2026-2027 Market Kicks Off Nov. 7, Vendor Applications Open
A new venue means bigger things for the Macomb Farmers Market (MFM) Winter Market.
Beginning Saturday, Nov. 7, the Macomb Farmers Market Winter Market will be held twice a month, through March 27, at its new home, the Macomb Elks Club on Deere Road.
According to MFM Director Aly Sturgis, because of the continued growth of the winter market and more vendors expressing interest, the MFM Board began looking at new spaces, and the Macomb Elks answered their call. Vendor applications are open, with an early bird rate, through Oct. 25 (see below for more information).
'We appreciated the hospitality provided to us since 2022 by the Macomb American Legion, but we have outgrown the space,' Sturgis explained. 'Now we'll have a larger place, which means more vendors, additional dates and no parking issues.
When the Legion lot was unavailable due to services at the nearby funeral home, our vendors and customers would sometimes have trouble finding spots.'
In addition, the Macomb Elks Club bar has agreed to open so shoppers can enjoy a bloody Mary or mimosa as they peruse the more the 25-35 vendors at the Saturday winter market.
The fourth annual Winter Market will be held from 8a.m.-noon on Saturdays, Nov. 7, Nov. 21, Dec. 5, Dec. 19, Jan. 9, Jan. 23, Feb. 13, Feb. 27, March 13 and March 27. Like the summer market, the winter events will feature mainstays, such as locally-grown produce, plants and flowers and baked goods, along with locally-raised pasture- raised meat and eggs, honey, homemade popcorn, crafts, personal care products, handcrafted goods, knife-sharpening on site, children's activities, readyto- eat food and entertainment.
“We are excited to have Farmers Market at the Macomb Elks this winter season, which supports our Elks commitment to the community,' said Elks Exalted Ruler Cory Cox.
In addition, the Macomb market is unique as it accepts SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and participates in the LinkMatch Program. SNAP customers can swipe their card for $20 and receive $20 in MFM tokens to be spent on wares that are SNAP-eligible. They can also receive an additional $20 in LinkMatch currency, which can be spent on fruits, vegetables, mushrooms and edible plants.
Vendors interested in registering for the Winter Market can apply at tinyurl. com/MWFMApplication26- 27. An early bird special rate is available through Oct. 25. Applications will be reviewed and notified by Oct. 31.
Additional spaces may be available after this date. The complete guidelines for the Macomb Farmers Market can be found at prairiehillsrcd.org/ macomb-farmers-market. html.
To date, 2026-2027 Winter Market vendors include Aly's Bakehouse Kitchen (aka/dba 1050 Bakehouse), Annemarie's Enchanting Crafts, Spring Water Produce, Wild Parsnip Farm, Althoff Beef, Milky’s Cookies, Life is Sweet, This and That Designs, Bert’s Baubles and Beads, Paint the Sky Blue, Little Creek Alpacas, Ceilidh’s Cannabis Conjurations and 4Boyz Designs.
The Macomb Farmers Market, which is a member of the Illinois Farmers Market Association and the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, is the oldest continuous operating market in downstate Sturgis took over the market's management in Spring 2024, and under her direction, the summer and winter markets have grown to include more than 80 vendors, with up to 38 currently being present at any given time, and the market now has 501(c)3 status under Prairie Hills Resource Conservation and Development, Inc.
During the summer season, numerous summer markets are hosted in Chandler Park on Thursdays and Saturdays. For more information and for vendor applications, contact Sturgis at themacombfarmersmarket@ gmail.com, and follow the MFM at facebook.com/ MacombFarmersMarket.
