Thanks to Country Of Origin Labeling required under U.S. law, we can count up the fossil fuels consumed when those bell peppers in our grocer’s produce section are shipped from Holland throughout all four seasons.

If you’d like to take advantage of Central Illinois’ agricultural bounty, support local farmers, and get your produce fresh from the farm — take heart, the local farmer’s market season is coming soon!

The Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market begins this Saturday, May 14, and runs through Oct. 29. The market will be open Saturday mornings from 7:30 a.m.-noon on the square in downtown Bloomington (Main & Jefferson).

In Normal, the Trailside Market begins June 7 and will continue until Sept. 13, every Tuesday from 3:30-6 p.m. on East Beaufort Street in Uptown Normal.