The Food Works Mobile Farmers Market is excited to announce opening day on Thursday, June 6th!

This “farmers market on wheels” will begin operations with four consistent market locations and hours every week from June through October. Every Thursday, look for the Mobile Farmers Market truck at the Carterville Farm Fresh from 3:00-5:00 pm and then at the Marion Carnegie Library from 5:30-7:30 pm, (June through October). The following week Food Works will launch the additional two markets occurring every Friday: Herrin House of Hope from 10:00 am-12:00 pm and the Boyton Street Community Center from 1:00-3:00 pm.

The Food Works Mobile Farmers Market has the mission to bring local, fresh, and sustainably grown food to all of southern Illinois. This specially designed 16-foot box truck is equipped with a refrigeration system to safely transport and store food at proper temperatures, as well as a hand washing sink, storage for dried goods, and lighting. When the vehicle arrives at each market location, the side of the vehicle opens up to create a display area where customers can walk up and shop. As a local food producer-only market, everything for sale is grown, cooked, baked, or made by local regional farmers. Offerings will include a wide range of sustainably grown vegetables, fruits, grass-fed meats, yogurt, eggs, ice cream, infused olive oils, fresh breads and baked goods, herbs, fresh mushrooms, syrups, local honey, hot sauces, and a variety of other goods. The Mobile Market team is working closely with the farmer’s cooperative, LEAF (Little Egypt Alliance of Farmers) and other regional producers to source food for the truck. Market patrons are welcome to order in advance on the LEAF website and pick up their shares at any Mobile Farmers Market Location!

We are also excited to offer a weekly take-home “What’s for Dinner Tonight?” Meal Kit with suggested ingredients and a recipe card every week, as well as occasional live cooking demos that feature produce and products available at our market. This market welcomes SNAP customers with the Link Match double coupon program. Customers who receive SNAP benefits can use their LINK/EBT card to purchase SNAP eligible foods at the market, and the Link Match program matches these purchases dollar-for-dollar with vouchers to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables at the market. The Mobile Farmers Market is a program of Food Works, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization facilitating the development of a regional food economy in Southern Illinois. We believe that a truly enduring approach emphasizes access to good food for everyone, which keeps food dollars circulating in local communities, and balances human needs with the health of the air, water and land resources on which all life depends. Please reach out to Ellen Esling, Food Works Farmers Market Manager if you have any questions: ellen@fwsoil.org. For more information visit: MobileFarmersMarket.us Or Food Works: www.fwsoil.org