Farmers' Markets Save Food Costs

Farmers' markets are a great way to save money, while enjoying locally grown, fresh foods. 

Food prices, especially meat, are on the rise. Nearly 40 percent of every dollar spent on food goes toward labor, according to economist Bill Johnson, a professor at Joliet Junior College. That includes processing and preparation. Another 20 percent is spent on advertising, transportation, packaging and fuel.

Most of these costs can be eliminated by shopping at a farmers market.
To learn more about the breakdown of food costs, .

There are two large farmers' markets in the area. One is in Plainfield, on Route 59 at Lockport Street. It features 40 vendors, including fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread and bacon. to read the full story on Plainfield Patch.

The second is in Morris. Actually, there are two separate markets along Route 47. One is at the VFW on McKinley Street. The second is in the parking lot across the street from the new City Administration Building, 700 N. Division St. 

All of these are open Saturday mornings.

On Fridays, Joliet features a smaller market on Chicago Street across from the Will County Court House. The street is blocked off and parking is available on side streets and in the public lots.

Another large market a little further away is in New Lenox. People who are willing to brave traffic on Interstate 80 will find 14 vendors, including two farmers, meat, cheeses and bakery. to read the full story on New Lenox Patch.

A more local option may be Creekside Natural Farm in Minooka. They are a family-owned farm that grows a large variety of vegetables, according to the farm's blog. They also have brown eggs and pastured hens. Located at 1221 W. Bell Road, they sell produce on the honor system. Strawberries are currently in season.

Or, of course, there are our two local ones in Channahon and Minooka. Channahon's is from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in the Arrowhead Community Center parking lot. Minooka's is from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays in the lower parking lot off Mondamin Street.

Stay tuned to Ag News for more information about Creekside Natural Farm.

Editor's Note: We covered the with a photo story and will be doing the same in Channahon in the coming weeks. Also, stay tuned to Patch for profiles on the vendors and a full story of all the area markets that will run early Monday morning.