PEORIA --  From a news release:

Spinach, red Russian kale, arugula, lettuce mix, beets and more will be for sale at the next Atrium Farmers Market 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday April 18, Methodist Atrium Building, 900 Main St., Peoria. 

The beautiful over-wintered carrots and tender spinach pictured below were sold at the last market by Ginger and Tony Malek, Grandma & Grandpa's Farm. They also had eggs for sale.  Their Sparland farm bills itself as "growing local, healthy, sustainably raised food."   They could add "delicious, vibrant and nutrient-rich" to that description!

Just one Atrium Farmers Market remains this spring: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. May 2. After that, farmers get ready for the opening of Peoria RiverFront Market downtown. RiverFront market is 8 a.m to noon Saturdays from June through September.

This summer is the second year the Wholesome Food Fund will enable Golda Ewalt and her dietetic interns to double the value of food stamps (SNAP dollars) spent at the market. Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis issued a proclamation in January recognizing the work of the Wholesome Food Fund. Stop by the table this summer and learn more about the Wholesome Food Fund. The goal of the fund is to encourage people on federal food assistance to switch from purchasing processed foods and foods transported thousands of miles away to sustainably grown local food.

Every small shift toward local food is good for the local economy and good for community health.

Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the fund at:  Community Foundation of Central Illinois,  Wholesome Food Fund, 331 Fulton St., Suite 310, Peoria, IL 61602. And stop by RiverFront Market this summer to watch a child's face when he tastes a blueberry for the first time!

(Photo by David Zalaznik)