Buying local isn't just a trend; it's a commitment to supporting Illinois communities. To build on this commitment, Buy Fresh Buy Local Illinois (BFBL-IL) is proud to announce that it will soon become Illinois Grown. Illinois Grown is a program ...

The 25th annual National Farmers Market Week takes place this August 4-10, 2024. Buy Fresh Buy Local Illinois coalition member, the Illinois Farmers Market Association (ILFMA) leads the charge for Illinois. During National Farmers Market Week, you’ll get to participate ...

When was the last time you sat down at a restaurant and recognized where the ingredients on your plate came from? When you dine at a farm-to-table restaurant, you may recognize the farms and businesses involved in growing and processing ...

June is National Dairy month, and although dairy is worth celebrating every month, we use the month of June to highlight Illinois farms that are working hard to make local (and udderly delicious) dairy products available to consumers. From kefir ...

Nothing says “HELLO SUMMER” like a bouquet of fresh, locally-grown flowers. Flowers provide a glimmer of joy, a pop of color, a boost in your mood, and a delightful smell. The presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, which can be ...

It is well known that farmers of color are under-represented in the United States. But in recent years, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) farmers in Illinois have joined the growing movement of young farmers, and are finding ways ...

When we talk about Artisan Grains, many of you may think about whole grain wheat and flours used to make breads and other baked goods. It’s likely you may have had some experience in bread baking during the COVID-19 pandemic ...

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has surged in popularity since 2020 when the COVID 19 Pandemic started to impact food distribution across the United States. Although not a new concept within the farming industry (early CSA models in the United States ...

Pastured meat is easy to find in the winter months and purchasing in January helps support farmers all year round. In recent years, the farmer’s share of the food dollar has dropped to just 14 cents for every dollar you ...

Think back to your favorite cookie, jam or jelly, or slice of bread. More than likely, your favorite food items were made by someone you knew or were related to in their home kitchen. That’s because the best tasting products ...

Thanksgiving turkey is one of the hardiest traditions for many Americans, so much so that the holiday long ago was dubbed as “Turkey Day.” Its place in American culture is enshrined in Norman Rockwell’s famous painting of the hosts presenting ...

October is National Co-op Month. To celebrate, we share the uplifting story of Rise Community Market in Cairo, located at the southern tip of Illinois. A food co-op is a grocery store that’s owned and managed by people who shop ...