The Clarendon Hills farmers market is set to return for its eighth season on May 16 and run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Thursday through Oct. 16 at Village Hall Plaza, 1 N. Prospect Avenue. Nine weekly vendors are committed.
Starting in 2017, the Clarendon Hills Chamber of Commerce-sponsored farmers market spent its first four years in the Sloan Triangle at Prospect and Park Avenues. It moved in 2021 to Village Hall Plaza.
“The farmers market brings something special to downtown Clarendon Hills,” said Shannon McDonald, the Chamber’s event manager. “We strive to offer the opportunity for residents to procure their fresh food staples for the week in a community-focused and social environment.”
Returning vendors include LaVanway Farms out of Berrien Center, Michigan, which has been an anchor at the Clarendon Hills market since the first year.
The nine weekly vendors setting up this year, selling various goods, is a significant increase from the original two vendors in the first year of the market.
LaLaVanway Farms has fruits, vegetables, and plants among its offerings, with the selection increasing into summer.
Also returning to Clarendon Hills is Hahn’s Bakery out of Geneva, which has become well-known in the village for its doughnuts, but has several other bakery items for sale. The Hahn Family has operated its bakery business for more than 25 years.
Spartan Gourmet Foods is another returning vendor and will feature olive oil and olives from Greece.
Scheduled to be set up for a fourth consecutive year are: Azteca Catering, with guacamole and frozen Mexican food on the menu, and Hufendick Farm Market of Plainfield, which features organic chicken and eggs. Back for a second consecutive year is Maly’s Foods, with its vegetable egg rolls.
Joining the farmer market for 2024 are The Cheese Lady, which has several locations in Michigan and has been in business since 2004; Lincoln Land Kettle Corn, and Boa Acai, a food truck with Brazilian-style food.
McDonald said she is excited to welcome Shaver and Cutie Juice to this year’s farmers market. Both are part of a young entrepreneurs program.
Along with vendors, the farmers market also is offering: Join the Movement at the Market, free workouts at 7:15 a.m. on the third Thursday of each month at Burlington Plaza, courtesy of Barre3 and Just Life Fitness; and the Clarendon Hills Public Library’s Children’s Storytime at 11:30 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month outside the library, 7 N. Prospect Avenue.
Village Manager Zach Creer called the farmers market an amenity for the community.
“It drives foot traffic downtown on Thursday mornings and adds to the overall atmosphere of the downtown,” he said. “Surprisingly to us, the most positive feedback we have gotten is from our growing downtown business workforce who love to be able to stop over during their lunch breaks.”
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
