FAQ

BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH FOOD

If you are a farmers' market regular, chances are you are a self-admitted aficionado of local food. You probably also realize it's sometimes not very easy to find local food, especially through mainstream retailers. As a fan of local food, you may also be interested in knowing the governor and Illinois legislature recently took action to determine what it would take to build an Illinois-based food system. Under the Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act of 2007, a task force has been established and charged with developing a plan for growing and distributing more food locally. The task force is looking for input from consumers, farmers, and others throughout the state. You can learn more about this work -- and find out how to provide input by clicking here.

MARKET OFFERS JURIED ARTS & FINE CRAFTS

When the Farmers' Market first started offering local arts and crafts three years ago, we weren't sure if paintings could hold their own against peaches. Well, guess what? Despite a somewhat higher cost per pound, we've found our customers like buying art from the artist as much as they like buying food from the farmer.

This year, all arts and crafts offered for sale at the market have been juried, ensuring everything you find here will be high-quality work created by the artist's own hand.

MARKET BECOMES "PRODUCER ONLY"

Our Market has always specialized in local produce grown by the farmer selling it -- but in 2006, we took the final step to become a "producer only" or "grower only" market. This means our farmers must raise all of the products they sell at the Market. Like our our jury process for artists, this takes the Farmers' Market to a new level of quality -- and it puts us on par with top farmers' markets across the country. We hope you enjoy the confidence that comes with knowing our farmers have grown everything they sell.

FREE GARDENING ADVICE

The McLean County Master Gardeners have an information table at the Farmers' Market each Saturday and are available to answer your gardening questions. Samples of problem or suspicious leaves or branches may be brought to the booth, in clear plastic bags, and the Master Gardeners will take them to the office for further research if necessary. This is a great opportunity for getting those plant and garden questions answered! Also, the staff will be able to provide information about the Master Gardener program.

WHAT IF IT RAINS?

Grab an umbrella, throw on a raincoat, or don a rain poncho . . . the farmers' market always goes on . . . rain or shine!

DOES SHOPPING MAKE YOU HUNGRY?

Downtown Bloomington has a wide choice of restaurants to satisfy your cravings. A complete list of restaurants is available here. Here are a few

BREAKFAST or COFFEE BREAK -- Try Coffeehound (407 N. Main; espresso and homemade baked goods; open at 6:30 a.m.) or Kelly's Bakery & Cafe (113 N Center; homemade cinnamon rolls and other baked goods, breakfast casseroles, quiches, coffee; open at 7:00 a.m.)
LUNCH or DINNER -- Try Reality Bites (414 N. Main; sandwiches and smoothies . . . tapas at night); Rosie's (cafe features unique entrees and sandwiches); Maguire's Bar & Grill (218 N. Center; casual American cuisine); Kelly's Bakery & Cafe (creative sandwiches, soups, homemade baked goods); La Bamba (108 W. Washington; "Burritos As Big As Your Head!®"); Central Station, (220 E. Front St.; salads, sandwiches, quiches; located in Bloomington's original central fire station); Golden Dragon (111 W Monroe St; delicious, affordable Chinese dishes); Lucca Grill (116 E. Market; draft beer and great pizza); Michael's Restaurant (110 W. Washington; lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch); or Lancaster's Fine Dining (513 N. Main; fusion style cuisine; open for dinner only)
Check out complete restaurant listings here.

DID YOU KNOW?

Several downtown stores open as early as 7:30 a.m. on Saturdays for Farmers' Market customers. Check out the following shops:

ON MAIN -- Glitterati (open @ 8 -- hair styling, manicures, etc.); Crossroads Global Handcrafts (open @ 8 -- non-profit, volunteer-staffed outlet for handcrafts from around the world); Common Ground (open @ 7:30 -- natural and organic foods -- a great complement to your Farmers' Market purchases!); Bliss (Yoga Boutique, natural skin care products and gift items); Thrive (fitness and pilates studio).
ON CENTER -- A. Renee (gourmet specialties, Illinois wines)
ON MONROE: Fox & Hounds (salon, day spa, and specialty shop)

Most other downtown shops open by 10 a.m. They offer lots of unique items and a fun shopping experience, so you'll want to hit them, too. See the Downtown Shopping page for more details!