La Grange Farmers Market Returns

LA GRANGE, IL — The La Grange Farmers Market is set to return next month with a new layout, safety protocols and social distancing measures in place, according to a news release from the La Grange Business Association.

It is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays starting June 4 and will run through October on Harris Avenue near La Grange Road.

Following guidelines from the Illinois Farmers Market Association, shoppers and vendors will be required to wear face coverings, the association said. A limited number of people will be allowed into the market at a time to shop; seniors are encouraged to shop 7 to 7:30 a.m.

Additionally, vendors must wear gloves and shoppers will not be allowed to touch or handle any products. Vendors instead will assemble the shopper's order and process payment. Eating and sampling food will not be permitted.

More than 20 local farms and small-batch vendors will sell fruits, vegetables, flowers, breads, honey, cheeses and other items, including two new vendors, Soft Wave Fish Co. and Elsie Mae Canning & Pies. For added efficiency, several vendors will offer pre-ordering on their websites, including Soft Wave Fish Co., Olivaceto, Katic Bread, LUXXE/HONOR and Island Soapies.

"The market will look and feel a little different this year but will still be a wonderful opportunity to purchase locally-sourced food that ripens in the soil instead of in supermarket bins," Nancy Cummings, the executive director of the La Grange Business Association, said in a statement.

The sponsors of the market are Prasino, a farm-to-table restaurant, and Kathy Dierkes State Farm Insurance.

Additional information on the La Grange Farmers Market may be found at the business association's website or the market's Facebook page.