Oak Park Farmers' Market — Attraction in Oak Park

I would've very much liked to give the market a 5 star rating, unfortunately on after an extremely unpleasant interaction with the Iron Creek Farm vendor I cannot.

On Saturday 10/8/19 at the Oak Park Farmer’s Market, I had a most unpleasant exchange with the vendor/farmer from Iron Creek Farm. She was unprofessional, rude and highly insulting.

I purchased a few items nearing the close of the market.  After circling the market making a few other purchases, I had a case of buyer’s remorse and decided I could not justify paying $12.75 for 8 small potatoes and a medium eggplant. I circled back to the Iron Creek stand inquiring about the pricing per pound of the items, the vendor/farmer curtly told me that I should have asked for the pricing when the items were weighed. After a few exchanges of words in her continuously rude and unprofessional  manner I decided it best she refund the $12.75. While she was counting out the refund in small change, I placed the bag of potatoes I was returning on a table and removed items (including tomatoes) purchased from other vendors. After handing me the money she crudely remarked, “Are those our tomatoes?”  falsely accusing me of having stolen from her. Her tone and expression was highly offensive, insulting, and it felt vindictive. As an African American Woman this is akin to racial profiling. I could outright accuse her of racial profiling just as she insultingly falsely accused me of stealing from her.

I reported the incident to Colleen, Manager of the Oak Park Farmer’s Market, who is aware of rude and discourteous behavior from the Iron Creek farmer.  She repeatedly apologized for the incident also stating this was not the mission of the market.

If the Iron Creek farmer/vendor’s deplorable behavior and poor customer service is common knowledge and disrespectful of the mission, why is this continuously tolerated?The OP Farmer's market should have a spirit of community and respect reflective of its local, small town atmosphere.

There is no reason a customer should not be able to make a simple return or be told professionally and respectfully of the vendor’s sale policy. Every incident cannot be prevented, but when farmers market management is aware of a vendors poor treatment of customers and allows it to continue, they condone disrespect toward community members, undermining their mission and the spirit of a...

The Oak Park farmers market has been going strong for 30 plus years. It has a wide selection of local fruit and vegetables. There are numerous venders every Saturday morning throughout the late Spring and Fall. I notice this year there is a vender specializing in an assortment of seafood choices. link and snap are excepted by most venders. All the venders are friendly and happy to answer questions about their products. Parking nearby is nearly always available. This farmers market is famous for their homemade donuts. The donuts are made by a local church. The church also allows local charitable groups to make donuts some Saturdays. A visit to the Oak Park farmers market is a great way to start...

This is one of the best farmers markets I've been to, anywhere. There is a large variety of foods on offer: fruits & vegetables, meats, eggs, herbs, breads, cheeses, plants, jams, even Bloody Mary mix! It's well-established, family- friendly & has maintained high standards for many years. A varying group of local musicians plays most weeks (no blasting speakers). The weekly donut sale buries all commercial options. Parking is an ongoing issue but the walk of a couple of blocks helps balance out the donuts. The busy corner just west of the market site is managed by crossing guards who pay attention &...