Publications & Sites 
Oakbrook Terrace Park District hosts farmers market
Updated: July 29, 2012 4:39PM
Looking to offer more healthy eating options to area residents, Heartland Fresh2U, LLC and the Oakbrook Terrace Park District will host a weekly farmers market this summer.
Every Wednesday from 8 a.m.-noon, Heartland Fresh2U will set up a tent in the Heritage Center parking lot, 1S325 Ardmore Ave., to offer a variety of in-season fruits and vegetables, picked fresh from downstate farms.
Based out of Decatur, Heartland Fresh2U will sell fresh tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers, zucchini, potatoes, cabbage, peaches, green beans and onions. As the season changes, visitors can expect pumpkins, apples and other fall favorites later in the year.
“Southern Illinois has some of the greatest soil in the world,” Heartland Fresh2U Marketing Manager Linda Blakely said. “With the locally grown food, you’ll notice the exceptional taste and freshness all while supporting local farmers and their communities.”
Blakely said produce will be available within 24-48 hours of being picked. She added the downstate farmers use a fish-based fertilizer and no pesticides to grow their products.
“We’re hoping it will be well received in the area,” Blakely said. “We’re also open to listening to what’s going on in the community as far as the produce we bring up.”
Oakbrook Terrace Park District Director Laura Barron said park district commissioners have discussed hosting fresh markets in the past, but it was Heartland Fresh2U who contacted the park district this year. The two sides were eager to begin a partnership.
“They wanted to see if they could set up their farm stand in our parking lot and we were happy to,” Barron said. “It’s vegetables raised the old-fashioned way. You’re really going to taste the difference.”
Fresh flowers will also be available for purchase at the farm stand. Heartland Fresh2U has committed to support the Oakbrook Terrace Park District scholarship program as the two sides look forward to working together.
“We were looking for the perfect place to start small,” Barron said. “A lot of residents can just walk over when they drop off their kids for summer camp and can have fresh produce on the table for dinner. Our employees are excited and we’re ready to go.”
More information on Heartland Fresh2U is available at www.heartlandfresh2u.com.
