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(WSIL) -- Many look forward to visiting farmers markets and checking out new products or buying their favorites. Now some food vendors are pushing to make those available at other places too.

After living in Chicago for 20 years, Derek and Libby Ervin left the big city to move closer to Herrin where Derek grew up.

The couple settled on nearly 40 acres of farm land just outside of Pittsburg that they named and now call home. Over the past four years, they've been raising chickens as well as growing fruits and vegetables.

That includes peppers, elderberries, blackberries, apples, peaches, plumbs and more. Once harvested, the Ervin's make syrups, sauces, old-fashioned drinking vinegars and other products out of their home kitchen.

Currently, food vendors like the Ervin's, who make products in their home kitchen are called "cottage food operators." says they can sell at farmers markets and online farmers markets.

So they do just that.

During the winter, their products are sold at the Carbondale Community Farmers Market and an online farmers market called .

As the weather warms up, they set up at farmers markets across the region.

One issue is that last summer, many vendors had to be turned away from farmers markets as spaces were limited to social distance during COVID-19 regulations.

Now the Ervin's and other food vendors across Illinois, are backing . It would allow them to make their own websites to sell products online and set up at fairs and festivals.

With more options for selling, the bill also requires additional health and safety requirements. 

The legislation is still in the early stages of being heard by lawmakers and you can find more information .