A good farmers’ market is one of the great joys of summer, and the Champaign County area offers up a great selection! Whether you find a favorite or check them all out, you’re sure to find a bounty of fresh produce, interesting people and, best of all, delicious food!
Country Fair Farmer’s Market
Offering up a little bit
of just about everything, this market is held at the Country Fair Shopping Center each warm-weather Wednesday beginning on June 3rd and running through October 28th. Be sure to get there early – this farmers’ market is only open from seven AM to twelve PM in order to offer you the freshest produce imaginable.
Location:
Country Fair Shopping Center 229 S.
229 Mattis Avenue
Champaign, IL 61821
Phone: (217) 493-0406
Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery
Offering a rare glimpse inside a working farm, this farmers’ market is the farm itself! The people at Prairie Fruits open up their facility every Wednesday for two afternoon hours (four to six PM), beginning in mid-June and ending in mid-August. Bring the whole family – kids will love a chance to see live goats and pigs, and everybody will fall in love with the luscious homemade cheeses and gelato!
Location:
4410 N. Lincoln Avenue
Champaign, Illinois 61822
Phone: 217-643-2314
Farmers’ Market on Historic North First Street
Everything you expect a farmers’ market to be and more, this celebration of local products is held each Thursday, beginning on June 7th and ending on September 6th. The fair opens at three in the afternoon and is open through seven o’clock in the evening.
Location:
Farmers Market on Historic North First Street
302 N. 1st Street
Champaign, IL 61820
email: farmersmarket.on.northfirst@gmail.com
Sustainable Student Farm
For a chance to take home the bounty of a small-scale, sustainable and student-run farm in action, stop by the Illini Union On the Quad at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Thursdays, beginning at eleven AM and closing up at five PM, spring through mid-Fall semester, you can take your pick from the fresh produce harvested by this 6-acre, student-run facility. The Sustainable Student Farm also sells their produce to the college’s dining hall.
Location:
The University Of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Anniversary Plaza (just south of the Illini Union)
1401 W Green Street
Urbana, IL 61801
email: mbeverag@illinois.edu
Urbana’s Market at the Square
For a delicious taste of life in Champaign County, stop by one of the state’s largest farmers’ markets! The market is held each Saturday morning, rain or shine, beginning at seven and ending at twelve. Get there early for the best selection! In addition to a dizzying array of fresh produce and handmade gourmet items, you’ll also find tons of locally-made gifts such as candles, jewelry and bath-and-body products.
Location:
Corner of Illinois & Vine Streets in Downtown Urbana
460 South Walnut Street
Champaign, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 384-2319