2021 Ravinia Farmers Market Season Opens June 2 in Highland Park
May 27, 2021 (Highland Park) —The Ravinia Farmers Market opens for its 43rd season from 8a.m. to 1p.m.on Wednesday, June 2 at Jens Jensen Park, in Highland Park, with a special Customer Appreciation Day, featuring dozens of vendors, live acoustic music, organic product giveaways and more. Market attendees can also win community-provided prizes in an 11a.m. free drawing. The Ravinia market is one of only two markets in the Chicago area featuring local, organic produce grown by North Shore vendors. This year’s market will be bigger than ever, having nearly doubled vendor participation since 2020, says market manager Ed Kugler, who has managed the market since 2016. In addition to retaining most vendors from last year, Kugler has added many new vendors to its weekly line-up of onsite tents, curbside pick-up and co-op tent participants. Each week’s market will feature seasonal selections from more than 35 local Midwest farmers, producers, artisans and organizations under the tents along Dean Avenue and through Jens Jensen Park. The 2021 market will continue the successful pre-order curbside pickup option, explains Kugler. New this year, he adds, is a vendor co-op tent to allow shoppers an even greater selection of locally-grown and produced market items. Kugler is especially proud of the new website for the Ravinia Farmers Market (RaviniaFarmersMarket.com), which highlights weekly market information and vendors, and features links, videos, recipes and more. Customers can also look ahead to the season for expanded social media coverage, a newsletter, market job board and more ways to purchase local products. Live music rejoins the market scene this year, as “Jazzman” Jeff Justman, Pierce Crask and other Chicago area acoustic musicians offer live entertainment in pass-the-hat style. Looks for regular music performances each week in a socially-distanced location adjacent to the market grounds. More information can be found on the market website. COVID-19 protocols remain at the forefront for the safety of customers, vendors and market staff, Kugler says. “Current COVID- 19 state and local protocols will be followed and adapted to changing conditions as we are directed. The RFM is a member of the Illinois Farmers Market Association (ILFMA), which works with the governor’s office to determine how all farmers markets in Illinois will follow the current COVID-19 protocols. We’re also working closely with the City of Highland Park for local requirements.” The Ravinia Farmers Market is one of two markets located across from train stations along the Union Pacific North Metra Line. The new Glencoe Farmers Market, also managed by Kugler, opens June 10 from 3:30-7p.m. in Wyman Green. This is the second year the Ravinia Neighbors Association is the Permit Sponsor for the Market, which allows the weekly event to have non-profit status. The market runs through October 27.
2021 Season Welcome
Hello Ravinia Farmers Market Customers! I’m so happy to send you this email and look forward to welcoming you to the 2021 season of the Ravinia Farmers Market. This is my fifth season as RFM market manager, and I am eagerly awaiting greeting you all in person starting at 7a.m. on June 2, the official opening of the Market, The Market will be open each Wednesday from 7a.m. until 1p.m., rain or shine, through October 27. Once again, the RFM is located in Jens Jensen Park (486 Roger Williams Avenue, across from the Ravinia Metra station). You’ll recognize many familiar vendors from last year, as well as some new local farmers and businesses that are joining us this year. We’ll be continuing the pre-order curbside service as well as the Vendor Co-Op Tent, and offering new shopping options as the season gets started (including a Virtual Farmers Market for home delivery directly from our vendor partners). Please see our soon to be available vendor map for details. Our famous Customer Appreciation Days are back this year! Join us on June 2 for opening day celebrations, including giveaways of foods bags and items from Ravinia Festival and other merchants plus a free drawing. Covid-19 Guidelines /ProtocolsWe’ll be following CDC, State of Illinois and Highland Park Guidelines, as well as those established by the Ilinois Farmers Market Association (ILFMA). These include: Live Music is Back!Musical entertainment will be provided by volunteer musicians. Please support them as they support us by leaving a donation in the jar. Scheduled so far: New website!I’m happy to announce our new website design at www.RaviniaFarmersMarket.com! Our web guru is Geoff Shell, and he’s done an outstanding job! I hope you check the site frequently for weekly updates, vendor listings, recipes, shopping options and more.We’re now accepting applications for volunteers to assist with market day, as well as social media, website, market prep and more. The form is at www.RaviniaFarmersMarket.com/volunteer.Sign up for our weekly newsletter on our website and stay up to date! NEW – Glencoe Farmers Market! We’re launching the new Glencoe Farmers Market on Thursday, June 10 from 3:30-7:30p.m.Check out GlencoeFarmersMarket.com for all the details. Ravinia Neighbors Association (RNA) – permit sponsorRFM’s relationship with the RNA continues this year, which enables us to be considered a 501(c)(3) organization.Please consider becoming a member if you are interested in Ravinia District area concerns or any Highland Park related issues. This group is always available through their website at www.RaviniaNeighbors.org. Join them at monthly meetings with Zoom or say hi at the Welcome Tent entrance at the Market and get their membership flyer. Once again, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Ravinia Farmers’ Market 2021 Season! We look forward to serving you and making this our best Market season ever! Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, concerns, etc. Naturally yours, Ed Kugler 2021 Ravinia Farmers Market, Market ManagerTaste Marketing, Inc., Founder
