Farmers Market Expanding Horizons in Iowa City

In an effort to bring the variety of benefits of green-living and fresh veggies to the open air of downtown Iowa City, the Farmers Market will spread out on the streets one Saturday each month this year. This from the City of Iowa City:

Now in its 37th year, the Iowa City Farmers Market looks forward to an exciting change in 2009. One Saturday each month, beginning May 30, the Iowa City Farmers Market will move to downtown Iowa City. The Downtown Farmers Market will be located on Iowa Ave. between Clinton and Linn Streets and along Dubuque St. between Jefferson and Washington Streets. All the regular vendors will be there as well as some additional vendors from our waiting list. The special Saturday events such as Market Music and Art in the Park will continue, as well as cooking demonstrations by local chefs, Irving Weber Days on May 30 and Kids Day on September 12. This new venue for Farmers Market will provide a fun, festive environment for both its regular and new customers. It joins other successful downtown outdoor markets such as in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Madison, Wisconsin, which draw throngs of happy customers each market day.

The Downtown Market Days will be May 30, June 13, July 11, August 8, September 12, and October 17. Downtown Market customers will receive two hours of free (validated) parking at any of the cashiered downtown parking ramps.

The other Saturday and Wednesday markets will remain in the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp across from City Hall between May 2 and October 31. Wednesday markets will run 5:30-7:30 p.m. and all Saturday Markets (Downtown and Chauncey Swan) will run from 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon. This is a new closing time for our Saturday markets (previously closing at 11:30 a.m.).

The vendors are all lined up and making plans for a successful 2009 Farmers Market. Make plans to join us for both the Chauncey Swan and Downtown Farmers Markets!

The Farmers Market is organized by the Iowa City Parks & Recreation Department.