Finally: Wait for fresh, seasonal produce ends as farmers markets open across region

May 8-One can't be faulted for wondering what season it is, based on the roller-coaster ride of daily temperatures over the past month or so.

The good news is, it's finally farmers market season.

Region's markets at a glance

Alton: Alton Farmers and Artisans Market opens May 9 at Landmarks Boulevard and Henry Street. It runs from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday through Oct. 17. Along with locally grown produce, the market's more than 150 vendors offer a range of specialty foods and handmade jewelry and crafts.

Alton: Alton Night Market runs from 7 to 10 p.m. each Thursday in June and July in the green space on Third Street. Along with booths featuring homegrown and handmade products, local artwork also will be for sale. There also will be live music each week.

Carlinville: Carlinville Market Days will run the first Saturday of each month through November. Along with more traditional farmers market fare, such as locally grown produce, the event features vendors selling a range of arts, crafts and other items.

Edwardsville: Land of Goshen Community Market opens May 9 in City Park at South Kansas and West Park streets. It runs from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday through Oct. 17, with weekly themes.

Jacksonville: Jacksonville Farmers Market will run from 7 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Oct. 31, from 7 a.m. to noon Tuesdays through Sept. 8 and from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sept. 9 at 1905 W. Morton Ave., in the Pathway Services Unlimited parking lot.

Jerseyville: Jersey County Farmers and Artisans Market will run from 4 to 7 p.m. each Tuesday from June 2 through Sept. 1 at Jerseyville City Center Plaza, 403 N. State St., with the exception of July 14, when there will be no market.

Springfield: Old Capitol Farmers Market will run from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Wednesday and Saturday from May 16 through Oct. 27 along Adams Street between Second and Fifth streets in downtown Springfield. Around 75 vendors are signed up for the 2026 season.

Springfield: Illinois Product Farmers Market will run from 4 to 7 p.m. each Thursday - except Aug. 13 and 20 - through Sept. 24 at The Shed at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Rushville: Rushville Farmers Market will run from 7 a.m. to noon each Friday through October on the Rushville square on Congress Street. Along with fresh produce, the market offers fresh baked goods and other foods.

Jacksonville Farmers Market opened May 2, with nearly two dozen vendors filling the east end of the Pathway Services Unlimited parking lot along Morton Avenue from 7 a.m. to noon.

"We enjoy bringing the product directly to the people," said Jennifer Robertson of Doe Eyed Dairy, which was offering both white and chocolate whole milk on opening day. "We get to meet our customers and talk about what makes our product different."

Some booths had limited offerings this early in the season, with Baalman Produce of Calhoun County focusing on strawberries, owner Drew Baalman said.

"We're getting the early season going with strawberries," he said. "As summer progresses, we'll have tomatoes, peaches, cucumbers, zucchini, just about anything we can grow in this region."

Gregory's Orchard and Gardens of Lynnville offered tomato plants in several varieties, along with a bit of early-season produce.

Others weren't as limited by recent cool temperatures.

Rebekah Pentecost of Simply Sourdough and Marissa Pilarte of Home Sweet Keto both offered a range of baked goods, with Pentecost focusing on sourdough breads, cinnamon rolls and cookies and Pilarte focusing on sugar-free, gluten-free and keto cookies and other items.

"I love being able to offer another option for those who are gluten-free or sugar-free," Pilarte said. "There's not a lot out there that's healthy."

Pilarte started her home bakery in 2023, inspired in part by her grandmother, who participated in past years' farmers markets, and her mother.

"The idea started because my mom was diagnosed with diabetes," she said. "I needed to try to figure out recipes for things she could eat, things that were sugar-free, gluten-free. For people who are diabetic, there aren't a lot of options in Jacksonville."

It wasn't simply about grabbing an artificial sweetener and substituting it for sugar in a standard recipe, Pilarte said.

"I try to find sweeteners that are natural, like monk fruit, that have a better taste and incorporate into the baked good better," she said. "... Even to this day, I feel like there are people who are turned (off) by the idea of sugar-free."

Opening day of the Jacksonville market also featured vendors offering locally raised meats, honey, natural skincare products and pet treats, among other items.

Along with Saturday hours that will run through October, the market also will be open from 7 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays in the same location at 1905 W. Morton Ave.

Rushville Farmers Market also opened as the calendar turned to May, with hours from roughly 7 a.m. to noon each Friday through October on the Rushville square along Congress Street.

Opening day on May 1 featured a handful of vendors, though that is expected to grow as the season progresses, said Reeves Houston, Schuyler County health inspector and the person tasked with ensuring homemade baked goods being sold at the market meet state guidelines.

Headed up by Rushville Chamber of Commerce, the market is a casual affair, Houston said.

"On a bad day, you might only see one or two vendors," he said. "On a good day, you might see people set up all the way around the square."

Vendors selling fresh-picked produce were lacking on opening day, though Houston expects that to change as the weather warms.

"When we do get produce people in, there are days when everything's almost picked clean," he said.

Along with homemade baked goods and still-to-come produce, the Rushville market often offers homemade jams and pickled items, locally produced frozen meats, fresh flowers, and people selling jewelry and woodworking, he said.

"It really started off with just farmers coming and setting up on the square," Houston said. "Nobody said you can't do it, nobody said you can. ... It's almost come and go as you please."

The relaxed atmosphere has worked, though, and the market is expanding, with hours now being offered from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays.

"It's something new they're trying," Houston said. "There's a little less attendance, but still we get some baked goods people."

Among the region's larger markets are two in Springfield.

The Old Capitol Farmers' Market will run from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Wednesday and Saturday from May 16 through Oct. 27 along Adams Street between Second and Fifth streets in downtown Springfield, while the Illinois Product Farmers Market will run from 4 to 7 p.m. each Thursday - except Aug. 13 and 20 - through Sept. 24 at The Shed at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

The Old Capitol market has around 75 vendors signed up for the 2026 season, with available items ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to eggs, baked goods, meats, cheeses, pastas and specialty foods. Artisan crafts also will be available.

Everything available for purchase during the product market is produced, packaged or processed in Illinois, according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

"Ag connects us all, and farmers markets are about more than just fresh food on Illinoisans' tables," Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said in helping to announce the opening of the product market's season. "They're about supporting local farmers, strengthening our communities and expanding access to healthy options across the state."

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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 11:56 PM.