Geneva Green Market: Geneva, Illinois – A Local Food Green Farmers Market

Beginning Thursday, June 3, 2010, at 7a.m. the local food open-air farmer’s market organized and promoted by Geneva Green Market-NFP will start its fourth season. Leading the group this season as President, is localvore, community leader, and co-owner of Inglenook Pantry, Connie Weaver. Weaver is one of the original founding members of the Geneva Green Market-NPF. “We bring the “Farmer” to the market,” stated Connie and continued by urging everyone to “come and experience ‘Where the Fresh Is!’” Season plans to be a mix of something new and something familiar.

• Who: Geneva Green Market, NFP – Opening Day
• What: Geneva Green Market – We put the “Farmer” in the Market – a local food, green Farmers Market in Geneva, Illinois, for chefs, foodies and everyday people – local, sustainable, fresh food!
• When: Thursday, June 3, 2010 from 7 a.m. – 1p.m. and continues every Thursday thereafter through October 28th 2010
• Where: 75 N. River Lane Geneva, IL (alongside the mighty Fox River at Route 38 in downtown).
• Cost: Free
• More info: about GGM, NFP’s Season Four, please visit the organization’s website: www.genevagreenmarket.org or email us at: info [at] genevagreenmarket [dot] org.

Weaver informs us that starting this season the GGM-NFP will be displaying the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s logo as a recipient of a grant to promote Illinois Specialty Crops. In addition GGM-NFP will be continuing its pledge to help consumers know which products have been grown here in Illinois. “We are insistent that we have the farmer present at the market,” noted Weaver, “this way if any buys has questions about farming methods, soil preparation, or anything which pertains to the product – the farmer is there to answer.”

Once again people coming to the GGM Open Air market will enjoy food preparation demonstrations by local Fox Valley Chefs and the family focused/early childhood education program “Kid’s Corner”. Leading off the Chef Demos on opening day will be local favorite Matt Lennert of Geneva based The Moveable Feast. Most vendors from season three will be returning and some new vendors will round out the mix of locally created, grown, and produced foods.

This season the family-focused early childhood education program “Kid’s Corner” will be joined by Delnor Hospital’s Community Health and Outreach Department and the Fit4Kane coalition workgroups. Information about volunteering at “Kid’s Corner” is available at the Delnor Calendar page, email shannon [dot] mccall [at] delnor [dot] com or call Shannon McCall at 630-208-3996. Weaver noted that the partnership “will help our youth understand more about local food and nutrition.”

Weaver identified 19 vendors that will be participating in GGM’s Season Four and they are: Hasselman’s Family Farm. Orchard Patisserie, Pushing the Envelope Farm, Pur Prairie, Shaping by Dave, Twin Gardens, Planters Palette, Roedgers Brother Blueberries, Erehwon Farm, Heritage Prairie Farm, Hillside Orchard, Stojan’s Farm, Farm Direct Black Angus Meats, Perennial Pleasures, Curds and Why, Diana Vegetables, Inglenook Pantry, O’Leary’s Farm, and CC Black Angus.

Season Four starts Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 7 a.m. – 1p.m. and continues every Thursday through October 28th at 75 N. River Lane. Come and enjoy “Fresh” For up to date information about Season Four, Chef Demo’s, Kid’s Corner, Vendors, and for links for further information about Specialty Crops, Local Foods, and more please visit GGM’s website: www.genevagreenmarket.org.

For additional information about GGM, NFP’s Season Four, please contact Connie Weaver by email – info [at] genevagreenmarket [dot] org or you may reach by phone at 630.377.0434.

About Geneva Green Market, NPF

Geneva Green Market, NFP is a not-for-profit educational and distributional association that promotes the sale of locally produced specialty crops from family farms and local food producers. Educational activities inform the community, consumers, vendors, and other green markets. Vendors are carefully screened to assure they are providing local produce that is fresh, promotes biodiversity, is of the highest quality organic/sustainable food and is the basis of regional cuisine.

The Daily Herlad notes in the Jun 1, 2010 edition entitled “Green Market resumes”:

New this year are “Kid’s Corner” by Delnor Hospital and presentations by Fit4Kane coalition workgroups… The market features food grown and produced within 200 miles of the market.

The “Fit 4 Kane” coalition will dedicate resources to planning effective policy changes that improve the health of local children. Delnor and other local agencies and organizations will work collectively to create an environment throughout Kane County that fosters fitness and good nutritional habits.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Shannon McCall at 630-208-3996 or email shannon [dot] mccall [at] delnor [dot] com

For more information, please visit the Delnor Calendar page here.

Once again people coming to the GGM Open Air market will enjoy food preparation demonstrations by local Fox Valley Chefs and the family focused/early childhood education program “Kid’s Corner”. Leading off the Chef Demos on opening day will be local favorite Matt Lennert of Geneva based The Moveable Feast. Most vendors from season three will be returning and some new vendors will round out the mix of locally created, grown, and produced foods.

Celebrating what’s working in our communities, the Chicago Green Festival®, a joint project of Global Exchange and Green America, showcases more than 350 diverse local and national green businesses. More than 150 renowned speakers appear for insightful panel discussions and presentations.

• Who: Global Exchange and Green America
• What: Chicago Green Festival
• When: Saturday, May 22 2010, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm and Sunday, May 23 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Where: Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave Chicago IL
• Cost: Free
• Info: greenfestivals.org/chicago/

You’ll also enjoy great how-to workshops, a Fair Trade pavilion, a Green Home pavilion, an Organic Food and Gardening pavilion, a Community Action and Green Careers pavilion, a Sweet Spot Café, a Green Kid’s activities and delicious organic beer, wine and cuisine.

Find out how Midwest neighbors, community nonprofits and city departments are working together to make their cities healthier places to live.

The Geneva Green Market was highlighted in a Beacon News in an article by Janet Zohorsky featuring the Gardenology event this Saturday, May 15, 2010:

The Geneva Green Market and many of its local farmers and suppliers will also have a large presence during the day — from Erehwon Farms (set up at Inglenook Pantry) to Heritage Prairie Market (located at Scentimental Gardens), who grow and sell local produce. Geneva Green Market will have a booth on the Courthouse lawn, to talk about local foods, and will invite children to plant a seed cup. If you want to branch out from only growing tomatoes, try potatoes. Donna Askins from Elgin Community Garden Network will talk about growing your own potatoes — at 1 and 2 p.m. at the Geneva History Center.

… read the full article entitled “How’s it growin’? All things planting Saturday at Gardenology in downtown Geneva“

Enjoy the day long event, Gardenology, in downtown Geneva on Saturday May 15. You’ll find ideas, advice, and dreams for your garden. Sponsored by the merchants of downtown Geneva, gardening experts will be on hand to answer all of your gardening questions. Sponsored by Ball Horticultural Company. Visit the Gardenology group on facebook!

For a complete list of Advisors, Topics, and Growers click here.

• Who: Gardenology
• What: Garden Event
• When: Saturday, 15 May, 2010, 10:00 – 4:00 pm
• Where: Downtown Geneva S. Third St. Geneva 60134
• Cost: Free
• Contact: countrynaturals [at] sbcglobal [dot] net

The Green Earth Fair is an educational event for learning about environmental sustainability and how we can practice sustainability in our homes, yards, and gardens, as well as nutritional health. Come to the organic farm in Naperville for our 7th annual Green Earth Fair. The event is free and open to the public

Who: Green Earth Institute
What: Green Earth Fair 2010
When: Sunday Afternoon May 2, 2010, 12:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Green Earth Institute, 10S404 Knoch Knolls Rd Naperville, IL 60565
Cost: Free
Contact: 630-664-5681 info [at] greenearthinstitute [dot] org

• Experts speaking on a variety of environmental, nutrition, and other current topics.
• 50 organizations and vendors providing information about their activities and products to help you achieve a greener and healthier lifestyle.
• Children’s activities include planting seeds, exploring the rich organic soil to find some critters, scavenger hunt, and making musical instruments. The children’s parade with their musical instruments made from recycled materials will start from the Main Stage at 3:30 p.m.
• Entertainment including local folk and blues musicians
• Tours of the organic farm
• Organic vegetable seedlings and native landscaping plants available for purchase.

A Selection from Speaker Schedule

1:30 p.m.
Nutrition for a Toxic World
Organic Lawn Care
Are You Effectively Green?
Rainwater Harvesting–Small and Large Scale

2:30 p.m.
How Will the Naperville Smart Grid Work?
Using Rain as a Resource
Designing Your Edible Garden
Beekeeping at the Farm

3:30 p.m.
Gardening the Organic Way
Providing Habitat for Wildlife
Converting Biomass to Electricity, Fertilizer, and Vehicle Fuels

Visit www.greenearthinstitute.org for more info or download full program schedule here.

Downtown Batavia turns green for Arbor Day on Friday April 30th from 5-9 p.m. The Batavia Environmental Commission, Batavians for Clean Energy and Conservation and Water Street Studios have teamed up with Batavia MainStreet to host the “Green Walk.” Fifteen downtown businesses are hosting green groups and activities, some also featuring live music. The businesses are all located in a contained, walkable area around the central downtown Batavia corridor. A map of the event is available online at www.downtownbatavia.com.

New this year is a Green Walk Scavenger Hunt that starts at Batavia Creamery (4 N Island Ave). The hunt takes participants to locations around the Green Walk to find the answers. All completed forms are entered in a drawing to win a free rain barrel. Many other locations feature new things to the Green Walk, including information about the Batavia Community Garden and an opportunity to get free seedlings for either a donation of canned goods (to benefit Food Pantry) or a cash donation to support the new Community Garden project. Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry will be on hand with information on ‘Plant a Row for the Hungry”. Geneva Green Market, NFP will be their with information about local food and have a mini market with fresh locally grown greens & herbs. A highlight of the evening is “Project Greenway” at 7:00 p.m., a recycled Plastic Bag Dress Design Competition. The plastic bag dress competition is an event created by the Green Walk committee to bring awareness to the increasing amount of trash generated by plastic bags. Water Street Studios is heading up the competition this year and adding a new pre-made dress category.

The Batavia MainStreet program is one of 55 non-profit, community based Main Street organizations in the state of Illinois. The mission of Batavia MainStreet is to enhance the identity of Batavia’s downtown area as the heart of our community. MainStreet members work through the four points: Design, Economic Restructuring, Organization and Promotion to improve the downtown district. MainStreet volunteers believe the revitalization of Downtown Batavia is essential to our community’s sense of pride, place, and heritage for this and future generations. For more information Batavia MainStreet or to volunteer, please contact the office at (630) 761-3528, email britta [at] downtownbatavia [dot] com or check online at www.downtownbatavia.com.