West Cook News

Oak Park residents and visitors are invited to the opening of the 49th season of the Oak Park Farmers' Market. This dynamic, producers-only marketplace offers fresh produce, meats, cheese, eggs, baked goods, breads, flowers, honey, and grains from farmland in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan.

“I’m very excited to welcome in the 49th season with so many of our favorite vendors returning. We also have a new wild-caught salmon vendor,” said Oak Park Farmers’ Market Manager Jack Carmody. “We will be featuring several pop-up vendors this year who will be offering unique products periodically throughout the season. We have a full programming lineup as well with children’s activities and bake sales along with the famous Church donuts, fresh coffee and live bluegrass music."

The Market provides a welcoming environment where people can access fresh food and create community connections. It is a community effort that offers volunteer opportunities for setup and teardown operations or answering questions at the Info Booth any Saturday of the season.

“The effort to execute a successful Farmers’ Market every year involves many people," Carmody said. "It starts with our dedicated Farmers’ Market citizen commission. This dedicated group works diligently year-round to ensure we have the best of the best in Oak Park."

The first two weeks of the Market will feature a dozen sustainability-focused organizations for the annual Go Green Days exhibition. Parking is available on streets adjacent to the market or in the OPRF High School parking structure off Scoville Ave.

Courtesy of Oak Park Township, transportation offering curb-to-curb service will pick up anyone (all ages) who lives in Oak Park or River Forest for a suggested $1 donation and provide them a round-trip ride to the Market.

Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own bags and coffee cups as well as small reusable lidded storage containers for berries and other goodies. A majority of vendors accept cash, credit/debit cards, and Senior Coupons. All approved food vendors accept SNAP/Link cards for payment.

“We welcome everyone,” Carmody said. “And we are proud to match SNAP/Link Card purchases up to $25 per cardholder.”

Special events at the Market are scattered throughout the season. The annual Corn Roast will take place on Aug. 10, while the Pie Bake-Off is slated for Sept.7, and the Market wraps up with the annual Stone Soup celebration on closing day, Oct. 26.

For more information about the Oak Park Farmers’ Market, visit www.oak-park.us/farmersmarket or email farmersmarket@oak-park.us.

The Village of Oak Park is located just nine miles west of downtown Chicago and offers a distinctive urban/suburban lifestyle in a thriving, multi-cultural community.