Last week at the Market, I overheard several conversations about moving, learning the one-way streets and all the things that make C-U a unique place to live. One of the especially great things about C-U is that we have one of the biggest and best farmers markets around. So if you are new to town, come on out and give the Market a shot.
This week at the Market, there will a blood drive with Community Blood Services. The blood drive will be held from 8 a.m. to noon. This event is a great way to give back to the community and ensure that blood is locally available for those who need it. The bloodmobile will be parked at Walnut and Illinois Street right outside the entrance to the Market. For more information about this event, click here.
Did you see all the shiny apples last week? There were so many apples! Fall is on the way and I am really looking forward to apple pie, apple cider, and maybe even some apple donuts. This week there will be more apples at the Market, as well as a lot of other produce to pick from. Plums, apricots, lettuce, kale, berries, and melons will be 
available. My market bag looked like a very brightly colored rainbow last week, with fruits and vegetables of every hue: a very delicious, healthy, and locally grown rainbow.
One of things I really like about buying local is that you get to know the people who grow your food, and occasionally chat with them about it. I had a great conversation with a local produce purveyor about kale last week and ended up with a great new kale recipe. Don’t be shy if you see something you are interested in — a lot of the time you can find out quite a bit about where the produce is from, how it is grown, and the best way to eat it.
The handmade items at the Market have been really great this year as well. If you are looking for some deliciously scented soap, tasty jams and jellies, pet treats, apparel, 
handcrafted instruments, sock monkeys or any number of other great handmade items, the market is definitely the place to look. I recently bought a very cute baby present at the Market. Keep your eyes peeled – there is more than produce at the Market!
Forms of payment: All vendors accept cash, and a few may take checks. See information about LINK tokens here. If you run out of cash at the Market, there is an ATM in the Lincoln Square Mall. If you are a LINK patron, the LINK UP grant money has already been used, so you may want to be aware of that before you arrive.
Parking: Free parking is available in the parking lots surrounding Lincoln Square Mall and the lot south of Illinois Street. Bike parking is also available at the entrances to the mall and at the bike corral area past the entrance to the Market off of Illinois.
Information: You can follow the Market on Facebook and twitter. Sign up for Market mail here. If you want more information you can email Market Director Natalie Kenny Marquez or call her at 217.384.2319. And check out the Market flickr for some gorgeous photos of the Market.
The Market runs from 7 a.m. to noon every Saturday through November 2. All events are scheduled rain or shine. C-U at the Market!