Farmers Market Offers a Feast of Fruits, Veggies, Flowers and More

Fresh veggies, fresh fruits, and new vendors were all part of opening day for the Grayslake Farmers Market. Opening day of the spring season included more than 50 vendors and an encouraging measure of new and long-time loyal shoppers April 2 in downtown Grayslake.

“Fresh veggies, fruits, everything,” said shopper Nancy Mason about what keeps her coming back to the market.

A variety of vendors including those that sell organic produce, meat, cheese, hummus, wine, specialty pies and even flowers lined downtown Center Street excited to discuss their products and greet new and familiar faces.

Dave Dodson, business office manager of Wild Flour Bakery, said the Milwaukee-based business has been at the Grayslake Farmers Market for the past six to seven years. Wild Flour Bakery specializes in artisan breads.

“Grayslake is one of my favorites,” Dodson said about the markets in which he participates. “The people really support their market. Good weather or bad, people turn out. Eighty percent of my customers are return customers.”

Julie Jason, spring and fall Grayslake Farmers Market manager, said opening day got the season off to a great start. “We’re really pleased with the turnout,” Jason said. When talking about the crowd and vendors she said, “People are ready and excited.”

Sarah Schwavzkopf spent the morning visiting the market with her sister.

Schwavzkopf said she enjoys supporting local efforts. “I’m a big fan of local. I love it, the variety, the produce,” she said.

Ron Lester, founder of Lester’s Bison Farm and , has participated in the market for 10 years.

“This is home,” he said about Grayslake, where Lester’s Material Service is located. He represents Wisconsin-based Lester’s Bison Farm at the market, which has been specializing in American buffalo meat since 1973.

“I love doing it. People are excited to come. It’s an excellent market,” he said.

Some shoppers, like Bob and Joan Schilling, said this was their first time at the market as the two looked over a large display of jams and salsas.

Shopper Dennis Black told Andrew Mansour of Wauconda-based M. Belle’s Pie and Bake Shop, another vendor at the market, that the shop’s pies were a hit. Black said that his wife went on Facebook immediately after having a piece of one of their pies to spread the word about the company to all her friends.

“You all do great work,” he said, while picking out a pie to bring home. M. Belle’s Pie and Bake Shop is a division of Frank’s Karma Café.

“They’re just good, solid people,” Mansour said about the market shoppers in Grayslake.

The Grayslake Farmers Market spring season runs every Saturday April 2 through May 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, participating vendors’ information and to sign up for market’s newsletter visit www.grayslakefarmersmarket.com.