Farmer markets can be traced back to ancient Egypt, thousands of years ago. And in the US, farmer markets actually predate the founding of our country! Of course, in the early days, prior to the proliferation of grocery stores, they served a basic necessity.

Their popularity, like many things, has ebbed and flowed over the decades. With the health craze of the seventies, they experienced a resurgence, and today, we may be experiencing a similar growth pattern. While many grocery stores have added more fresh produce, meats, and cheeses, one thing farmer markets tend to out-deliver them on is locality.

Jump to the McHenry County Farmers Markets Guide

It’s About Location

Farmer markets are heavily reliant on local producers, often within a limited radius of the market itself. Shoppers often look to farmer markets not just for freshness, perhaps organic or more environmentally responsible practices, but also being locally produced and the sense of community that comes from supporting the markets.

While you can find farmer markets in metropolitan areas, McHenry County is positioned beautifully to truly capitalize on its mixed suburban-rural makeup. I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that you are 5 minutes, or less, from the country from anywhere within the county. This means that many of the vendors are often from McHenry County themselves.

It’s About Community

More than just location, but also more than just produce and goods…perhaps farmer markets also fill a nostalgic void. They still serve as a connecting point within the community. It may not always be a “running into your neighbor” kind of thing, but just milling about a farmers market with other locals provides a sense of connection.

Living in Madison, Wisconsin for nearly a decade, I spent more than a few Saturday mornings walking around the Capitol square at the farmers market. I’ll confess that often my only purchase was a coffee or mocha and some scones. It was more than just a shopping excursion, it was an event and entertainment, watching the crowd, and often a tour down State Street and back as well.

Make It Yours

Whether you are shopping for your weekly meal planning, grabbing a coffee and some scones, taking in the local entertainment (actual entertainers or the other patrons), or making the rounds through the market, grabbing breakfast nearby, and hitting the shops…make it yours.

Put it on the calendar. Make it a ritual. Consider it quality family time. Maybe even plan to actually meet your neighbor or some friends there.

Whatever you do, I think you may find a sense of grounding within your community. Hopefully, it can become a relaxing, de-stressor for not just your day but your whole week. And ultimately, it may not only help feed your family but also your soul.

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McHenry County Farmers Markets Guide

Looking for a farmers market near you? Well just look below in our guide for McHenry County farmers markets, broken out by city. We’ll continue to update this guide as we get more information.

If you know of or are connected with a local farmers market in McHenry County that we’ve missed, we’d love your help getting them added to the list. Please hop over to our contact page and send us as much information as you have, even if it is just a link to a website for the market.

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Algonquin Farmer Markets

Downtown Algonquin Farmers Market

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Cary Farmer Markets

Cary Farmers Market

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Crystal Lake Farmer Markets

Downtown Crystal Lake’s Farmers Market

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Open Air Farmers Market+ At The Dole

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Huntley Farmer Markets

Huntley Farmers Market

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Marengo Farmer Markets

Marengo Community Farmers Market

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McHenry Farmer Markets

Pearl Street Market

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Woodstock Farmer Markets

Woodstock Summer Farmers Market

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Note: Please consult the respective informational sources for the most current information as details may have changed since publication or update.

If you are connected with any of these or any other local McHenry County farmers market, we’d be happy to correct, update, or add your information. Please hop over to our contact page and send us your information. We also invite you to add or claim your free Directory listing (if appropriate) or your free Event listing for your market.