Riverside Farmers' Market Returns Today

Quick reminder that the first Riverside Farmers'Market of the season kicks off today, Wednesday, June 7th at 2:30 pm right under the Water Tower. Here's an update from Amy Jacksic with all of the details:
​

​The Riverside Farmers’ Market Committee is thrilled to bring you another season of the market every Wednesday from 2:30-7pm from June 7-October 11. Similar to last year, you will find us under the Water Tower.

​We’re excited to announce a few changes in the setup this year. Thanks to new health inspection guidelines, we are able to have the layout that we always wanted for the Water Tower location. All vendors will be alongside the sidewalk allowing shoppers to easily meander through the park and visit all of the vendors. No more grassy slope to navigate! In addition, East Avenue will not be closed during the market allowing access to local businesses, parking on East and Pine and drive by pickup options.

We are early in the produce season but you can expect asparagus, berries, cabbage, cherries, lettuce, onions, radishes and rhubarb plus much more!

You asked and asked and we finally got a knife sharpener back so don’t forget to bring your knives, scissors and gardening tools. He can do it all! We have a new pie vendor that will be purchasing her ingredients from our farmers whenever possible so be sure to sample the ultimate local pie! We will of course have ready to eat meals from Rose’s that you can enjoy right at the market with your friends and family so bring a blanket and tell your commuter friends to hop off the Metra and walk over.

Don’t forget that the market does not allow vendors to use plastic straws, styrofoam or non-compostable plastic cutlery, plates or cups. Be sure to thank them for supporting our mission to minimize our impact on the environment. In addition, don’t forget to bring your own reusable shopping bags instead of taking plastic from the vendors, if possible. Girl Scout Troop 41020 will be selling perennials at the community table!

Summer Reading 2017 – Reading by Design kicks off Wednesday June 7th and runs through August 5th. Kick-off party from 6 – 8 on June 7th with fun activities and make your own sundaes for those who register for the program that day. High school and adult patrons can register at the Library’s Booth at the Farmers’ Market during June. Check out information in Library or on the Library’s website for all the fun programs and activities we have planned this summer.

The Library will be hiding the Fruit and Vegetable Stuffed toys this year beginning with the June 14th Market. If you find the location of that day’s special fruit or vegetable you can claim a special prize at the Library’s booth. Open to children 12 and under.

Thanks to Jeff & Sara Baker at Burlington Realty for generously sponsoring the live music tent for a second consecutive year. We have live music scheduled each week through September. Sean Short will be featured in the tent at our first market. If you are interested in playing in the tent, please contact Janice Foley at janicefoley@riversidelibrary.org.

We also need to thank the members and officers of Riverside Masonic Lodge No. 862 for allowing our vendors to park in their lot, ensuring that as much parking as possible will be available on the street for our shoppers. Don’t forget that if you park far away, the Riverside Juniors donated shopping carts that you can use to transport your goods to your car. Just let a Market Manager know that you will be pulling around with the cart and we will grab it from you so that you don’t need to exit your vehicle!
​
We are always looking for volunteers. You can devote as little or as much time as you like. We can find a way to get you involved. Please e-mail the committee at riverside-farmers-market@googlegroups.com to learn more. We also have a few extra Riverside Farmers’ Market lawn signs if you are willing to place one in a prominent place in town and be responsible for it for the season. You can e-mail us at the same address to get one.

​Be sure to like the Riverside Farmers'Market Facebook page to stay up to date on all the market news.

FYI: Amy gave me the heads up that the pizza vendor will not be returning this year, but La Barra's got you covered with takeout pizza nearby in addition to the other local food vendors right at the market.

Follow our Live Here Riverside Facebook page to catch all of our new posts & updates.