It’s finally happening. The summer market is kicking off downtown!
The Old Capitol Farmers Market will kick off its 22nd season on May 12 and May 15. The producer-only farmers market has been managed by Downtown Springfield Inc since 1999 and made possible with the support of our premier sponsor HSHS St. John’s Hospital. The market will run May 12 – October 30 on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8:00-12:30 at 4th and Adams in downtown Springfield.
The Old Capitol Farmers Market will still be following the COVID-19 policies that the Illinois Farmers Market Association and the Illinois Department of Public Health have developed. Including requiring face masks to shop at the market if you have not been vaccinated.
In 2020 the market worked hard at keeping its vendors and visitors safe during the coronavirus. It is important to continue to ensure the safety of the vendors and visitors. We have been working with the Sangamon County Health Department and the City of Springfield to make adjustments for the 22nd season of the farmers market.
The layout for in-person shopping will be getting a slight face-lift this year. Vendors will still be set-up in the middle of Adams street from 5th Street to the railroad tracks. Last season the market did limit the amount of vendors attending the market. To allow for more vendors, this season, there will be vendors on 4th street. Go here to see if your favorite vendor will be at the market. Vendors do adjust the weeks they attend the market. Make sure to check the map throughout the season.
We are excited to bring back some beloved tradition such as allowing dogs again! We will no longer be missing your doggos at the market. Dog owners are asked to mind our dog policy.
Also returning are Saturday Chef Demonstrations. Chef Michael Higgins with Maldaner’s restaurant will kick off the season on May 15 at 9:00 am.
Free Family Fitness returns every 1st and 3rd Saturday at 10 am. Come sweat a little before you shop with WERQ, the WILDLY addictive cardio dance fitness format that jams to charting pop and hip hop music.
Same with last year, there will be no ribbon cutting ceremony on the first Saturday with free cake passed out from Incredibly Delicious. Hand washing stations will be provided at two locations in the Market and both shoppers and vendors are required to wear masks.
Shoppers coming to the Market are reminded to:
- Follow State and CDC guidelines to wear masks, and practice good cough and hand hygiene to keep the farmers and other shoppers safe.
- NOT touch any products before buying. Vendors will bag the purchases you ask for/point to while they wear gloves.
- Pay each vendor with a credit or debit card if possible. Vendors will accept cash. There will be no cash tokens available at this Market.
- Only SNAP customers will be able to redeem their LINK card for tokens at the Market Booth.
- Stay at least six feet away from other shoppers and vendors.
- NOT linger at the Market during or after shopping, congregate in any social manner nor consume any food products while there.
Payment:
Cash will be accepted this year. Most vendors will also be accepting Debit/Credit Cards. The market no longer passes out tokens for credit/debit cards.
SNAP recipients can use their EBT card at the market. SNAP customers redeem their benefits by swiping their EBT card at the market tent to be loaded onto our market’s Healthy Ways card, which can be used to buy eligible food products from participating vendors. We also will be offering Double Value Coupons – meaning if you spend $10 of your SNAP benefits, you’ll receive an additional $10 in Double Value Coupons to spend on fruits and vegetables only, enables you to buy $20 worth of edible products. Double Value Coupons are made possible through our granter Experimental Station and their program Link Up Illinois.
Online:
Online orders will still be offered for the 2021 season. More information regarding the online order system will be shared at a later date.
We are so excited to see you this season!