Summer/Fall Farmers’ Market

Well, the Kankakee Farmers’ Market summer/fall season has concluded. We commented multiple times this week how quickly the past six months have passed and how wonderful of an experience it has been!

To celebrate a half year of great memories, here were some of our favorite moments from the 2021 market:

1. Meeting our community. One of the best ways to build community is over food. Of course, it was nice that people seemed to like our products, but it was even more fun to get to know our “regulars” as they returned each week to buy their favorite Philo treat.

2. Being outside. Other than a few very hot days and our final day (which was cold & rainy), we had fantastic weather this summer & fall. Our summer schedule was really busy, so it was definitely a blessing to have dedicated time outdoors each weekend.

3. Connecting with other vendors. In addition to buying weekly coffee and brunch from some of our favorites (most often Connect Roasters, The Neighborhood Kitchen, Bamboo Island Snack Shack and/or Martinez’s Tacos) it was so cool to create relationships through friendly conversations with vendors at our end of the market (Heidelberr Farms, Fancy Frog Jams, Slow Resonance Farm, Dr. Becker’s Bites, Llama Bean Coffee Co. and Gracie Pie Apothecary). We also loved seeing our friends from The Flower Cart, C-Mac Smoothies and Lilla Made on a regular basis! If you don’t already, consider following all of these vendors on social media! They all offer great products.

4. Educating people on the difference between macaron & macaroons. If you’re still confused, check out this blog post.

5. Dog watching. SO MANY ADORABLE DOGS. Neither of us is a dog person per se, but we can appreciate a beautiful pup any day. Also notable: some cats being pushed in strollers.

6. Listening to great music. We loved our location at the “top” of the market by the gazebo. We had the best spot to enjoy the weekly rotation of talented local musicians.  

7. Watching our business grow and evolve. We had no idea what to expect when we packed up for our first market on May 1. We were full of anxious and excited energy and hopeful that we would sell a at least a few “European-inspired” baked goods. As the summer went on, we tried out new flavors and products, adjusted our set-up, added some merchandise and became more strategic in how we marketed our booth. By the end of the market on October 30, we felt grounded and confident in both what we offered and how we ran our business.

This experience was incredible and we are already looking forward to the 2022 market! But before then, we have lots of fun plans for Philo throughout the winter. Be sure to follow us on Facebook & Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything we are doing!