Illinois Products Farmers' Market Opens For Sixth Season On The State Fairgrounds

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Greens, onions, peas, rhubarb, baked goods, pasta, wine and craft beer are just a few of the items that will be available this week when the Illinois Products Farmers’ Market opens for its sixth season on the State Fairgrounds.

“I’m proud to announce Springfield Clinic is returning as title sponsor,” Agriculture Director Bob Flider said.  “The market has grown tremendously and is now much more than just a great source of fresh produce and local food products. A lot of that success can be attributed to our partnership with Springfield Clinic and the financial support and special programming that it provides.”    

Physicians and staff from Springfield Clinic will offer marketgoers weekly health screenings, as well as educational programs related to nutrition, fitness and wellness, throughout the summer.

“The Illinois Department of Agriculture has done an exceptional job creating an accessible, affordable and entertaining market experience,” said Mark Kuhn, chief administrative officer at Springfield Clinic. “Their delivery of fresh, healthy, locally-grown products aligns perfectly with Springfield Clinic’s efforts to encourage better nutrition and improved wellness for our patients and communities. We’re very pleased to partner with them once again this year.”

IPFM vendors accept Senior and WIC farmers’ market coupons beginning July 1.  They also accept LINK cards issued through the federal SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) program.

Thanks to a LINK UP Illinois grant the market has obtained, LINK cardholders will be able to “double the value” of their LINK transactions up to $10 each market night.  LINK UP Illinois is a program of Experimental Station, in partnership with Wholesome Wave and the Illinois Farmers Market Association.

Beginning this week, the market will be held every Thursday evening through Oct. 17, except during the Illinois State Fair (Aug.8 and Aug. 18).  The July 4 market will be moved to Wednesday, July 3.  It will be located, as in years past, in the Commodities Pavilion across the street from the Grandstand.  The hours are from 4 to 7 p.m.

For more information about the market, including a list of vendors and their products, musical entertainment, scheduled wineries, and the Springfield Clinic “Recipe of the Week”, go to www.illinoisproductmarket.com.