Latest news with #AuroraFarmersMarket
Chicago Tribune
6 hours ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Aurora Farmers Market opens for the season with expanded layout
Cassandra Weisner of North Aurora usually visits a farmers market in nearby Batavia but elected to come to the Aurora Farmers Market on its opening day of the season on Saturday. 'I like to support local when I can and check out different vendors as I know there are changes in the markets every year,' she said. 'I'm here for pretty much everything, but I'd like to see some produce although I know it's early for a few things.' Beginning at 8 a.m., Weisner and hundreds of others welcomed in the 2025 season at the Aurora Farmers Market, the state's longest running venue of its kind, now in its 114th year. Both vendors and shoppers experienced a new, expanded layout thanks to a configuration that changed parking and allowed room for the market to increase by at least 50% over the past few years. Organizers said before the opening that a total of 85 vendors signed up this year and that somewhere between 60 and 70 would be at each of the weekly markets, which will run from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturdays through Oct. 4 at 65 S. Water St. in downtown Aurora. New communications manager for the city of Aurora Jon Zaghloul spoke before Saturday's opening about the legacy of the market and how it has impacted other markets in the area as well as improved the well-being of those who patronize it. 'Aurora takes pride in the fact that we do get to host the oldest farmers market in the state of Illinois each and every year and truly, it's a testament to the community events division for working hard to continue to bring new vendors into the market,' Zaghloul said. 'We have provided a blueprint for other markets in the area.' Zaghloul touted quality-of-life issues as the market provides farm-to-table food, adding that it also serves underprivileged individuals who rely on food stamps. 'At the end of the day it's a great opportunity for residents to get farm-fresh food from a number of different vendors,' he said. 'Residents can show up with food stamps and get food from the market, too. It's a great chance for anybody in the city, regardless of their income.' Dan Taggart of Waukegan met his mother Denise Taggert from Yorkville at the market Saturday morning. 'This is great. You get fresh produce … and you kind of see the local stuff. We want to get some sausages too,' Dan Taggart said. 'I like seeing local things and things that you might not see elsewhere. I think these kinds of markets are very enjoyable.' Denise Taggart said she likes to support small businesses. 'That's always good, supporting local,' she said. 'I'm impressed that this market has lasted so long and it's one of the best around. It's a good variety of vendors and it's huge and worth the drive.' Kimberly Belton of Montgomery said she knew about the history of the market and that she 'comes every year.' 'I just enjoy markets. I like to see fresh things and different things and I also want to support local small businesses,' she said. 'I go for more vegan things – fruits and veggie stands and I also like crafts.' Belton said she was 'excited when I walked up' to the expanded market on Saturday. 'I like the new design and as I said to a stranger when I was walking up I'm excited to see there's no parking (taking up space) and there are more vendors,' she said. 'I like what they've done with this.' She said the Aurora Farmers Market is a staple for her. 'I come every week,' she said. 'It's my Saturday morning go-to for sure.'
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Aurora Farmers Market set to open for season with more vendors, new club for kids
The city of Aurora is set to welcome back the longest-running farmers market in the state on Saturday, June 7, with organizers saying the event will include more vendors and a new club for children. This marks the 114th year of the market, which will run from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through Oct. 4 at 65 S. Water St. in downtown Aurora. The market will show definite signs of growth not seen since it moved from near the downtown Metra station back in 2018 to Water Street Square, organizers said. Due to a reconfiguration of the market, there could be as many as 75 vendors this year as compared to years past when the number averaged around 50 at the Water Street site. Aurora Farmers Market manager and community events coordinator Felicia Freitag said this year's total includes 85 vendors that have signed up, with many rotating in and out throughout the summer. 'Some of those vendors might be here one Saturday or two, the others the whole season,' she said. 'We'll probably have at least 60 each week and we have a new layout this year, and we'll be able to fit up to 70 in the parking lot itself.' The new layout was made possible, Freitag said, as a result of moving the handicapped reserved parking to 'the other side of the lot.' 'It used to be on the south side of the lot and now it's on the north side which allows us to have space for more vendors,' she said. Another new feature this year at the market will be a Sprouts Club, offering weekly free activities for children. According to a press release from the city, 'the Sprouts Club will provide a consistent club for children to participate in from 9 to 11 a.m. every Saturday' at the farmers market. 'Activities will promote sustainability, farming and produce knowledge, creativity and give children the opportunity to socialize,' the release said. 'Children can receive a stamp in their Sprouts Club activity booklet each week, along with a $5 Sprout Token for use on fruits and vegetables. After five stamps, Sprouts can pick out a special prize.' The Sprouts Club program will be run by the city of Aurora's Youth Services Division. Examples of planned activities include garden planting using a couple of raised garden beds, as well as kids decorating planters they can take home which will include seeds to grow things themselves. There will also be cultural performances throughout the year at the farmers market, organizers said. The opening market on Saturday is expected to offer 60 vendors, according to organizers. Popular regulars returning include Lopez Farms from Michigan which has been with the market for three decades, along with Strawberries BBQ, Alice's Corner with empanadas, The Finer Edge knife sharpening, Draper's Honey, Dick's Mini Donuts and more. New vendors will be offering some unique food items including locally-grown mushrooms, artisan bacon and charcuterie cups 'to keep people fed while they shop,' Freitag said. The market will continue to partner with LinkUp Illinois, allowing Link card users to double their Link funds and receive tokens and voucher redeemable with eligible vendors at the farmers market, event organizers said. Freitag said the city of Aurora welcomes the growth of farmers markets throughout the area because together they make up a network that benefits everybody. 'We love to see other markets popping up and that means more people are caring about shopping locally and supporting local and small business and we welcome it,' she said. 'We love to see what other markets are doing. We do have an established market that keeps generating support. We're just excited for the next season and new layout and getting more vendors in here.'
