Those who enjoy fresh, healthy food at the farmers market have two options this winter at the Community Farmers Market: in-person and online!

The Carbondale Community Farmers Market is a winter season, indoor farmers market open every Saturday from 10am-1pm, December 5, 2020 - March 27, 2021 (closed December 26th). This year the market will be in a new location at the University Mall, 1237 E Main St, Carbondale and will look a little different due to COVID. Customers have the option of shopping in-person on Saturdays or preordering their food online at www.carbondalemarket.com and picking it up curbside.

“Farmers markets are considered essential businesses on par with grocery stores. We take that seriously.” says Libby Ervin, market manager. “As one of the few winter farmers markets in our area and the only market with SNAP & Link Match, we were willing to work extra hard this year to connect folks with local farmers in the safest ways possible.”

New this year, customers can preorder their food online at www.carbondalemarket.com and pick it up curbside at a designated time on Saturdays between 10am-1pm. Order periods are Mondays at 8am through Thursdays at 12pm, for pick up on Saturdays. The first order period begins the Monday after Thanksgiving, November 30th at 8am and closes on Thursday, December 3rd at noon. Customers who do not have access to the internet are encouraged to reach out to the market in advance at (618)370-3287 ext. 103 or libby@fwsoil.org to make alternative ordering arrangements.

The in-person farmers market will be smaller in size this year to allow significant space between vendor booths and shoppers. Safety guidelines have been established in collaboration with the Jackson County Health Department, the Illinois Farmers Market Association, the University Mall and the City of Carbondale. Social distancing and masks will be enforced in observance of local and state ordinances. Families are encouraged to send only one person inside to shop at the in-person market when possible.

The market is located inside the University Mall, in the concourse area near the movie theater on the east side of the mall. Customers can access the market via an exterior entrance on the east side of the building or through the mall. Curbside pickup for pre-orders will be outside of the east entrance; customers should look for signage in the parking lot to direct them to the pickup point.

SNAP & Link Match

This year the market continues to welcome SNAP customers with the Link Match double coupon program. Customers with SNAP can use their LINK card to purchase SNAP-eligible foods at the market, and the Link Match program matches these purchases with up to $25 in free produce each week. Customers ordering online using SNAP & Link Match for all or part of their purchase can enter a specific coupon code when placing their order and use their LINK card to pay for their purchase at pick-up on Saturday. Customers can visit carbondalemarket.com/link-match  or call (618) 370-3287 ext. 103 for more information on how the SNAP & Link Match program will work at the market this year.

Support the Winter Market Adapting to Covid-19 on Giving Tuesday

Food Works will also be participating in GIVESI - a 30 hour giving campaign from 6pm on Monday, Nov. 30th through Tuesday, December 1st (Giving Tuesday) and proceeds will support the winter market. The market is facing new costs this year as we adapt to COVID-19, including PPE, signage to direct traffic at our new location, and staff time to help farmers get their items online and packing online orders for customers. By donating through this giving event people increase their impact because Food Works will also receive a portion of the matching fund pool through GIVESI. The direct donation link to support Food Works in this giving campaign is https://bit.ly/GiveSI-FoodWorks.

About the Market

As a producer-only market, everything for sale at the Community Farmers Market is grown, cooked, baked, or made by the person across the table.  Offerings will include a wide range of sustainably grown fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meats, pasture raised eggs, fresh breads, herbs, gourmet mushrooms, syrups, jams, jellies, and other canned goods.  Customers will also find soaps, body products, crafts, homemade pet treats, potted plants, and holiday decorations.

The Carbondale Community Farmers Market is a program of Food Works. Food Works is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization facilitating the development of a regional food economy in Southern Illinois. They believe that a truly enduring approach emphasizes access to good food for everyone, keeps food dollars circulating in local communities, and balances human needs with the health of the air, water and land resources on which all life depends.

The market will be closed for the holidays on Saturday, Dec. 26. For more information visit www.carbondalemarket.com or www.facebook.com/communityfarmersmarket.