Now in its third year, the Farmers Market at St. John’s Episcopal Church, located at 750 Aurora Ave., is attracting some big names to this growing Naperville farmers market. Sean Considine, who played for the Baltimore Ravens when they won the Super Bowl in 2012, now runs a 30-foot mobile meat market. In partnership with Headon Meats in Creston, Illinois, weekly offerings include fresh Angus beef including steaks, roasts and burgers, as well as ribs, chicken, pork and a variety of brats.
Another new vendor to the market this year is DeEtta’s Bakery of Naperville. This old-fashioned bakery makes everything by hand using artisan flours, real butter and no preservatives or food additives. They will offer a wide selection of products at the Farmers Market at St. John’s, including cookies, breads, scones, muffins, brownies, and tarts.
The Farmers Market at St. John’s runs every Wednesday from 3PM to 7PM, beginning June 3 through September 16 (closed July 1). The market features a variety of vendors offering seasonally fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as micro-greens, meats, cheese, organic specialty foods, breads, pastries and cookies, toffee, kettle corn, honey, teas and spices, oils and vinegars, fresh cut flowers and plants, kitchen gadgets, natural skin care products, French linens and many other fine offerings.
“We are excited to see the word getting out about our market and attracting the names of very popular vendors among farmers markets,” says Jan Hummel, Market Master for the Farmers Market at St. John’s. “We enjoy supporting local businesses, offering a service to the community at-large and making a positive impact on St. John’s outreach initiatives.”
Vendors pay a space rental fee for use of St. John’s parking lot to sell their products directly to the public over the 16-week period. The net proceeds from those fees will help fund St. John’s outreach initiatives including a youth mission trips and support a range of organizations from local to international, such as Loaves & Fishes, Hesed House, Trinity Sandwich Board, Lifespring, Naperville Chaplains Association and Feed My Starving Children.
In addition to new vendors, the Farmers Market at St. John’s will be hosting monthly special events that will feature special guests, food, games and prizes. The summer event schedule includes a Flag Day celebration on June 17, Christmas in July event on July 15 and a National Farmers Market Week celebration on August 5.
For inquiries about the farmers market at St. John’s, email farmersmarketatstjohns@gmail.com or visit stjohns-episcopal.com.
Fifth Ave. Station Farmers Market Starts June 6
Local farmers sell fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, baked goods and other produce in an open-air market at the Fifth Avenue Station parking lot, 200 E. 5th Ave., from 7AM to noon every Saturday from June through October. For more information, call (630) 369-5638.