Celebrating National Farmers Market Week 2020

LA GRANGE FARMERS MARKET HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF FRESH, LOCALLY GROWN FOOD DURING NATIONAL FARMERS MARKET WEEK 2020

La Grange IL -- The La Grange Farmers Market joins markets across the country on Thursday, August 6 in celebrating National Farmers Market Week (Aug. 2-8) to recognize the vital role farmers markets play in our food chain and local communities.

The La Grange farmers market will celebrate National Farmers Market Week with free promotional items while supplies last. Youngsters can pick up an “I Love Farmers Markets” bookmark, along with free fans, chips clips and other items. Market goers may also enter into a random drawing to win a free La Grange-Opoly Board Game by posting their photos from the market on social media, tagging @lagrangebiz on Instagram or La Grange Business Association on Facebook, and using the hashtag #LoveLaGrangeMarket.

Along with all small businesses in a global pandemic, farmers markets have been scrambling to continue operations for the farmers and communities that depend on them. When conventional food supply chains were disrupted by COVID-19, farmers markets and local food systems clearly displayed the resiliency of short supply chains and interest in local foods spiked nationwide. Market managers were forced to adopt new policies and procedures to keep vendors and customers safe, all while ensuring communities have continued access to local, fresh food.

The farmers market, opening three weeks later than originally planned due to the quarantine, is organized by the La Grange Business Association each Thursday from 7am – 1pm on La Grange Road and Harris Avenue. This season, the total number of market vendors and food artisans has been reduced and a more expansive layout accommodates 21 tents selling a wide variety of products including fresh produce, baked goods, meats and seafood, teas, smoothies, plants and flowers, soaps and wellness products. Masks are required for both vendors and customers, pets are not allowed, hand sanitizer is provided, and volunteers are stationed to limit attendance and ensure proper social distancing measures.

Extensive work takes place behind the scenes to keep the farmers market running safely and provide the community with fresh, locally sourced meats and produce plus single-batch artisan foods. Unlike grocery stores, the produce sold at the market ripens in the soil and is fresh-picked the day before it arrives to La Grange early on Thursdays from Illinois, Michigan and Indiana. The market also serves as an incubator for small, local entrepreneurs who may otherwise lack access to capital.

“Farmers markets are essential to the life and livelihood of millions of shoppers and tens of thousands of farmers,” says Ben Feldman, Executive Director of the Farmers Market Coalition. “But farmers markets don’t happen by accident. It takes the planning, organization, and execution of dedicated individuals and community organizations. That work is harder than ever and farmers markets and the vendors who sell at them need all the help they can get.”

Supporters can show their love for the La Grange Farmers Market on social media by posting photos from the markets and tagging pictures with #FarmersMarketWeek, #LoveMyMarket and #LagrangeIL.

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Media Contact:

Nancy Cummings
Executive Director
La Grange Business Association
708-522-6467
nancy@lgba.com

Marie Iwanski
Intern
La Grange Business Association
Lagrangebiz.intern@gmail.com