JJC's Farmers Market Debuts This Thursday

Joliet Junior College's new farmers market makes its debut Thursday afternoon. Here's everything you need to know if you want to check it out: Joliet Junior College will host a weekly farmers market this summer thanks to a $92,000 grant awarded to the college last fall from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP). JJC is the only community college in the nation to receive grant funding from this program. The market will be held on the Main Campus, 1215 Houbolt Road in Joliet, every Thursday from May 23 to Oct. 24 (except July 4) 3 to 7 p.m. in the area around the Greenhouse Facility, accessible directly from Houbolt. Visitors can park in the lot next to the Greenhouse, which is on the west side of Houbolt. See a map of Main Campus “We’re so pleased to be hosting a farmers market at JJC this summer,” said Donna Theimer, department chair of agriculture and horticulture. “With a wide variety of local vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, baked goods and other products, this is a great opportunity to support our local farmers and businesses and provide our community with fresh food.” What’s the market all about? (VIDEO) In addition to local vendors, events are being planned for each market such as activities for kids, musical performances, chef demonstrations, plant doctor/horticulture advice, and much more. Cash and SNAP/LINK cards will be accepted at the market; visitors will be able to exchange a set amount of money for tokens, which can then be used at each vendor; or they can choose to pay vendors directly. JJC was one of 131 projects in 39 states to receive funding under the USDA’s FMPP. The grants are targeted to help increase and strengthen direct producer-to-consumer marketing channels. Through a competitive grants application process, FMPP funds marketing proposals not only for farmers markets but also for community-supported agriculture programs. For more information, visit jjc.edu/info/farmersmarket or call 815-280-6622. Vendors will include: Vendor Name Products Website Arnold's Farm Frozen cuts of beef, pork, & chicken, Grilled sausage, pulled pork and/or italian beef sandwiches. www.arnoldsfarm.com Buddy's Biscuit Bakery All natural dog treats
CC's Specialty Foods Honey and Dave's Coffee cakes ccsspecialtyfoods.com Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm Beef, pork, chicken, eggs, bacon, sausage, & salad mix www.cedarvalleysustainable.com Crown Baking Co. Smash cake in a jar
Destiny Delights cookies, brownies, muffins, cakes, cupcakes, & assorted breads
Fitz's Superior Farm Vegetable started plants & assorted vegetable varieties
*Assortment varies by season facebook.com/fitzssuperiorfarm Gramp's Gourmet Foods sweet pickles, sour pickles,  pickled beets, apple cider, Martha's mustard grampsgourmetfoods.com Grow Tower Gardens tower garden grow system growveggieswith.towergarden.com Knutson's Country Harvest jams, jellies, pies, berries, fruits, assorted fresh vegetables, honey, eggs, fresh herbs
*Assortment varies by season knutsonsharvest.com Lange's Farm A wide variety of seasonal fresh vegetables
*Assortment varies by season www.langesfarm.com Operation Support Our Troops-America Patriotic jewelry, concert tickets and concert t-shirts sold to support our Veterans and current military troops serving our country osotamerica.org Presto Pesto Inc Assorted pesto, garlic pickles, jam, salsa and soups prestopesto.com Rainbow Harvest Hydroponic Greenhouse Hydroponic vegetables & fruit
*Assortment varies by season www.rainbowcrop.com Hasselmann Family Farm, Inc. Eggs, pork, beef, lamb, chicken, stone ground whole wheat mixes, cheese. www.hasselmanngarm.com Richs Sharpening Service Inc. Full knife and tool sharpening service
Sinfully Delicious Brownies, cookies, cakes, and gluten free baked goods sinfullydeliciousbrownies.com Sugar Forest Treats Specialty rice crispy treats and homemade marshmallows sugarforest.weebly.com Sustainable Agriculture Food Exchange Assorted fresh fruit & vegetables, various bedding plants
*Assortment varies by season
Turtle Acres Handcrafted jellies, jams, fruit butters, and salsas www.turtleacres.net Will County Land Use Depart Resource Recovery&Energy Division Community Outreach www.willcountygreen.com