New Church hosts winter market

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Updated: March 3, 2012 8:10AM

Purchasing farm-harvested food is months away, but Glenview can still enjoy farm products in February as Glenview New Church hosts a winter Farmers Market.

The first-time, indoor event is Feb. 18 when Midwestern farmers sell cheese, meat, poultry, syrup, honey, raw fibers, vinegars, dried fruits, milled flours, sauces and salsas.

Glenview New Church is at 74 Park Drive, Glenview.

Vendors within 150 miles from Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana are scheduled to attend the event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Other items will be soap, wool, preserves, cider and fresh produce. Glenview New Church School also is hosting a children’s activity table.

Church member Roxanne Junge manages Glenview Farmers Market for the park district at Wagner Farm from June to October.

“It’s such a letdown when the market ends,” she said.

“But a winter market like this one can give us a chance to find out what’s still available locally when the snow is still on the ground.”

Faith in Place http://faithinplace.org, an interfaith environmental organization in Chicago, is sponsoring the church’s winter market.

Since 1999, Faith in Place has partnered with more than 800 congregations in Illinois — Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Zoroastrian, Baha’i and Unitarian Universalist — helping people of faith understand that caring for the environment is a social justice issue.

“When I mentioned the opportunity to host the Faith in Place market, a core group quickly volunteered,” Junge said, adding LINK cards will be accepted.

“They saw it as a good way for our church to serve the community.”

She also said winter markets not only allowed consumers to buy farm-fresh food, but extended relationships with local farmers beyond their summer market season.

Farmers do not pay a fee to participate, but donate 10 percent of what they sell after a threshold sum to the Illinois Farmer Crisis Fund for farmers struggling with illnesses or unexpected expenses.

In 2010, cooking demonstrations and presentations on sustainable living helped increase attendance at the park district’s Farmers Market.

About 24,000 people came to the Saturday morning market from June to October, versus 20,000 in 2008, according to a park district report.

When the market moved from the downtown Metra Station in 2007 to historical Wagner Farm, attendance was 15,000 the first year.

“We’re seeing more foot traffic and a community experience in meeting the farmers. People are learning where food comes from. Farmers are teachers,” Junge said.

“Consumers want access to fresh food and its health benefits.”

The Glenview Women of Today started the farmers market in 1998 at Jackman Park, then handed it over to Glenview Park District in 2007.