March 18, 2024
Local News

Will, Grundy county farmer's markets bring residents and local producers together

Joliet Junior College Farmer’s Market opens at the dawn of summer months

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JOLIET – Pat Wallace said she’s passed by the Joliet Junior College Farmer’s Market every year but she decided Thursday to finally check out the event.

Wallace, of Joliet, walked with her grandson through the farmer’s market on opening day. She said she found items there at less-expensive prices than at grocery stores, as well as others that were out of the ordinary.

The JJC Farmer’s Market – next to the JJC Greenhouse Facility at the main campus – had vendors selling vegetables, but also grass-fed beef, gluten-free food, Alpaca garments and unusual soaps.

“This is the first time I’ve stopped by. I think this is amazing,” Wallace said.

The JJC Farmer’s Market is one of several connecting residents with local farmers and sellers in Will and Grundy counties.

The market will run from 2 to 6 p.m. every Thursday through Sept. 15.

Other markets, such as the Joliet Downtown Farmer's Market and Frankfort Country Market are opening later in June and the 3 French Hens Market in Morris had its first day May 9.

The farmer’s market at JJC has been open since 2013 and it’s become a place that not only links customers with local producers but is also an incubator for business startups, said JJC Farmer’s Market Manager Dorothy Rosier.

“We love being that for these people that are just starting out to see if they have a product that is desirable,” Rosier said.

She said about 24 vendors will be at the market this season.

Some new vendors this year include Lil’ MAD Cafe from Minooka, Neurotic Turtle Soaps & Crafts from Joliet and Antiquity Oaks Farm from Cornell. All three were at the first day of the market Thursday.

“It feels like a really big community. … There’s vendor camaraderie,” said Sarah Gocek, Antiquity Oaks Farm garden partner.

Items sold by Antiquity Oaks included goat milk soap and eggs.

Elizabeth Armstrong, who runs Neurotic Turtle Soaps & Crafts, said the farmer’s market at JJC is great.

“They have loyal customers who come out every week, every year,” she said.

She said she got into making soaps because she likes doing crafts and projects. She tries to keep her soaps as natural as she can and one of her notable products – pine tar soap – is good for eczema and skin rashes, she said.

Other vendors at the market Thursday included Lange’s Farm, The Olive Gallery, Sweetchick Soapery, University of Illinois Master Gardeners and Witzig Farm Meats.

Rosier said JJC leaders have been supportive of the farmer’s market, which is truly a community event. The market was possible because of a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“It’s a great place for family and kids to come and learn because we have the farmers there. … They can come and learn where they actually get their fruits and vegetables from,” she said.

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LOCAL MARKETS AND TIMES

WHAT: Lockport Farmers Market

WHEN: 4 to 8 p.m. Mondays, June 6 to Aug. 29

WHERE: 222 E. 9th St., Lockport

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WHAT: Lemont’s Farmers Market

WHEN: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, June 7 to Oct. 25

WHERE: Talcott and Stephen streets

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WHAT: Joliet Downtown Farmers Market

WHEN: 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, June 8 through Sept. 21 (no market Sept. 14)

WHERE: Chicago Street, between Van Buren and West Jefferson streets

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WHAT: JJC Farmers Market

WHEN: 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 15.

WHERE: JJC Greenhouse Facility, near main campus, 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet.

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WHAT: Bolingbrook Farmers Market

WHEN: 4 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, June 9 to Aug. 11; 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 18 to Sept. 15

WHERE: The Promenade on Sanburg Street, Bolingbrook

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WHAT: 3 French Hens Market

WHEN: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. second Saturday of the month through Oct. 10

WHERE: 123 W. Illinois Ave., Morris

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WHAT: New Lenox French Market

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, April 30 to Oct. 9

WHERE: 1 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox

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WHAT: Plainfield Farmers Market

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, June 4 to Sept. 24

WHERE: Plainfield Plaza, Fort Beggs Drive and Route 59

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WHAT: Frankfort Country Market

WHEN: Sunday morning and early afternoon (hours vary) through Oct. 23

WHERE: Downtown historic Frankfort, between Kansas and Oak streets