We are hiring!

Check out the Jobs page to apply for our Market Assistant and Community Advocate positions as well as Internships!

2025 Market Schedule Coming Soon

We're closed for the season! In the meantime, be sure to check out the Food Works Winter Farmers Market in Carbondale at the University Mall Theatre Entrance on Saturdays from 9am-12pm December-March.

Sign up for our newsletter below so you can get alerts when our Mobile Market season is up and running in May 2025!

About

The Food Works Mobile Farmers Market connects communities across Southern Illinois with locally grown, seasonal food. Our traveling market brings food from over 25 farmers and producers in our area to customers in new locations where fresh foods might not be plentiful.

When the mobile market vehicle arrives at each location, the side of the vehicle opens up to create an inviting display area where customers can walk up and shop. This specially designed 16-foot box truck is equipped with a refrigeration system so we can offer patrons a well-rounded selection of locally grown, farmed, baked and produced items, promoting equitable access and individual choice to food.

SNAP / Link Match

Did you know that you can DOUBLE the amount of your EBT benefits with our Link Match program? Thanks to the Illinois’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), for every $1 you spend at the mobile market with your Link Card, you'll get $1 in Link Match coupons to be used on fresh fruits and veggies. That means you can get up to an additional $25/swipe in FREE produce, with unlimited swipes, on every transaction!

Know Your Farmer

The Food Works Mobile Farmers Market sells seasonal produce, grass-fed meat, dairy, eggs, and small-batch goods on behalf of over 25 farms in southern Illinois. Everything we offer is hyper-local and sourced from within 100 miles of our home base in Carbondale, IL.

Meet the Mobile Market Team

Ellen ~ Market Manager

Hi! I'm Ellen and I was born and raised in southern Illinois, the 5th generation of my family's farm, Lipe Orchards.

I want everyone to know that we are working to make local, fresh produce as affordable and accessible as possible. I'm excited about our take-home meal kits complete with recipes (think hello fresh, but the southern Illinois version!).

If I were a vegetable, I would be asparagus! I grew up helping my Grandma cut asparagus from her garden and have always treasured its short season.

Sam ~ Assistant Manager

Howdy! I'm Sam and I hail from the east coast. I got my first taste of farm life in 2017 while WWOOFing on a cacao farm in Hawaii. It was one of those life-changing experiences, altering the course of my career trajectory.

I want folks to know that everything we offer on the truck is sourced super locally from an amazing and passionate group of farmers and producers. Most of the fruits and veggies have been hand-picked within a day or two of market, so you can't get fresher than that!

My spirit veggie is a radish! Cute, colorful, and a bit spicy :)

Connect with us!

Are you interested in hosting the truck for a pop-up event or sponsoring it for a food giveaway? Click the request button below.

Hosting/Sponsoring Request

Market News

Sign up to receive the Food Works Mobile Farmers Market newsletter! Get email or text alerts about our weekly schedule!

Mobile Market Opt-In

Sign up to receive our newsletter and text message blasts about the Food Works Mobile Farmers Market!