Diversity takes Farmers Market beyond the crops
It has been nearly 30 years since Buffalo Grove unveiled its Farmers Market. Like the village, the market has changed.
While fresh produce from farmers around the tri-state area are still the core of the crops, the array of more than 45 vendors that participate during the season has provided more than fresh produce.
Unlike other area markets, the Buffalo Grove market offers almost exclusively food items. While some vendors offer items for pets, and others offer services, there are no siding salespeople, insurance agents or company representatives hawking products.
The market has reflected the change in Buffalo Grove’s population with a variety of diverse vendors.
Census data from 2025 bears out the change. While the village is 58.2 percent white, the Asian population is 29 percent of the population, while Hispanic or Latino residents make up 5.8 percent and Black or African American 3.4 percent.
According to the Pew Research Center, “The U.S. Census Bureau defines an Asian person as having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, or Central Asia. This includes national origin groups such as China, India, Japan, Korea, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Vietnam, and Central Asian countries like Afghanistan.”
The village is adamant about diversifying its workforce, noting on its website that “Buffalo Grove has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. Our Affirmative Action Recruiting Plan, in place since 1986 and updated every three years, aims to hire minorities and women to ensure an equitable workforce distribution.”
It’s something that is a passion with Village Board President Eric Smith. “Buffalo Grove’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths. Our residents bring a rich range of cultures, experiences and perspectives that make our community more welcoming, vibrant and resilient. By celebrating what makes each of us unique while working together toward shared goals, we continue building a Village where everyone can feel at home.”
While residents may see the greater diversity in restaurants and grocery stores, a trip to the Farmers Market offers residents a taste of the village’s changing cultural scene.
On any given Sunday, residents can find Hispanic, Indian, French, and even Liberian foods.
While Hispanic, French and Indian flavors may be more common, a taste of Liberia is found at one of the newer vendors, Nuts to Go, which touts its offerings as “the fresh, rich taste of hand-roasted nuts, rooted in our founder Garcon Morweh’s Liberian heritage, where nuts like almonds and cashews are a beloved snack.” (Pictured at left)
In addition to food vendors, a non-profit organization and “business of the week” are part of the weekly event.
The Market was started in 1998 and was held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Fridays in the parking lot by the old Public Works building. The season ran seven weeks. The move to Sundays at Mike Rylko Park started in 2009.
The Market is in Rylko Park, 951 McHenry Rd. It is open from 8 to 12:30 p.m. every Sunday, except during Buffalo Grove Days, until Oct. 11.
Prevention, protection, safety, focus of Fire Department programs
When it comes to thinking about a fire department, many people may think of fighting fires and providing emergency rescue and medical services.
But in Buffalo Grove, that’s just part of what the Fire Department does. Despite the work and rigorous lifestyle firefighters and paramedics endure, there are some folks who don’t look past the obvious. For example, one village official questioned the need for Fire Station 27 at 100 W. Half Day Road because, as he told the Buffalo Grove Report “All the firemen (sic) do is sit around and wait for a call.”
Pundits will tell you that’s hardly the case. In addition to a variety of classes, such as monthly CPR classes, the Buffalo Grove Fire Department offers several programs to safeguard the safety of residents.
While the village recently touted a program that offers free smoke alarms to residents, it’s a program that has been offered by the Fire Department for several years. Following the guidelines of the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, the initiative is spearheaded by Public Educator/Fire Inspector Peter Gripper. The program does more than just give residents smoke detectors. Under Gripper’s guidance, the department surveys a resident’s home and makes recommendations for and, if the resident desires, installs complimentary smoke detectors. The initiative has been highly successful and is scheduled to be cited by the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office in the near future.
Residents who want fire safety tips, can request a copy of the Fire Department’s Home Fire Safety Checklist. It can also be found here.
A Knox Box fits securely on a front door
In addition to handling the smoke alarm program, Gripper also administers the Knox Box program administered by the Fire Department. A Knox Box is a lock box that contains a resident’s house key. The box can only be opened by the Fire Department in the event of an emergency. Knox Boxes are generally in homes which, notes Knox Box, “Homes with seniors or residents with mobility challenges, individuals with medical conditions, properties requiring frequent emergency access, and homeowners seeking greater emergency preparedness and peace of mind.”
Responding units have a key to a resident’s Knox Box and can quickly gain access to a dwelling without causing major damage. Because of the proprietary nature of each fire department’s participation, when a resident orders a box, it is sent directly to the Fire Department which then notifies the resident of its arrival and schedules installation. Buffalo Grove uses the Knox “Home Box” which installs on the top of a door without being permanently installed.
While the Fire Department administers the program at no charge, residents must purchase a box from Knox Box.
Details about both programs are available by emailing Gripper at firesafety@vbg.org.
Long Grove approves day care center
The Long Grove Village Board approved a plan Aug. for a day center despite concerns voiced by nearby residents and some Board members.
The Children’s Lighthouse is planned for 0 Fremont Way at the intersection of Hicks Road (Illinois Rt. 53) and Fremont Way.
In addition to concerns about traffic through The Crossings subdivision, at issue is a plan that calls for the entrance and exit to be on Fremont Way, which is a Buffalo Grove street. Long Grove officials have maintained that an entrance and exit on Hicks Road have been ruled out by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
At the July 7 meeting of Long Grove’s Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, Long Grove Village Manager Chris Sparkman said IDOT has mandated that the entrance be on Fremont, something Buffalo Grove officials say is not the case.
In a letter dated July 7, Buffalo Grove officials indicated that “To date, despite relying on access to the Village right of way, no application to the Village has been filed as required by Title 12 of the Municipal Code. Accordingly, the Village cannot issue access permit(s) for the proposed development.”
According to reporting in The Daily Herald, the question now is how will Buffalo Grove respond. The Herald cites comments by Buffalo Grove Village President Eric Smith who told the Herald ““Long Grove can approve everything they want. It doesn’t matter…They need access to it. They need to get that from us.”
The approval of the plan followed a special use permit for the site, which is zoned for Office and Research facilities.
In Other Community News
Thefts keep cops busy in July
Thefts continue to be the incidents that kept Buffalo Grove police busy during July. According to the Department’s monthly incident map, officers responded to 142 calls from July 1 to July 1.
In addition to the 11 thefts, officers also investigated:
** One report of arson.
** Two reports of battery.
** One report of burglary to a business.
** Three reports of criminal damage to property.
** One report of criminal trespass.
** Three reports of disorderly conduct – all by phone or electronic device.
** Nine reports of driving violations that were not moving violations.
** Five DUIs.
** Two reports of fraud listed as online theft by deception
** One weapons violation for an aggravated discharge of a firearm
To no surprise, items listed as “Local Code”, which are generally noncriminal occurrences, led the list with 100 contacts with the department. These calls include assisting other village departments, well-being checks, customer / manager complaints, employee / manager issues, suspicious vehicles, people, lost/found, intoxicated people, landlord / tenant disputes and stray animals.
Recent police reports
** Five vehicles in the 100 block of Steeple were broken into. Police report that all contained bags left inside in plain view.
** A resident in the 400 block of Towne Place reported that their vehicle was driven out of the driveway and parked down the street. A credit and debit card were taken.
** A resident in the 600 block of east Deerfield Parkway reported that their vehicle was entered and a bag containing a wallet and two watches both valued at $1,000 were taken.
** There were two reports of an unknown person throwing trash in a business dumpster without permission.
** A bicycle was taken from an apartment building’s bike room.
** An Apple iPad was stolen from inside the vehicle in the 1100 block of Windbrooke.
** Four tires that were for sale on a resident’s property in the 800 block of Trace Drive were stolen.
Remodeled fire station about finished
The rebuilding of Fire Station 25, 505 W. Dundee is about finished. According to reporting in the Daily Herald, the new facility will be unveiled Sept. 16 with an open house Sept. 19.
Cops plan Labor Day traffic crackdown
The Buffalo Grove Police Department will be among more than 200 Illinois law enforcement agencies in “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Drive High Get a DUI” and “Click It or Ticket” campaigns this Labor Day. From Aug. 15 through Sept. 2, officers will be focused on stopping impaired driving, enforcing seat belt laws and reducing other dangerous driving behaviors.
This local effort is part of a statewide campaign supported by the Illinois Department of Transportation, which administers the programs with federal highway safety funds.
Community services, health fair Aug. 23
The Buffalo Grove Community Foundation will host a Community Services and Wellness Fair on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Mike Rylko Community Park, adjacent to the Buffalo Grove Farmers Market at 951 McHenry Rd.
The event will feature information about and participation by local services, nonprofit organizations, health and wellness providers, schools, service clubs and community groups.
Resource tables, information booths, health screenings, children’s activities, safety demonstrations, games and giveaways will be available.
Vitalant will host a blood drive. Donors may make appointments by calling Vitalant at (877) 258- 4825 or visiting donors.vitalant.org with code ORD0BG98. Walk-ins are welcome.
Swim school plans “grand reopening”
Big Blue Swim School, 101 N. McHenry Rd. Buffalo Grove is hosting a “Grand Reopening Celebration” from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 12 to 4 p.m.
Free for enrolled families, prospective members and the local community, the celebration will feature a DJ, face painting, balloon artists, snacks and beverages, along with tours of the newly renovated facility and opportunities to meet the local team and learn more about Big Blue's curriculum.
Families can learn more about Big Blue Swim School or schedule a free trial lesson at this link.
You May Be Interested In…
** Park catalog available – The Buffalo Grove Park District’s fall program guide is now available here.
** BG Days ‘Megaband’ available – Want to save money on carnival rides at BG Days, Sept. 3 – 7? Cost-saving Megabands are available here.
** BG Days activities listed -- There’s more to BG Days than the carnival. A schedule of activities, including a new “Paint and Sip” can be found here.
** Buddy Baseball Game Sept. 5 – The annual Buddy Baseball Game, sponsored by the Rick Kahen Commission for Residents with Disabilities, is from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5 as part of Buffalo Grove Days. Details are here.
** If you’re keeping track – The BGPD issued 124 citations as part of a focused traffic safety campaign throughout the month of July reminding motorists to slow down to save lives.
During this enforcement period, the BGPD made one traffic arrest and issued 124 tickets including: 105 speeding citations, four seat belt citations and 15 other citations
** New registration schedule at ITPLD— If you’re planning to attend a program at the Indian Trails Public Library District, it has a new registration schedule. Details are here.
Need a Reason to Celebrate?
Aug. 14
Aug. 15
National Lemon Meringue Pie Day
Aug. 16
National Independent Worker Day
Aug. 17
Aug. 18
Aug. 19
Aug. 20
National Chocolate Pecan Pie Day
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· If you didn’t know -- The Buffalo Grove Report (Buffalo Grove News and Info), is locally and independently produced by Buffalo Grove resident Stan Zoller. A longtime journalist and journalism educator, Zoller covers Buffalo Grove and monitors news and information about the village, its schools, park district and community events. The Buffalo Grove Report is not affiliated with any municipal body. Zoller is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Chicago Headline Club.
