CARTERVILLE, Ill. — John A. Logan College in Carterville and the Champaign County Farm Bureau office will serve as one-stop shops for growers and buyers of local produce with two events designed to connect smaller farmers with bigger purchasers.

The first Meet the Buyers event is set for 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 27 in Champaign and on Wednesday, April 4, in Carterville, and will feature buyers from the entire region, including St. Louis, Mo. and Evansville, Ind.

A second event, focusing on the development of regional food hubs to help create a wider market for locally grown products, runs from 7-9 p.m. at the same locations on the same day.

Both events are free, but registration is required by March 22 and March 30, respectively. Call Champaign at 217-352-5235 or the Williamson County Farm Bureau 618-997-2609 to register; both organizations are principal sponsors of the events.

“We have a great line up of buyers attending, including a health food co-op and health food store, restaurants, food-service distributors, universities, food banks and a grocery chain capable of taking direct store deliveries,” said Cynthia Haskins, manager of business development and compliance for the Illinois Farm Bureau. “The focus of the event is for farmers to meet with buyers and learn how they can do business with one another.”

The Illinois Farm Bureau also is a principal sponsor, along with the University of Illinois, Illinois Specialty Growers Assoc., the office of Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, Connect SI Foundation, Illinois Depart-ment of Commerce and Economic Oppor-tunity, Illinois USDA Rural Development and Jackson-Union County Farm Bureau.

Speakers during the event will include Local Food Systems and Small Farms educator John Pike, from the UofI, who will discuss MarketReady and Good Agriculture Practices (GAP).

“We’ll also address some food safety issues that are important to the food supply chain,” Pike said. “The rest of the day will be spent with short presentations from a variety of commercial buyers for grocery stores, restaurants, and food service companies who are interested in developing relationships with local growers to source more local fruits and vegetables and, potentially, meat.” 

Todd Rusk, associate director of energy and sustainable business programs at the UofI, also will present sessions on packing houses and food hubs. Simon also is expected to address the group.

“The Illinois Specialty Growers Assoc. is pleased to be a part of this initiative,” said Diane Handley, the specialty growers association manager. “The demand for local food continues to grow, and this is a great opportunity for specialty crop growers to expand their market outlets.”