PEORIA MAGAZINE May 2022

AREAMARKETS Meanwhile, there is no shortage of fresh food in central Illinois. Some vital stats on some of the other markets in the area: EAST PEORIA FARMERS MARKET 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays starting May 20 in the Levee District on the Pedestrian Promenade JUNCTION CITY FARMERS MARKET 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays starting May 24 KELLER STATION FARMERS MARKET 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays starting May 4 MORTON FARMERS MARKET 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays starting June 7 at Church Square, 225 E. Jefferson St. PEKIN FARMERS MARKET 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays starting June 2 at the Pekin Park District’s Miller Center PEORIA FARMERS MARKET AT METRO CENTRE 8 a.m. until sold out Monday through Saturday starting May 1 PEORIA RIVERFRONT MARKET 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays starting May 21

F A R M E R S M A R K E T S

FARMERS MARKET SEASON IS UPON US

BY MIKE BAILEY

T here’s a new kid on the block in the central Illinois farmers market scene. PeoriaHeightswill resurrect its farmers market after an absence of several years, with 20-30 vendors setting up shop on the historic Pabst Brewery grounds, 4541 N. Prospect Road, starting on Thursday, May 26, and continuing every Thursday thereafter – 19 Thursdays in all — through Sept. 29. The markets will run between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and feature a variety of growers, makers, food and drink proprietors, live music, the Heights pedal bus, etc. Therewill be an emphasis on local involvement from those small businesses that have brick-and-mortar operations nearby and so distinguish the Heights as a regional destination. Spaces also will be reserved for local and area not-for-profits looking to bring attention and resources to their causes, and the market will provide opportunities to donate to the Heights’

two food pantries at St. Thomas Catholic Church and Peoria Heights Congregational Church, as well as local school service organizations. Once amonth, themarketswill sport a theme. Therewill be aMeet Your Heroes Thursday featuring first responders, for example. Anothermarketmay showcase

‘WE ARE SITTING IN THE BEST SPOT IN THE COUNTRY’

Julie Bielfeldt

school mascots. Organizers also would like to take advantage of the space the site offers with, say, a disc golf table that allows visitors to try out its wares. The dynamic duo behind the Heights market consists of real estate broker Julie Bielfeldt and Samantha Hutchison, the owner of Bear’s Bites, a dog and cat food operation. They faced multiple challenges in launching.

Samantha Hutchison and Julie Bielfeldt, Peoria Heights Farmers Market coordinators

22 MAY 2022 P EORIA MAGAZINE