Fresh Produce Here!

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Farmers markets continue to be popular

Lillian Jacobs remembers being invited to be part of a local farmers market, to bring produce from her farm near Princeville to sell to the public. At the time she and her family had been taking produce to the riverfront on Saturday mornings. It was the only farmers market in Peoria at the time.

The invitation came from Marvin Goodman, owner of a new shopping center in the heart of Peoria called Metro Centre. "He wanted to give it a go, so we thought we'd try it. We're still here."

That beginning was 35 years ago and Jacobs has been bringing produce from the Garden Spot in Princeville to the Metro Centre every summer since. What started with four producers selling from the back of their pickup trucks and then a small tent in the Metro Centre parking lot has grown into central Illinois' largest farmers market.

Open June through late fall, the market now offers a dozen or so producers selling from booths under the roof of the facility Goodman built once he realized the market was going to be a success. "As it first started to grow Marvin put up a few more tents. But he got such a good response he wanted to build a more permanent place. It was really great, especially since at the time there wasn't a grocery right next door," said Jacobs, who as the last remaining original producer merits the choice middle booth at the market.

From the start Jacobs has sold sweet corn, tomatoes and other vegetables at the Farmers Market, the same items she sells to those who venture to the Garden Spot Vegetable Farm. The Garden Spot still has a presence on the riverfront, as well, as her daughter takes produce there every Saturday morning during the summer, when the Riverfront Market is open.

The market at Metro Centre will have a soft opening on May 1, said Eric Brinker, president of Metro Centre and Marvin Goodman's grandson. During May it will be mostly seedling plants being sold on weekends.

The official kickoff opening will be the first weekend in June and from then on the market will be open six days a week, 8 a.m. until items are sold out, through Oct. 31.
"It is the largest collection of organic and no-spray produce in one spot in central Illinois. Not only do residents come for the produce, they sell to some restaurants in the area, too. It's an important part of the Peoria economy," Brinker said.

Jacobs agreed. "Restaurants want freshness because that's what their customers expect," she said.

One of the things she enjoys most about selling at the Farmers Market, she said, "has been the chance to meet some really fascinating people. We get people from all walks of life at the market and all of them have some great stories to tell, if you take the time to listen. Every day you can get a wealth of information."

Vegetables and fruit rule the Farmers Market. The offerings changes and grow as the summer progresses; for instance, cantaloupe and melons will become more prevalent as they are harvested. Flowers and pasta are also available.

The Riverfront
Every Saturday morning from June 2 through Sept. 29 local produce can be found at Liberty Park on Peoria's riverfront. But that's far from all that is available at Liberty and Water streets, said Sharon Gramm, executive director of the Riverfront Association.

And there is a reason people can also find arts and crafts, pottery and pastas, cooking demonstrations and even magicians while listening to live music as they shop for tomatoes, sweet corn and melons.

"We're only open one morning each week, so we want to be unique in order to draw people downtown. We want to make it a worthy destination spot," Gramm said.

Now in its ninth year at that spot the Riverfront Market averages 2,000 customers each week milling around the 65 or so vendors who set up. Some vendors don't come every week, but most make it a regular thing. "I think the vendors really enjoy being down here and the different types of people we get. We have things for adults and kids so it can be a family day out," she said.

When parking becomes an issue, the Riverfront Association runs a shuttle from surrounding parking lots to the market. "It has grown every year so parking has become tighter. But customers don't mind the shuttle. It gives them a chance to meet other people or catch up with friends," Gramm said.

In recent years, meat, milk and cheese vendors have come to sell their products at the Riverfront Market, knowing they will be inspected by the Peoria County Health Department regularly.

As far as produce goes, it depends on the time of the season. Strawberries are big items early, then other produce and fruits become plentiful as the summer progresses. Gramm said July and August will have the most available produce.

Live music will be available every week, by individuals or small groups playing a variety of music. "It adds a nice aspect to the market," Gramm said.

Peoria Heights
Each Wednesday afternoon from mid-June through September one can find locally grown produce at Heritage Square in Peoria Heights.

The market there is open from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and also offers handmade specialty food items, baked goods and art. "All items at the market are grown and handmade locally in Illinois," said the market's website: heightsfarmmarket.blogspot.com.

Founded in 2007 by local farmers, the market's mission not only is to give customers accessibility to locally grown food, but also "to raise awareness of healthy eating and good nutrition." It does so through cooking demonstrations and recipes.

The market also has meat, poultry and eggs for sale along with flowers and handmade crafts.

The Heights Market adds another element to a village that is growing as a destination point for tourists, including local tourists.

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