Kankakee Farmers Market Addresses Vendor Application Denials

Concerns have been raised by area residents about how the selection process of this years Kankakee Farmers Market is being handled. This comes after vendors who have been at the market in recent years had their applications for this season denied. The Kankakee Farmers Market has released a statement saying after operating for several years with selection handled by a single coordinator, they have returned to a committee based process that includes four people with roots in the market. The statement goes on to say one of the most consistent things they hear from the community throughout the season is that there are too many food and drink vendors and not enough produce and farm products. According to the Market committee, this is why certain food and drink vendors had their applications denied for the 2026 season. The Farmers Market first Saturday of the season will be May 2nd in Downtown Kankakee.