occasional cooking demonstrations featuring chefs from local restaurants.
Other special events on the schedule this season include the annual corn roast Aug. 12, a pie-baking contest Sept. 2 and traditional stone soup ladled up at the final Market of the season Oct. 28.
To help support Market administration, a variety of items will be sold at the information tent, including reusable shopping bags, t-shirts and travel mugs. A majority of the vendors now accept credit/debit cards, as well as WIC and senior coupons. All vendors accept Link cards.
For more information call 708.358.5780, email farmersmarket@oak-park.us or visit www.oak-park.us/farmersmarket.