The farmers market in Buffalo Grove opened for the season Sunday at Mike Rylko Community Park — marking the 14th year of the market — and more than 20,000 people are expected to visit over the four-month run.
Volunteers work the market, including Paulette Greenberg, the market manager.
Greenberg said “you have to support local businesses and farmers.”
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She said they work hard for what they do, pointing out that some of the produce at the market Sunday had been picked only two days before – also citing freshness and proximity to regional fee sources.
Approximately 30 vendors are signed up for the market this season, Greenberg said, but that can fluctuate depending on vendor inventory and other factors. The market, which is scheduled to be open on Sundays through October, is expected to feature weekly entertainment along with several nonprofit booths.
Among the new offerings this season is a local restaurant making a pancake breakfast.
“Opening day, it’s a nice steady crowd,” Greenberg said.
Several attendees said they were grateful to be outside after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, though farmers markets were considered “essential” business and were open during the pandemic when others were ordered to be closed as part of public health precautions.
“COVID [called for] a lot of restrictions, but we were here,” Greenberg said.
Jaimie Steffens, of Buffalo Grove, and mother Janet Steffens, of Morton Grove, were at opening day of the market looking for produce.
“We’re going to come back, there’s a lot of very cool booths here,” said Janet Steffens mother said.
Jaimie Steffens called it “very green to eat local.”
Strawberries were in season, although asparagus is near the end. Still, the market had a number of items for patrons to choose from.
“We’re getting very close to things like zucchini, cucumbers, pickles,” said vendor Scott Koster of Burlington, Wisconsin, owner of Geneva Lakes Produce.
Local corn will probably start coming in during late July, Koster said.
Koster said “there’s certain food items that Buffalo Grove does, like Yukon gold potatoes and pickles.
“This is like the pickle capital of Illinois,” Koster said about Buffalo Grove. “Everybody likes pickles.”
Carol Dullard, of Buffalo Groves, usually shops at the market “most every week.”
The Buffalo Grove farmers market runs on Sunday through Oct. 16, and per village ordinance, no dogs are allowed at the market.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.