WHY SHOP LOCAL

The Farmers Market of Carbondale has been more than just a place to shop! It's a Saturday morning tradition that brings our community together around fresh food, friendly faces, and Southern Illinois pride.

VENDOR INFORMATION

The Power of Buying Local

Support local farmers and makers. When you shop at our market, you’re buying directly from the people who grow your food and craft your goods. Every purchase helps small family farms and local entrepreneurs thrive. Fresher food, better flavor. Local food doesn’t travel thousands of miles. It’s harvested at peak ripeness and often brought to market the same day. That means better taste, more nutrients, and less waste. Keep dollars in our local economy. For every dollar spent locally, up to 68 cents stays in the community. Your support helps create jobs, fund schools, and strengthen the local economy. Protect the environment. Local farms typically use more sustainable growing practices and require less packaging and transportation. Shopping local helps reduce your carbon footprint and supports responsible land stewardship.

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Market History

History of the Carbondale Farmers’ Market

The Carbondale Farmers Market developed from a conference sponsored by the Hunger Action Program of the United Church of Christ. Early in 1975, Dave Ostendorf, Roz Ostendorf, Mike Schechman and Sandra Leitner attended a two-day conference sponsored by the Hunger Action Program. Following the conference, Roz Mike and Sandra met in the dining room of Sandra’s home to discuss a variety of options in organizing a local farmers market and the group decided to proceed with the formation of the Carbondale Farmers Market.

Dave, Roz, and Mike were the staff and the founders of the Illinois South Project in Herrin, an agency advocating for the responsible stewardship of our earth’s resources. The name and location of this agency have both changed.

Initially, a number of farmers were unenthusiastic and skeptical about the formation of the market. In the first year of operation the market had about five farmers selling their produce. By the second year the attitudes of many farmers changed from skepticism to enthusiastic support.

Originally the farmers market board of directors consisted of Dave Ostendorf, Roz Ostendorf, Mike Schechman, Mike Grady, Sandra Leitner, Mike San Fillippo, Janet Smith and Polly Thompson. By the end of 1977, the board grew to include Grover Leech, Jenny Jaros, John Smith, Henry Lingle and Mike Wagner.

Henry Lingle and his family are the only farmers who originally participated in 1975 and are currently participating in selling at the market.

The market has had four locations. First it began in the parking lot across from Dillinger’s Feed Store. Second is was located at the SIU Parking lot on Southern Illinois Avenue and Grand. Third it moved to an SIU parking lot south of the SIU Arena. The fourth and current location is at the parking lot located in the Westowne Centre Mall.

This is our 35th year open Saturday 8 am to 12 pm – rain or shine. Open through November.

The market features locally grown produce, fruits, plants, flowers, baked goods, beef, canned goods, woodworking, pet products, crafts, jewelry, honey and more.

We have guidelines to go by, also officers. Our market manager is Ann Stahlheber.

MORE THAN A MARKET

SNAP, Murphysboro Food
Pantry & Good Samaritan

For every dollar you spend with SNAP, you also get a dollar in Link Match currency.

When you swipe your SNAP card you will be given wooden currency (to be used at our market only) on meats, fruits, veggies, plant starts, seeds-if they will produce food, breads & cereals, dairy-including cheese, snack food, non-alcoholic beverages, and dried herbs. This DOES NOT include hot/cooked foods or drinks. For every dollar you spend with SNAP you will receive the same amount of Link voucher currency. Link vouchers are not restricted solely to our market, but any participating market in Illinois (but are different from the Link vouchers for brick and mortar stores such as The Neighborhood Co-op Grocery). Link vouchers can be used on fresh fruits & vegetables, mushrooms, and food-producing plants.

At the end of market have you ever seen people handing out empty boxes or wheeling a dolly of produce down the market and wondered why?
Each week when some of our produce vendors have unsold goods they kindly donate them to both Good Samaritan and the Murphysboro Food Pantry. These items aren't discarded damaged items, but rather produce that is in good condition and has been produced in surrounding communities on small farms. Items that have been planted, nurtured, grown and harvested locally by kind farmers and then brought to market to sell along with everything else. They donate these items to help those who need it. When items are donated, some get cooked up into meals while others are passed out as are to those who have the want/need. The market is appreciative to both the farmers who take the time to grow and give their hard earned items away for free, as well as those who volunteer their time at both Good Samaritan and the Murphysboro Food Pantry to come collect items and then distribute them however they see fit.

Experience the
Difference

Whether you're new to town or a longtime regular, we invite you to join us and discover what makes our market special. Come early for the best selection, stay for the conversation, and leave with more than just groceries, you’ll leave with a sense of connection.