IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR WINTER MARKET SEASON TO BEGIN! [at writing it was above 87 degrees outside]
Join us for the 2021-22 season of the Champaign-Urbana Winter Farmers Market every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. starting November 6 and running through April 30, 2022 at Lincoln Square Mall
Shop from all of your favorite vendors indoors at Lincoln Square Mall. You’ll find artisan cheeses, dairy products, poultry, meat, eggs, bread, baked goods, desserts, pastries, jams & jellies, fruit, vegetables, herbs and herbal products, coffee, flowers, wreaths, clothing, crafts, leather goods, farm products, fine art, blown glass, and prepared food. Pre-ordering from vendors is encouraged whenever possible to decrease any possible risk factors.
While we don’t know the future and we couldn’t tell you what the COVID restrictions necessarily are that the Market falls under, we can tell you that we will continue our great working relationship with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District and the Illinois Farmers Market Association, two groups that have gone above and beyond to help markets and food and farm businesses survive during the pandemic. Please check back with us for any updates on possible changes in the coming weeks as opening day looms.
If you want to stay on top of all that the Champaign-Urbana farmers market and local food scene has to offer make sure to sign up for our newsletter “The CUrrant” and follow Champaign-Urbana Farmers Markets on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for regular updates from the Champaign Farmers Market, as well as other farmers markets in Champaign County, all year long.
Also, visit the Buy Fresh Buy Local Illinois online directory to find local farms, co-ops, restaurants, and much more all year round.
THE CURRANT
When The Land Connection took over operations of the Champaign-Urbana Winter Farmers Market last year (formerly Urbana’s Market IN the Square operated by the Urbana Business Association), we jumped at the chance to start a local food and farmers market focused newsletter to better serve our local community now that TLC basically operated a year-round farmers market. The CUrrant provides weekly updates on market news, in-season offerings, vendor updates, local food resources, Universal LINK Match program materials, recipes, and more. The newsletter content will be almost completely separate from the regular content of The Weekly Harvest, so consider signing up for both if you are interested in both kinds of content. Sign up for the newsletter here and update your interests!!
MARKET PROGRAMS
The Land Connection believes access to fresh, local food is a right for every person in our community and we are committed to making good food accessible and affordable. That is why we dedicate so much time and energy to the Market Benefit and Incentive programs that we’ve built over the years. Now, some of the most radical ideas to come out of our work are slowly becoming more commonplace in the world of food access and government funded programs
Universal LINK Match Incentives
Although it rolled out at the Champaign-Urbana Winter Farmers Market last year, it didn’t roll out until after the holiday season. So, this year we’ll have the Universal LINK Match benefits for the entire market season, that includes the big holiday markets in November and December. The Land Connection, the organization that operates the Champaign Farmers Market and the Champaign-Urbana Winter Farmers Market has partnered with the City of Urbana, which operates Urbana’s Market at the Square, and Common Ground Food Co-op on the Universal LINK Match Incentive Program and so far it has been an amazing success. The Program in Champaign-Urbana provides SNAP shoppers that use LINK benefits at our farmers markets, as well as those that received P-EBT cards as part of their child’s COVID relief, increased food budgets and year-round access to healthy, fresh, local food. In addition to helping our food-insecure community members, the program supports local farmers and food producers and greatly benefits our local economy.
The Universal LINK Match Program allows shoppers to swipe at the Market and use the vouchers to buy products at the market OR Common Ground Food Co-op.
- Double LINK Days – Every week you can double the value of your LINK or P-EBT card for up to $20 (swiped). This means if you swipe for $20, you’ll receive $20 in tokens for all SNAP-eligible items and $20 in vouchers to use on fresh LOCAL fruits and vegetables at either market and Common Ground Food Co-op.
- Triple LINK Days – On the third market of each month, you can TRIPLE the value of your LINK or P-EBT card for up to $20 (swiped). This means if you swipe for $20, you’ll receive $20 in tokens for all SNAP-eligible items and $40 in vouchers to use on fresh LOCAL fruits and vegetables at either market and Common Ground Food Co-op. The Champaign-Urbana Winter Farmers Market will offer their Triple LINK Day on the third Saturday of each month.
Plus, you can use your LINK or P-EBT card at both of the Triple LINK Days to really increase your food budget.
To participate in these programs, bring your LINK card to the Champaign-Urbana Winter Farmers Market and visit The Land Connection table located at the South entrance to Lincoln Square Mall at Broadway (next to the IDEA Store and Stango Cuisine). A representative from TLC will be able to help you with your transaction, as well as answer any questions you may have about using your benefits at the Market.
Learn more about the Champaign-Urbana Universal LINK Match Program
FRIENDS OF THE MARKET CAMPAIGN
Friends of the Market is your chance to support the Champaign Farmers Market directly. If you believe in this work and the importance of providing locally grown and produced foods to everyone in our community, then this is the perfect opportunity for you! Your donation will go directly to help fund the incentive programs and the Market, their promotion, and administration.
To become a Friend of the Market visit our website and make a donation. You can make a one-time donation or setup a a recurring monthly donation. If you setup a recurring monthly donation of $10 or more a month you’ll receive a Champaign Farmers Market T-shirt if you make your initial donation before August 31, 2021! Certain size availability is limited.
VENDORS
