The Farmers’ Market at Forest Park hosts the annual Springfield Winter Fare tomorrow, Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Like the city’s regular winter farmers’ market—held the second and fourth Saturdays of each month through April—the Winter Fare will take place in the park’s (fabulously named) Old Monkey House.
A joint effort of the farmers’ market and Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, or CISA, Winter Fare highlights the wide array of local products that are still available, even in the bleakest winter months.
The event will include three free workshops—“Understanding Real Food: What to Eat and Why,” “Waste Not, Want Not!” and “Seasonal Eating at Its Best”—as well as cooking demos. (Click here for times and descriptions.)
From 1 to 2 p.m. shoppers can take part in a Barter Market, where home picklers, bread bakers, tomato canners, jam makers and the like can swap their extras.
And, of course, the farmers’ market will be open for business as usual, “fully stocked with fresh salad greens, root vegetables, bread and baked goods, eggs, meat, cheese, yogurt, honey, and more,” according to organizers. As always, in keeping with the market’s commitment to making fresh, healthy, local food accessible to all shoppers, vendors will accept SNAP cards, with CISA matching the first $10 of all SNAP purchases. Farrmers' Market shoppers don't need to pay an entry fee to get into Forest Park.
Thanks, Justin, for the nice testimonial for the market.
Thank you for writing about this, Maureen. :)
This past summer I was introduced to the Farmer's Market at Forest Park by someone who's become a really good friend. I believe that it makes a great introduction to Springfield for many who don't know the community well, or who may have misperceptions.
The people are welcoming, the food is excellent -- and chances are, you'll leave with both booty (the pirate kind, lol,) and a smile from having enjoyed the day.