More than a dozen area farmers’ markets are open in the Rock River Valley. From Belvidere to Beloit, eggs, beef, fruit, nuts, vegetables, perennials and annuals, to name a few, are being sold to thousands of marketers throughout the area.

Some markets are open three to four days a week, providing daily opportunities for area shoppers to take advantage of fresh goods.

Following is a list of area farmers’ markets, their locations and their offerings:

• Beloit Farmers’ Market—State Street and East Grand Avenue, Beloit, Wis. Open through October, Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. More than 60 vendors selling produce, organics, baked goods, fish, meat, eggs and more. Info: Kathleen Bratz, (608) 365-0150, www.downtownbeloit.com ^[1].

• Belvidere Farmers’ Market and Crafts—Dodge Lanes parking lot, 1940 N. State St., Belvidere. Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, through October, featuring locally-grown meat, vegatables, fruits and crafts. Info: Cindee Robinson, (815) 519-4341, cnjobinson0217@msn.com ^[2].

• Byron Sunshine Park Farmers’ Market—Sunshine Park, corner of Peru Street and Illinois Route 2, Bryon. Open Saturdays, 8 to 11:30 a.m., through Oct. 4. Market features produce, flowers, preserves and pastries. Info: (815) 234-5540 or (815) 234-2932.

• Colonial Village Mall Farmers’ Market—Colonial Village Mall parking lot near old Colonial Village Cinema, corner of North Alpine and Newburg roads. Open Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through October. Locally-grown fruit, vegetables and plants. Info: Tammy Buteyn, (815) 398-3350.

• Edgebrook Farmers’ Market—1639 N. Alpine Road. Open first Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and fourth Wednesdays in October. Features fruits, vegetables, baked goods, nuts and plants. Free-range meat available. Info: Sheryl Brennan, (815) 871-1557, www.edgebrookshops.com ^[3].

• Midtown Market—Market starts at 200 block of Seventh Street. Open through Oct. 16, Fridays 3 to 8 p.m. Locally-farmed fruits, vegetables, dairy and meats. Cooking demonstrations and a CSA drop-off site also offered. Info: J. Bryan Latham, (815) 961-1269, www.themidtowndistrict.org ^[4].

• North End Commons Farmers’ Market—1400 N. Main St., behind La Di Da Gifts and Antiques. Open through October, Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon. Vendors sell produce, eggs, vegetables, plants and baked goods. Info: Jeaninne, (815) 962-1234, or Renie, (815) 978-3071, www.northendcommons.com ^[5].

• Perryville Farmers’ Market—Perryville Commons Shopping Center, 6801 Spring Creek Road. Open through September, Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors sell produce, baked goods, plants, herbs and specialties. Info: Ben Bernsten or Rebekah Anderson, (815) 229-3000, benb@firstrockford.com ^[6].

• River District Farmers’ Market—YMCA South Parking Lot , 200 Y Blvd. and Trinity Learning Center, 210 N. First St. Open Tuesdays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at YMCA and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Trinity Learning Center. Market features locally-grown plants, produce, baked goods. Honey available on Saturdays. Info: Kim Wheeler, (815) 964-6221, kim@riverdistrict.com ^[7], www.riverdistrict.com ^[8].

• Rochelle Farmers’ Market—Behind Flagg Township Museum, 518 Fourth Ave., Rochelle. Open Thursdays 2 to 6 p.m. through September. Market features vegetables, herbs, baked goods and plants. Info: (815) 562-4986.

• Roscoe Main Street Square Farmers’ Market—Main Street Square Shopping Center, Highway 251 and Williams Drive, Roscoe. Thursdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Locally-grown fruits, vegetables, plants and baked goods. Info: (815) 623-9065.

• Winnebago Farmers’ Market—Winnebago Village Park, Main and Benton streets, Winnebago. Fridays, 4 to 7 p.m. Locally-grown fruits and vegetables, honey, flowers, plants and baked goods. Info: Sue Casson, (815) 335-2861, casson@aeronic.net ^[9].

More information about northern Illinois farmers’ markets, including a local foods directory, can be found at the University of Illinois Extension’s Web site, www.extension.uicu.edu/winnebago ^[10].

from the July 29-August 4, 2009, issue