Brookfield’s award-winning farmers market is back for another year — and it needs your help with its ambitious goal of being voted the best farmers market in the entire Midwest. Last year the local market won the title of best in Illinois.
In an email June 10, Brookfield Farmers Market Manager Gina Sharenow made the announcement to the Brookfield community, asking residents to vote for the farmers market and spread the word.
The announcement comes the week after the start of the 16th annual America’s Farmer Market Celebration, a contest held by American Farmland Trust. Every year, people across the country can vote for their local farmers market to be named the best in the state, region or country. This year, voting started June 1 and will run through July 31.
American Farmland Trust gives out a combined $15,000 in awards for the competition. The five best farmers markets in the country win cash prizes ranging from $250 for the fifth-place market up to $5,000 for the best market. Each market that wins its state receives $100, and each regional winner gets a gift bag of merchandise.
Brookfield’s farmers market has placed as high as fourth nationwide in previous years of the contest.
“Every vote counts, and with your enthusiasm, we can shine a spotlight on the heart of our town: the Farmers Market,” Sharenow wrote in her announcement. “It’s more than just a market; it’s a testament to our local pride and the quality of our produce.”
