The Libertyville Farmers Market opened its season May 31 with warm weather and good crowds, but buyers will have to wait for certain produce selections as farmers play catch up after a cold early spring growing season.
The market is located in Cook Park in downtown Libertyville and is open on Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market will be open on June 7 and then will run every Thursday from June 21 through Oct. 18.
Al Scott, the market’s manager, estimated that about 1,500 people visited on opening day. Scott said it’s too early in the year for farmers from Michigan and other northern climates to bring produce after an extended cold snap in early spring.
Scott said The Flower Garden from has been with the market for all 38 years.
“He’s got a lot of regular customers,” Scott said. “And the farmers (with berries) have been here many years and they have regular customers.”
Scott said he tries to add vendors that don’t compete with established businesses. Patrons are looking for new produce for their kitchens.
As the summer progresses attendance will swell to 2,000, said Scott, with peaches and apples drawing customers in the late summer and early fall.
Tom Venezio of Garlic Underground is a second year vendor. He was nearly sold out by day’s end on May 31. He said he planted 20,000 bulbs with seven natural varieties at his Huntley farm this season.
“Our sweet garlic is high in sugar content and is a very good roasting garlic because it caramelizes,” he said. “And we have a hot garlic, which is very spicy and good for sauce and meat dishes. Those two varieties sell very well.”
Dean Froehlich has been growing strawberries, cherries and other produce on his farm in Michigan since he was in high school.
Froehlich only brought strawberries to the Libertyville market for opening day and other Michigan and Wisconsin growers didn’t have enough produce to attend.
“Seven weeks ago we had snow on the ground,” Froehlich said. “It’s going to be a slow start this season.”
