LEAF Food Hub

LEAF Food Hub operates as the Little Egypt Alliance of Farmers, LLC, a name that points directly to its Southern Illinois roots and regional reach. The market runs from Tunnel Hill while connecting shoppers with local farmers and food producers through an online platform, with options for pickup or delivery across multiple Southern Illinois locations. Its own language centers on being “Rooted in Southern Illinois, Growing Local Connections,” and that focus comes through in both the farmer-and-maker roster and the practical ways customers can order and receive food. For shoppers, LEAF reads less like a single stand-alone stop and more like a structured way to buy from a broad local network.

Why it matters locally

Southern Illinois is the core of LEAF Food Hub’s identity: the organization describes itself as rooted in the region and built around growing local connections. Its customer model is also regional rather than single-site, connecting local farmers and food producers with customers through an online platform and offering multiple pickup locations in Cobden, Carbondale, Carterville, Herrin, and Marion, plus delivery in select areas.

That setup matters because the producer list is deep, with a stated 60 vendors and a lineup that includes farms, dairies, mills, bakers, roasters, and specialty makers under one hub. LEAF is also a member of the Southern Illinois Link Hub, adding another explicit tie to the area’s food infrastructure. The result is a market shaped around regional food access, not just a weekly browse.

What you'll find there

The vendor mix is broad enough to span staple groceries, pantry goods, and specialty foods in one order or market visit, with LEAF citing 60+ vendors during the May-to-October season. Names on the roster point to a strong farm-and-food-maker balance rather than a produce-only lineup, with grains, dairy, mushrooms, breads, coffee, meats, and fiber producers all represented.

• -Find BACKACHERS FARM among the LEAF farmer and maker lineup.
• -Shop FLORA BAY FARM through the LEAF roster.
• -Pick up breads from FLO-DOUGH BREADS.
• -Browse offerings from ALL SEASONS FARM.
• -Add products from ANGIE’S FARM.
• -Look for BISON BLUFF FARMS in the vendor mix.
• -Choose goods from AUTUMN RIDGE FARM.
• -Check in with THE FLOCK FARM.
• -Bring home baked items from HEATHER’S BAKESHOP.
• -See GLACIERS END on the LEAF vendor roster.
• -Pick up meats from THE NUTTY PIG.
• -Start with coffee from COLD BLOODED COFFEE & ROASTERY.
• -Shop produce from PINK TIGER FARM.
• -Add pasture-raised goods from MAIN STREET PASTURES.
• -Browse LOCAL LORE FARM and WELL HOUSE FARMSTEAD for farm products.
• -Find fruits and vegetables from FRUITS, ROOTS, BEANS & GREENS.
• -Order through BACKPORCH CSA FARMSTEAD.
• -Look for mushrooms from VIKING MUSHROOMS.
• -Stock pantry staples from JANIE’S MILL and CAHOKIA RICE.
• -Bring home dairy from MARCOOT JERSEY CREAMERY, ROCKY ROAD DAIRY, and BAETJE FARMS.
• -Seek out fiber-related goods from BURKS FAMILY ALPALCAS.

LEAF also posts recurring Vine Street Market at O’Fallon dates during the season, where farmers and food makers bring produce, meats, dairy, wine, baked goods, and sweet treats to O’Fallon Station in the downtown district.

Know before you go

No dogs are allowed, which is the clearest policy detail likely to change how some shoppers plan a trip. LEAF also works differently from a single-location farmers market: it connects customers with local farmers and food producers through an online platform, then offers pickup or delivery rather than limiting access to one site. Pickup locations are spread across Cobden, Carbondale, Carterville, Herrin, and Marion, and delivery is available in select areas based on ZIP code at checkout.

For in-person orientation, the Tunnel Hill address is 8975 Hwy 45 N, and the seasonal Saturday market window runs in the morning from May through October. Restrooms are listed as unavailable, so plan that part of the stop ahead of time.

Payments & SNAP

SNAP/EBT is accepted at LEAF Food Hub, an important option for shoppers using food assistance benefits. Payment methods are listed clearly, and LEAF provides additional SNAP instructions through its own channels, with a named contact for that process. Combined with pickup and delivery options, that makes the hub usable in more than one shopping format.