Chicago Farmers Markets Continue to Thrive Due to the Support of COUNTRY Financial – A bountiful relationship between COUNTRY Financial and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (CDCASE) will continue bearing fruit for the next three years at the Chicago Farmers Markets.
“I am pleased to announce the renewal of a great partnership with COUNTRY Financial, presenting sponsor of the Chicago Farmers Markets program,” said Mayor Daley. “A farmers market is perhaps one of the most important community events in the city and due to COUNTRY Financial’s continued support we can offer fresh healthy foods to Chicagoans as well as free programming and Chicago Public School scholarship awards. We could not ask for a better partner.”
The two groups inked an extension through 2013 for COUNTRY to serve as a presenting sponsor of more than 19 Chicago neighborhood markets.
“Our sponsorship of the Chicago Farmers Markets has proven a perfect fit. We’ve introduced two successful events that draw attention to the freshest, homegrown food grown on the planet by market vendors,” said Mike Fisher, COUNTRY vice president of workforce development and community relations. “We’ve awarded more than $5,000 to Chicago Public High School students through our reusable canvas bag design contest. Our Chef Challenge has stirred creativity among market shoppers looking for new ways to transform fresh produce into tasty, home-cooked meals.”
In conjunction with CDCASE, COUNTRY will name three reusable bag design winners May 12 at Daley Plaza during a kickoff of the market season. COUNTRY Financial representatives will hand out the design-winning canvas bags and host booths at more than a dozen neighborhood markets.
The fifth Chef Challenge in August will pit three notable chefs against each other and the clock to create edible masterpieces from market fare. Get all the details about upcoming COUNTRY-sponsored Chicago Farmers Markets events at http://www.countryfarmersmarkets.com/.
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Chicago’s Farmers Markets (chicagodossier.us)
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