I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to go to stalls and see produce that the seller obviously did not grow and probably ran into Schnucks that morning to buy! Limes, lemons and pineapples will NEVER grow (in any salable quantity) in Illinois and melons certainly aren't available in May and early June like I saw this year. If the seller didn't grow it, it shouldn't be permitted at the market.
Also, can we get some variety and a greater number of sellers? I saw broccoli once at the market this past season and never saw cauliflower. There have got to be small scale famers raising chickens, beef, etc., and those selling eggs. Let's get them to the market. How about cut flowers? Honey? Vegetable seedlings ready for transplant?
It also makes me wonder when vendors at the market have PLU stickers on their produce - the type of sticker that grocery stores require. I want to buy local and support local - farmers who have contracts with large wholesalers perhaps do not need my business so much as the small, family run organic farm.
Please, let's have a bigger and better Peoria Farmer's Market next season!
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I agree with you! I want home grown fruits and veggies, not out of a box like the grocery stores!!
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I'd like to see you put an actual name to your review. That way we know you aren't just bad mouthing a market because you don't like someone. As for the wholesale comment......not everyone has a 100 acre farm left to them from 100 years ago. Fresh fruit provided by them is a he'll of a lot better than the stores. The farm that has been left from generation to generation the last 100 years needs the money a lot less than someone trying to grow more themselves when no one wants to help them out to get a start by working with them to have the land to do so!