May 30, 2024 – The Good Samaritan Inn will hold their first Mercy Market of the season this Saturday in downtown Decatur at Preston Jackson Park.
Mercy Market, which runs from 8am to noon, is a farmer’s market that takes place every Saturday starting Saturday, June 1 through October. Good Samaritan says the event is not a fundraiser, but rather an investment in local growers and fresh, local, nutrient-dense foods, and a vibrant community.
Good Samaritan outgoing Executive Director, Nicky Besser, said the goal of Mercy Market is to increase access to produce for all. “We wanted to grow a base for selling produce we grew, but also increase access by bringing LINK access to the market scene,” Besser said. “This is a very typical thing – all the large markets do it including local ones like Bloomington and Urbana all the way up to larger ones in Chicago.”
The event will include vendors fromES Meats, Mercy Gardens, Do Good Donuts, 5/4 Photography, Oh Beez Sweet Shop, Be Delicious Sweets, Kathy’s Kitchen McGrath Farms, New Hope Animal Outreach and more. There will also be entertainment such as bounce houses for the kids, the BSA Scouts STEM van, and live music from 10am to noon by Corn and Cotton. The event is also taking place a block away from the Farmers Market in Central Park.
“Mercy Market is about building community – we are not only supporting local growers and artisans, but creating a vibrant atmosphere worth visiting week after week,”said Besser. “You can get locally cultivated foods like produce, honey, and chicken that are high quality and nutrient-dense, oftentimes for cheaper than the store – all while enjoying live music, fun activities, and friends.”
