When you shop at the grocery store, you’re not always buying the freshest food, whether it’s produce or other ingredients. But when you get vegetables, fruits, and other products at a local farmers market, you’re more likely to get fresh-picked ingredients since they come from growers and farmers in the area. What’s more, you’re also supporting local businesses and growers who sell their produce, baked goods, artisanal products, and crafts at these markets. Lastly, these pop-up shopping centers are great for finding unique goods.

Here are six amazing local farmers markets in and around South Barrington, Illinois.

Goebbert’s Farm & Garden Center

Image via Flickr by skolr Licensed CC BY 2.0

Located right here in South Barrington is Goebbert’s, a local farm and shop open in spring, summer, and fall. During the summer and early fall, you can come here to shop the fresh seasonal produce grown on this farm and by other local producers, homemade baked goods, hand-picked food products, and more at their Summer Market. The market is open in late June through Halloween from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.

You’ll be able to stock up on produce like sweet corn, tomatoes, green beans, peaches, apples, and squash. At the bakery, you can get large and small pies with favorite fillings like apples, peaches, blueberries, cherries, pumpkin, and pecan. Don’t forget to get their famous apple cider donuts. Head to the Country Store for jams and jellies, honey, salsas, popcorn, pickles, dressings, sauces, and the Goebbert’s Farm Cookbook.

Elk Grove Farmers Market

Over in nearby Elk Grove Village is the weekly/bi-monthly Elk Grove Farmers Market. At this market, you’ll find dozens of vendors selling fresh seasonal fruits and veggies, homemade spice blends and sauces, fresh-baked bread, prepared foods, fresh cuts of locally raised meat and poultry, plenty of pasta options, and other must-have ingredients. This market also hosts local businesses that sell clothing, crafts, jewelry, art, and more.

The Summer Market is open every Saturday in June through mid-October from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 901 Wellington Ave, and the Winter Market is open every other Saturday in November through May from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 1045 S. Arlington Heights Road.

Portage Park Farmers Market

Over in Chicago at Portage Park is the bi-monthly Portage Park Farmers Market. There are more than a dozen regular vendors selling homemade cheese, freshly made bread and baked goods, herb planters and spice blends, and, of course, fresh fruits and veggies from local growers. This market is also great for grabbing brunch while you shop since they have multiple vendors that serve freshly prepared foods like crepes, pasta, and tamales. You can also purchase homemade candles and soaps or have your kitchen knives sharpened.

This farmers market is open every other Sunday in June through early October from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can find the official market open dates on the Friends of Portage Park website.

Jefferson Park Sunday Market

Jefferson Park Sunday Market is open every second and fourth Sunday in June through October and on one Sunday every other month during the off-season from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This farmers market has over a dozen regular vendors and a few occasional vendors selling products like fruits and veggies, prepared foods, jams and jellies, cooking oils, baked goods, homemade pasta, locally sourced honey, dressings and sauces, and many more ingredients. You can also purchase books, crafts, jewelry, a variety of natural bath products, and Chicago swag. You can shop while listening to local musicians playing live, too.

If you’re focused on getting produce, you can expect the options to change with the seasons. For example, during the winter markets, you’ll find asparagus, mushrooms, onions, and potatoes. During the spring, beets, broccoli, carrots, greens, and peppers show up. In the summer, you can get fresh corn, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, green beans, eggplants, apples, blackberries, and peaches. Fall is best for pumpkins, rutabagas, squash, sweet potatoes, zucchini, watermelon, and cantaloupe.

MainStreet Libertyville Farmers Market

The MainStreet Libertyville Farmers Market has been around for more than 40 years and is a pretty big farmers market in the area. There are dozens of regular vendors selling an enormous range of food options, including fresh produce, prepared foods, flowers, cheese, baked goods, honey, and meat. Hit up Famous Frankie’s for some homemade hot dogs and sausages, stock up on beans and blends at the Libertyville Coffee Company stall, get some sourdough starters at Perfect Brewing Supply, and purchase fresh dog treats with a visit to Tailwaggers by Wendy, Inc. 

You can find the full list of vendors and even order products for pickup on the market’s website. This local farmers market is open every Thursday from early June through late October from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Logan Square Farmers Market

The Logan Square Farmers Market is one of a few to operate all year round in Chicago thanks to an outdoor market during the warmer months and an indoor market when the chill and snow arrive. With nearly 30 regular vendors, you can shop here for fresh produce, meats, and eggs from local farms and ranches; prepared foods like pasta, soups, and bagels; freshly roasted and brewed coffee; home-baked pet treats; and locally sourced honey. You’ll also find cooking and seasoning oils, sauces, dressings, herbs, and much more.

The outdoor market happens every Sunday in early May through late October from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Logan Boulevard between Milwaukee Avenue and Whipple Street. The indoor market takes place from November through March, though it can vary, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2537 N. Pulaski Road. Both markets have live music and local performers providing family-friendly entertainment to make your local shopping experience that much better.

So there you have it, six awesome local farmers markets near South Barrington. Did we miss your family’s favorite farmers markets around the South Barrington area? If so, contact Crème de la Crème of Hoffman Estates in South Barrington , and we’ll be sure to add it to our list!