UPDATE: 5 Winter Farmers Markets Now Offering Fresh, Local Foods in Kane County

UPDATE: 5 Winter Farmers Markets Now Offering Fresh, Local Foods in Kane County

/ January 5, 2017 / Comments Off on UPDATE: 5 Winter Farmers Markets Now Offering Fresh, Local Foods in Kane County / Agriculture, Business, Communities, Consumers, WK-Business
  • Editor’s Note: This article was written by Kane County Land Use Planner Matt Tansley. You can reach him at tansleymatthew@co.kane.il.us.

With winter settled in and snow creeping into the forecast this week, you’d think that the time for fresh foods from the local farmer’s market has passed.

Not so in Kane County!

This year, the number of indoor winter markets has increased to five, spanning north from Elgin all the way south to Sugar Grove with locations in between. These markets attract dozens of farmer vendors and artisan producers from Kane County and neighboring areas. And since these markets are indoors, customers can shop with the comfort and convenience of a visit to a neighborhood grocer.

Here’s your Kane County Guide to Winter Farmers Markets!

Elgin Indoor Harvest Market

Beginning this winter, the Elgin Downtown Neighborhood Association assumed responsibility for managing a monthly indoor farmer’s market at Advocate Sherman Hospital. In partnership with Shared Harvest, the neighborhood association will operate the market on the second Thursday of each month through March. Information on the Indoor Harvest Market, and other seasonal markets, is available on the DNA Elgin website.

Visitors will find a wide selection of healthful, locally grown and homemade foods, and personal care products from a variety of vendors. Featuring Trogg’s Hollow, Windy Acres Crafts, Smart Cookie Baker, Three Bees, Butter & Flour, and more.

  • Location: 1425 N Randall Rd. (lower level), Elgin, IL 60123
  • Hours: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. second Thursday of the month
  • Winter Market is Open: October through March

St. Charles Indoor Farmers Market

New in 2016, Baker Memorial Church launched its first indoor winter farmers market, expanding the 12-year tradition of the church’s summer market. You will find an array of local products and artisan foods including meats, produce, seafood and bakery items.

The St. Charles Farmers Market boasts up to 15 vendors each week — two-thirds of which are from Kane County — and the only year-round market in one continuous location.

  • Location: 307 Cedar Ave, St Charles, IL 60174 – Baker Hall (entrance off of Cedar Ave.)
  • Hours: 9 a.m. to noon Fridays
  • Winter Market Is Open: November through May

The Geneva Green Market — A Winter Farmer’s Market

The Geneva Green Market is a farmer’s market with a mission — a not-for-profit distributional and educational association that promotes local, organic and sustainable products from local artisan farmers and producers who provide freshness, biodiversity and the highest quality foods.

The Winter Market supports community access to healthy foods throughout the year, not just during the summer growing season. The market has been operating through the winter months for the past 10 years. With more than a dozen vendors this year, the Geneva Green Market has a lot to offer.

  • Location: 327 Hamilton St., Geneva, IL 60134
  • Hours: 9 a,n, to 1 p.m. Saturdays
  • Winter Market Is Open: November through April

Batavia Winter Market

This year the Batavia Winter Market is located at Gaetano’s Italian Restaurant. In its 3rd year running the market is sponsored by Batavia MainStreet, a community based organization and not-for-profit devoted to enhancing the downtown through volunteer efforts. This farm market features 11 unique vendors selling produce, baked goods, artisan products, plants, honey and related farm products, drawing 300 to 500 customers each week. Their vendors grow, harvest and/or produce about 75 percent of the products sold.

  • Location: 15 E Wilson St, Batavia, IL 60510
  • Hours: 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays
  • Winter Market Is Open: October through May

Sugar Grove Wintermarket

Beginning Jan. 14, the Sugar Grove Wintermarket will be open for business at the Sugar Grove Public Library. The market will run on the second Saturday each month through May.

Visitors will have their choice of fresh eggs, honey, pork, beef and a variety of cheeses. The library is seeking additional farm vendors who may wish to take advantage of the free space that is available. Interested vendors should contact Library Director Shannon Halikias at shannon@sugargrove.lib.il.us or 630-466-4686.

  • Location: 125 S. Municipal Drive, Sugar Grove
  • Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month
  • Winter Market Is Open: January through May

Popular Vendors

These winter markets include a number of Kane County vendors serving up the freshest produce, meats, bakery and dairy foods. Some of the regulars are:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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