Free gift with purchase - market bags!

As a thank you to our customers, we will be giving away a gift with purchase - a market bag to the first 50 customers! These handy bags are small enough to fit in your glove compartment (so you don't forget it at home), yet large enough for those veggies, fruit and or meat you pick up at the market.

Customers spending $3 or more for a qualified purchase* will receive a market bag with the Farmers Market Logo on one side and Carle Foundation Hospital on the reverse. We would like to thank Carle Foundation Hospital for funding this promotion. They are a great partner in promoting healthy eating. Get yours this Thursday before they're gone!


*Qualified purchase is any purchase of any non prepared food item(s) totaling $3 or more, including Link and WIC farmers market coupon purchases. Only one per family, please. See market manager on July 30th, for more details.

Rumors of sweet corn?

Last week, one of our vendors brought a surprise - sweet corn! And even though it wasn't publicized, by the time 5:00 rolled around, he only had six ears left. He told me last week that he might be able to bring more this week, but no word one way or the other. No guarantees, but come on down to North First Street, and perhaps you'll be one of the lucky ones!

CUperstars voices ring through market

Market goers were able to enjoy their shopping experience due to the talented voices of the CUperstars. There about 10 students who came down to the market and showed how much local talent there is. Among other popular and religious songs that were sung, there was a great performance of Michael Jackson's song "You Are Not Alone". If you are interested in more information about the CUperstars, you can call the Champaign-Urbana Area Project at (217) 373-2827.

Patrons & vendors find ways to stay cool

Despite the fact that the weather was feeling a little on the warm side, both patrons and vendors found ways to stay cool. Some vendors found relief from the heat by wearing personal umbrellas. They surely also added something fun to the conversations between the vendors and their patrons.

While listening to the talented voices of the kids of the CUperstars, some younger visitors to the market chose to cool offer via a water mister. Even a few adults indulged themselves in the cooldown that the water mister offered. The mister is being lent to the market for the remainder of the season, courtesy of Illinois American Water.

Good cause - Gift of Life Walk

The Gift of Life Walk is a walk worth having. It's to benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois. The walk and family health fair will take place on Saturday, July 18th at the University of Illinois Arboretum.

Here are the details:

2009 Gift of Life Walk & Family Health Fair CHAMPAIGN URBANA
Saturday, July 18, 2009
8:30am Registration; 9am Walk Start
Univeristy of Illinois Arboretum | Champaign Urbana

Please join the Champaign Chapter of the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois at the Gift of Life Walk! You don't want to miss this fun and FREE event for the whole family! Participants enjoy a leisurely three-mile walk through the beautiful Arboretum on the campus of the University of Illinois followed by refreshments and entertainment. Register and set up your own fundraising webpage at www.firstgiving.com/nkfi. It's easy! Your family members, friends and co-workers can make secure donations online from anywhere in the world.

For more information, please contact Anne Black at 312.321.1500 x224 (800.9.KIDNEY) or via email to ablack@nkfi.org.

Lu Lu & Zu Zu owners on WAND-TV

The owners of Lu Lu & Zu Zu Dog Treats were recently featured on WAND-TV news. Kendall & Sophie, the youngest vendors at the Farmers Market on Historic North First Street, described how they started their business and all the steps they had to take in order to sell their dog treats.

Great interview girls! And thanks for plugging the market! Here's the link to the video: Two young entrepreneurs take on doggie treats

If the link above does not take you directly to the video, follow this link: http://www.wandtv.com/Global/category.asp?C=100690&nav=menu589_6
You will be on the video page. Scroll down about 1/2 way, and look for the video as named above "Two young entrepreneurs..."

Entertain me! And yes, don't forget those veggies!

This week's entertainment will include two separate groups.

From 3 to 4 PM, Moussa Bolokada Conde will be getting the market thumping with his Malinke rhythms. He is a master drummer, visiting lecturer at the U of I and has performed all over the world, and he has graciously agreed to perform at our market.

If you aren't able to come out in the afternoon, you'll still be able to enjoy some great music. Starting at 5:30, the market will be featuring a local band. The musical duo known as 2 Bad Actors, will delight patrons with their acoustic eclectic-electric guitars.

So if you love the entertainment at the market, don't miss this Thursday. And don't forget to pick up your fruit and veggies. Music and munchies. What a great combo!