Shop Local, Eat Local
Farmers markets are some of the best and most accessible places to find local goods. There are four large weekly farmers markets in Springfield that are open to the public as well as a few in surrounding towns.
Springfield
Greater Springfield Farmers Market
- Battlefield Mall parking lot at the northwest corner of Battlefield Road and Glenstone Avenue
- Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
- www.springfieldfarmersmarket.com
Eastland Farmers Market
- 1835 E. St. Louis St.
- Wednesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., beginning May 1
Downtown Springfield's Friday Night Farmers Market
- Every Friday from 4:30 to 8 p.m., beginning May 7
- Located on Park Central East, just off the Square
Commercial Street Farmers Market
- Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning May 8.
- 321 E. Commercial St.
Battlefield
Wilson's Creek Farmers Market
- Every Friday from 4:30 to 6 p.m., beginning May 7
- First Baptist Church of Battlefield (Greene County FF and Weaver Road)
Republic
Farmers Market
- Every Thursday evening from 5 to 8:30 p.m, beginning May 28.
- Main Street, downtown Republic
Local restaurants are hopping on the locavore bandwagon as well. Farmers Gastropub in downtown Springfield features an entire menu composed of foods from local farmers -- community, state and surrounding areas.
The Well Fed Neighbor Alliance have established themselves as a local organization to educate the community about the importance of consuming local, sustainable goods and services. It's also an excellent resource of articles and classes for the beginning gardener.
Your local branch of the Springfield-Greene County Library District also has loads of books to help you get started. Here are just a few:
Find this article at http://thelibrary.org/blogs/article.cfm?aid=879&lid=52