Produce (Organic)*
Blue Moon FarmJon Cherniss
2148 County Road 1700E; Urbana, IL 61802
(217) 643-2031
Located North of Leverett Road north of Urbana, Blue Moon produces one of the widest varieties of certified organic produce and herbs in East Central Illinois. Blue Moon's selection ranges from heirloom tomatoes to exotic Asian vegetables. The farm's salad mix makes Cherniss' stand a perennial favorite at the Urbana Farmers' Market. The farm's produce also is available occasionally through Fruited Plain (watch for email notices), as well as some area natural foods stores. Additionally, Blue Moon produce is featured by several area restaurants, including bacaro Italian restaurant, Radio Maria, Café Kopi, Great Impasta, Kennedy's, Milo's, Café Paradiso, and Timpone's. You'll also find it featured in meals catered by Classic Events and Ben Lubchansky.
Clay Bank Farms
Greg Runyon
2699 N. IL Route 130
Olney, IL
(618) 863-2606
In addition to serving a Community Supported Agriculture program in the Olney area, Greg Runyon's Clay Bank Farms is a regular participant in the Urbana Farmers' Market. Except for asaparagus, Runyon grows all his produce organically, from broccoli to baby zucchini and zucchini blossoms. The place to go for pickling cucumbers and celery.
First Fruits
Burt & Nancy Asbill and family
101 N. Lombard; Mahomet, IL 61853 (restaurant/store address)
(217) 586-1333
First Fruits offers pesticide-free produce from its stand at the Urbana Farmers' Market, as well as at the farm's restaurant/store in Mahomet just a few blocks south of the interstate. The store is open year round from 10 am to 6 pm on Tuesday through Friday; 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday. Don't feel like cooking? Let the Asbill's cook their produce for you for lunch starting at 11 am. Or try it on the menu of bacaro restaurant in Champaign.
Linder Farm
Karen & Mark Linder
R.R. 2, Onarga, IL 60955
(217) 394-2418
In addition to grains and dried black beans, the Linders grow a variety of organic vegetables, especially greens and root crops.
Moore Family Farm
Jim & Diann Moore and family
2013 N. County Road 1950E; Watseka, IL 60970
(815) 432-6238
The Moore family grows a wide variety of produce and herbs, including heirloom potatoes, baby carrots, blueberries, squash, pumpkins, and a wide variety of greens. Look for their stand at the Urbana Farmers' Market. The Moores also grow for Prairieland Community Supported Agriculture. If you are interested in obtaining a share, see www.prairielandcsa.org. You'll also find Moore produce on the menu of bacaro Italian restaurant.
Tomahnous Farm
Lisa Haynes
480 County Road 2500N; Mahomet, IL 61853
(217) 586-5632
Tomahnous produces a variety of certified organic apples, berries, peaches, and vegetables, including one of the widest varieties of garlic around. You can purchase Tomahnous produce through the farm's csa and at the Urbana Farmers' Market. Or, pick it up from her farmstand (call before you visit). To get to the farm, take I-74 to Rt 47 north. Go right on County Road 2500N approximately 1.3 miles. The farm will be on your left.
*Note: These farms do not use pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, but are not officially certified organic unless otherwise noted.
