No Farmer's Market This Summer for Algonquin

Residents will not be able to pick up fresh produce this year at the Algonquin Farmer’s Market.

The Downtown Algonquin Partnership decided to cancel this year's farmer's market as it became too difficult for volunteers to properly manage, said Jarid Brockman, a member of the Downtown Algonquin Partnership. The group also had a tough time attracting enough vendors to draw residents out to the market.

Those in charge of the farmer’s market were mainly downtown business owners who volunteered their time on top of managing their own full-time work and family, Brockman said.

“It was all volunteer work,” he said.

The market would have been in its fifth year this year. Last summer, the market was held at Riverfront Park in Algonquin every Thursday from 2 to 7 p.m. from May 26 through September 29.

“We just didn’t have a big turnout. It wasn’t very visible and there weren’t a lot of vendors,” Brockman said.

The Algonquin Rotary Club looked into managing the market, said Brockman, who is also a rotary club member.

In order to properly manage the market, the rotary club decided they would need to hire a market manager—something they were unable to take on.

"We really need someone to encourage vendors to come here, to set up shop, to stay here," Brockman said. "And we need to have someone to enocurage the community members to stop out." 

Successful farmer’s markets, such as the one in Woodstock, have market managers — an employee that is responsible for organizing and managing the market, he said.

"It's something we will look at again in the future," Brockman said. "I know we would love to have it (the farmer's market) in the community." 

Other Area Farmer’s Markets

While Algonquin has cancelled its farmer’s markets, there are still plenty of market options this summer:

• Woodstock Farmer's Market: The market is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October. The market is held in the historic Woodstock Square. The farmer's market draws around 50 vendors on Saturdays and 35 vendors on Tuesdays. In addition to fresh produce, residents can browse baked goods, sweet honey, tender natural beef, pork, poultry, eggs, fine wines, delicious cheeses and much more, according to the Woodstock Farmer's Market website. The market also features live music. 
• Crystal Lake Farmer's Market: The farmer's market opens this Saturday. The farmer's market will run every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is located in Depot Park, which is next to the downtown Metra station at 70 Woodstock St. in Crystal Lake. The market draws around 12 vendors.
• : The Huntley Farmer's Market is held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday at Coral and Church streets in Huntley. Around 20 vendors are expected this year. on Huntley Patch. 
• Following a successful first season, Cary Farmer's Market will open this Sunday at 9 a.m. this Sunday, June 3. The market will be held every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Sept. 30 in the north commuter parking lot near High Road and West Main Street. More than 20 vendors are expected this year.  selection of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. Vendors selling baked goods, jellies, salad dressings, gourmet popcorn, honey and nut butters.

Correction: An earlier article referred to the park where the Algonquin Farmer's Market was held as Riverside Park. The Algonquin Farmer's Market had been held at Riverfront Park.