There’s nothing like the taste of a farm fresh egg, and we’re lucky enough here in Champaign-Urbana to have many ways to get them. If you haven’t had a farm fresh egg, then have you really ever eaten an egg? The yolks are richer and brighter, the taste is immensely superior, and best of all – they are fresher (days old versus who-knows-how-old at the typical grocery store).
With the recent increase in keeping backyard chickens, there is more opportunity than ever to get eggs that have been raised nearby, within days of being produced.
If you don’t know where to start your hunt for farm fresh eggs in or around Champaign-Urbana, don’t fret–chambanamoms.com and its readers have done the work for you. We haven’t tasted eggs from ALL of these places, so understand mentions are NOT endorsements. We would love to grow this list, so please send us additions.
Please be aware that eggs are more seasonal than we would like to believe. Fresh eggs are harder to come by in the winter.
MARKETS/RETAIL
Farmers’ Markets: Of course many vendors at area farmers’ markets sell eggs. Lucky for us, we have markets almost every day of the week. At Urbana’s Market at the Square, vendors with fresh eggs include Moore Family Farms and Triple S. Our advice: if you want eggs, go early.
University of Illinois Meat Sales Room: This popular foodie hangout sells locally raised meats as well as eggs. Days and hours of service are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-5:30 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. White, brown and specialty eggs are available in large flats of 30 eggs each. These are “nest-run” eggs.
Common Ground Food Co-Op, Urbana: Open Daily. Common Ground sources local eggs from as close as Mansfield, and always has several options available.
Market Wagon: This online retailer sources foods directly from farmers all over the Midwest, and delivers it to your door. In addition to chicken eggs, duck eggs and quail eggs are available (via a specialty farm in Normal). Read all about this unique business in our profile of Market Wagon here.
Prairie Fruits Farm: No, goats don’t lay eggs. Last time we checked. But you can often find farm fresh eggs at the Prairie Fruits Farm store, which is generally open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays now through the end of December. Eggs are typically from others in the area, such as Joyful Wren Farm (see below).
INDIVIDUAL FARMS
Joy of Illinois Farm: Offers eggs by the dozen; check the website for information about availability. Also sells an egg “share”, a CSA program which operates like a subscription; runs from March through November. Joy of Illinois Farm is located in rural Champaign.
Sonrise Farms: Located in Penfield in Vermilion County, Sonrise Farms sells eggs in addition to many other farm fresh products. Regular store hours on Saturdays; Monday-Friday afternoons the store is open by appointment.
Joyful Wren Farm: Located in rural Champaign at Duncan and Monticello Roads, its farm stand is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to “duskish” — but check the website for confirmation and updates.
Two Acre Farm, Mahomet: This small hobby farm occasionally offers eggs for sale, typically via its Facebook page.
Stierwalt Family Farms, Sadorus: This family raises true free-range chickens to provide high-quality eggs. Check its Facebook page for availability, deals and events.
Delight Flower Farm: Located in rural Champaign, their seasonally operating farmstand sometimes offers fresh eggs in addition to flowers and occasional produce. Check their Facebook page for updates/details.
Do you know of other farms or locations where you can buy farm fresh eggs in the Champaign-Urbana area? Email editor@chambanamoms.com.
