Barrington Farmers Market Has Successful Kickoff

Vendors and shoppers at the Barrington Farmers Market couldn’t have asked for better weather to kick off the 11th season on June 16.

Shoppers lined the market, held in the parking lot at Lake Cook Road and South Cook Street, just after the 2 p.m. opening.

Rick Hucker comes to the market every year, and enjoys the variety of the vendors.

“I enjoy getting produce … there is usually bakery goods for sale,” he said. “The kids enjoy it. It kind of makes you think of summertime, getting out and enjoying the weather.”

Vendors were pleased with the traffic they’ve had the first day of the market. Cedar Creek Crossing comes all the way from Dakota, Ill., to sell farm-fresh organic produce at the Barrington Farmers Market. Owner Donna Lubbers said she’s been a vendor for the past five years.

“They have a very nice market with lots of activities going on. People are very friendly,” Lubbers said.

M. Belle’s Pie and Bake Shop had plenty of business early in the afternoon, with shoppers flocking to the fruit pie stand. M. Belle’s is a division of Frank’s Karma Café in Wauconda.

“People have been great, really happy to be out and about. It’s nice to see,” said Bob Wills of M. Belle’s Pie and Bake Shop.

M. Belle’s sells homemade full-sized and mini fruit pies. The mini pies are a new addition that owner Andrew Mansour said should attract more business.

“I think we’ll do really well this year. We did really well at the end of last year,” he said.

Acacia Organics is a vendor at the market for the first time this year. The downtown store is selling products from Sol Food, which are all handmade and natural soaps, lotions and other bath and body products.

Although Acacia’s sales were off to a slow start, its employees at the booth hope traffic will pick up. Regardless, they were having a good time.

“It looks like a lot of fun!” said owner Laura Mueller.

The Barrington Farmers Market takes place from 2 to 7 p.m. each Thursday through Oct. 20. Vendors include:

Acacia Organics: Featuring Sol Foods Natural Soaps

Carousel Acres: Cut flowers, herbs, potted plants, perennials

Cedar Creek Crossing: Organic fruits and vegetables, eggs

The Cheese People: Mostly local, handcrafted cheeses

Diamond Seafood: Fresh fish

Elmhurst Farm: Annuals, Shrubs, Small Trees, Cut Flowers, Fruits & Vegetables

Fraternite Notre Dame: French Pastries, Breads & Tarts

Knoll Farm and Apple Orchard: Summer Vegetables, Melons, Berries, Apples

M. Belle's Pies: Various handmade fruit pies

Wayne Miller Farm: Michigan Fruit, Jams and Honey

Olives 4 You: Olives, tapenade, hummus

The Olive Tap: Specialty olive oil and vinegars

Primo Pizza: Fresh brick oven pizzas made to order

Randy's Lemonade: Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade

S & D Honey: Honey, Honey Products, Candies, Jelly, and Knives Sharpened

Smokin' T's BBQ: BBQ pork, chicken and ribs, sides, drinks and desserts

Staff of Life: Kettle Corn, Cookies, Organic Eggs, Chicken, Beef and Pork

Sweet Whimsy Bakery: Desserts, croissants, artisan breads

Twin Garden Farms: Mirai sweet corn, summer vegetables

Rotating Vendors:

Garden Sparkle: Repurposed glassware into flowers, bird baths, and sculptures

Golden Bear Monarchs Elk Farm: Elk meat, snack sticks and jerky, pheasant, grass fed beef, elk velvet antler

Gramp's Gourmet Foods Inc.: Sweet and dill pickles, pickled beets, hot mustard and more

Pasta by Sue: Homemade Pastas, Sauces, and Soups

Whimsical Acres: Yarns, fleece, felted artwork, sugar scrubs, herbal sachets, concrete steppers, cut flowers, greens, goat milk soap