The Land Connection Champaign Farmers’ Market, is reopening next week Tuesday, and will continue every Tuesday through October from 4 p.m to 7 p.m.
To kick off the new season, The Land Connection is hosting a gift basket giveaway. Simply find Eggwardo in at least 7 of the following businesses, and you’ll be eligible for the May 17 market giveaway:
10,000 Villages, Columbia Street Roastery, Pizzeria Antica, Aroma Cafe, Fleurish, Skins n’ Tins Drum Shop, Big Grove Tavern, Jane Addams Book Shop, Watson’s Shack & Rail, Cafe Kopi, Orpheum Children’s Science Museum, Circles, and Pekara Bakery & Bistro.
From The Land Connection’s press release:
CHAMPAIGN, IL (April 19, 2016): People will have another delicious reason to visit downtown Champaign on Tuesday nights starting on May 3. Returning for its second season, the Champaign Farmers’ Market will take place in the parking lot at 310-330 N. Neil, immediately adjacent to the plaza at 1 West Main, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. every week from May through October.
“Our inaugural season in 2015 was a very encouraging success, and we were thrilled to see over 17,500 shoppers turn out to support the Champaign Farmers’ Market’s mission of Healthy Farms, Healthy Food, Healthy Communities through eating locally grown, in-season produce”, said Sarah Simeziane, farmers’ market manager at The Land Connection.
The market also operates a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) doubling program, and gave out over $1,000 in matching funds last year. Simeziane noted, “with the help of our generous sponsors, we are once again able to double SNAP purchases up to $20 every week in an effort to make healthy, local food more accessible and affordable to our whole community.”
“From the very start, we have envisioned the kind of market where you can do your grocery shopping for the week – not just vegetables, but eggs, meat, and bread too,” said Cara Cummings, executive director of The Land Connection. The 2016 market will feature 15-20 vendors per week selling locally grown, raised, or produced food and farm products, including fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meat, fish, eggs, honey, flowers, baked goods, and desserts.
“Sola Gratia Farm is so happy to return for a second year at The Land Connection’s Tuesday Farmer’s Market” said local farmer Traci Barkley. “We were the first to sign up for the new season! It was wonderful to see how this became a weekly ritual for so many because of the happening location, fun activities, and most importantly the great selection of local food.”
The Champaign Farmers’ Market is a producer-only market, and in line with the mission of The Land Connection, a Champaign-based nonprofit dedicated to training farmers and preserving farmland, everything to be sold at the market will be grown, raised or produced locally. To support their larger organizational mission, the market favors farms with sustainable growing practices and a commitment towards improving the land through environmentally friendly methods. The Land Connection also works to support new farmers and help them gain a stronger foothold on the local food scene.
For more information about the market and our Farm Fresh Now recipe card series, including how to become a volunteer, sponsor, or a vendor, visit here.
About The Land Connection:
The Land Connection is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting farmland, training sustainable and organic farmers, and promoting a vibrant local food system.