Lake Forest Farmers Market Has New Location, New Vendors

The city of Lake Forest Farmers Market opens Saturday with six new vendors, a new location and a new sponsor.

The hours remain the same of 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The farmers market runs every Saturday through the end of October.

The second year of the farmers market will feature a move to the city's East train station depot at Western Avenue and Market Square. The previous spot was the parking area behind .

Six of the 25 vendors are new, and all of them are food only or consumable products. The lineup includes locally produced vegetables from Illinois and Wisconsin, fresh Michigan fruit, local artisan foods, fresh-baked goods, appetizers, desserts, drinks and a local food co-op.

Newcomers include:

• Paquesi’s on the Square, featuring plants, flowers and gifts.

• Freedom Organix sells organic meats and veggies.

• Lester’s Bison Farm in Salem, Wis., has bison meat, buffalo meat and other game.  

• Authentic Greek olive oil and feta cheese from a family farm in Greece  

• HighRise Baking Company from Chicago with handcrafted artisan breads & sweets fresh daily using old family recipes from Europe.   Hand-shape breads such as dinner rolls, batards, baguettes, boules, sandwich rolls & artisan loaves using an a array of bread dough’s such as pretzel, brioche, nine grain, ciabatta, french, sourdough, whole wheat, rye, and pumpernickel.

• Maria O’Rourke, owner of the new Foodlove Culinary Co-op, is linking her commercial kitchen to the and the farmers market. Maria’s “Kitchen Incubator” features several local chefs launching new food, catering businesses or e-commerce businesses. Some of the businesses participating Saturday are Foodlove, Peace of Mind, Mrs. Clarkes Toffee and Garden Gourmet. 

is sponsoring the farmers market and will promote “Healthy Lake Forest”.

Technology has also been integrated. Lake Forest's smartphone app, "Live, Work, Play Lake Forest" will offer a mobile 10-punch card to receive a free Lake Forest book with 10 punches at the farmers market.

Some familiar faces back include Maggies Munchies dog treats; grape seed oil from Wildtree Herbs; fresh berry pies from Franks Karma Café; fresh appetizers from All About Appetizers; fresh donuts and apple pies from an assortment of cheese from The Cheese People; a variety of salsa from Slap Yo Mamma Salsa; baked items from The Last Cup Bakery; popcorn from Tattoo You, and cupcakes, desserts and breads from Swirlcup.

For more information, contact the Office of Economic Development at (847) 613-7005 or visit www.cityoflakeforest.com.