Geneva Farmers market signs on as Giving Gardens drop-off site

A little over three years ago, a group of residents formed the Geneva Green Market, with the intention of promoting locally grown food, touting its nutritional value and environmental benefits.

Now they have extended that mission to reach beyond their patrons who visit the market each week in its picturesque site near the Fox River and Riverwalk Park.

The Geneva Green Market is the newest drop-off site participating in the Daily Herald's Giving Garden campaign, which encourages donations of fresh produce to area food pantries.

To date, it is the only farmers market on the extensive list of drop-off sites throughout Cook, Lake, DuPage, Kane and McHenry counties, but organizers hope the idea catches on.

"We think locally grown food should be available for all people," says Karen Stark, who co-founded the Geneva Green Market with Connie Weaver of the Inglenook Pantry, both of Geneva. "It offers the best nutrition around."

Already, many of the farmers themselves have donated their surplus produce. Rather than trying to sell it at the next market, they offer it to Stark and her volunteers to give to the less fortunate.

"Farmers say that if they don't get rid of it, it will rot, so they're happy to donate it to a good cause," Stark says.

Local gardeners can get in on that good feeling by dropping off their fresh produce from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays at the market, located at 75 N. River Lane in Geneva.

Look for the Geneva Green Market booth, with its coolers ready to accept the fresh crops from area gardeners.

Organizers then plan to drop off the produce at the Salvation Army, Lazarus House and the Northern Illinois Food Bank, all located in St. Charles.

Earlier this month, Stark made her first delivery of fresh lettuce to Lazarus House, which serves, women and children at risk of becoming homeless, connected in the school districts of St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and western rural Kane County.

"It's absolutely wonderful," says Donna Bauer, volunteer coordinator. "Any time we get something as extravagant as fresh produce, it's a real blessing."

Stark says the concept behind the nonprofit Geneva Green Market continues to evolve. They recently opened it up for members to join, and have begun offering classes in food preservation, including those on canning and pickling.

"I come from Minnesota, and that's what we did," says Stark.

Nearly 20 farmers fill the booths each week at the market. To participate, producers must farm within 200 miles of Geneva. Consequently all of the products are native to the area, so you won't find any tropical fruits or chocolate.

Instead, they feature locally grown and minimally processed fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy, all produced on family farms.