(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Local Food Policy Council (CCLFPC) sees farmers markets as playing an important role in
both increasing consumption of nutritious foods and supporting local farms and food businesses. In addition to promoting the farmers markets on the CCLFP Facebook page (@CassCountyLocalFood), and through posters and news releases, this year, the Council is adding new incentive programs with the goal of drawing even more people to Cass County’s farmers markets.

Produce in the Park – New drawings for $350 in produce, weekly farm-fresh eggs, and more Farmers market shoppers will want to mark June 2 on their calendars. The CCLFPC has purchased a 20 weeks of weekly produce box from Bridgewater Farm—a $350 value—to be given away to an attendee of Produce in the Park’s opening market on June 2. Market attendees who are 18 or older can sign up for the drawing at the June 2 farmers market. The winner will receive a weekly box of eight to 12 items of fresh produce grown at Bridgewater Farm for approximately 20 weeks (the length of the Produce in the Park season). Produce in the Park will be held weekly on Thursday evenings from 4:30-6:30 PM from
June 2 to October 15 in the Atlantic City Park (10 W. 7th St. Atlantic, IA 50022).

The CCLFPC is also providing funding for Produce in the Park to offer a free weekly drawing for a dozen farm-fresh eggs from Brun Ko Farm at every farmers market of the season. Market attendees ages 18+ will be eligible to enter the drawing every week of the Produce in the Park season. The CCLFPC purchased the produce boxes and eggs at the request of Produce in the Park to encourage people to visit the market and to draw attention to the range of produce and products—such as farmfresh eggs—available at the market. 

This year, the CCLFPC is also providing funding for Produce in the Park to cover the cost of technology needed to accept SNAP/EBT (also known as food stamps). When a farmers market is certified to accept SNAP/EBT, all SNAP-qualified food products sold at the market can be purchased with a SNAP/EBT card—regardless of vendor. Produce in the Park began accepting SNAP/EBT in 2021.

Lewis Market – Free Produce Drawings, Taste Tests, and Guest Chef Samples
The CCLFPC will be providing funding to the Lewis Farmers Market for free produce giveaways, free taste tests of fresh produce, and free samples of recipes made with fresh produce. The funding makes it possible for the market to compensate vendors for their products while providing customers with the chance to try new fruits and vegetables and recipes.

All Markets – Farmers Market Coupons
For several years, the CCLFPC has sponsored “farmers market produce coupons.” These are redeemable only on produce from vendors at Cass County’s farmers markets. This year, all four farmers markets in Cass County will be accepting these coupons. Partner organizations will assist in distributing the coupons to lower-income people in Cass County.

Cass County Farmers Markets Summer 2022

Anita Farmers Market:
Location: Bandshell Park on Main Street in Anita
Time/Dates: Tuesdays 4:30-6:30 PM, June – August
Highlights: Fresh, locally grown vegetables, honey, farm-fresh eggs, Lion’s club nuts, fresh baked
goodies, popcorn, jellies, sauces, salsa, hand-crafted items, and metal yard art.
$: Some vendors accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Senior vouchers and WIC checks.
Some vendors accept SNAP/EBT (also known as “food stamps”).
Contact: (402)677-2460

Atlantic Farmers Market:
Location: Farm Bureau (1501 East 7th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022)
Time/Dates: Saturdays 9:00 AM- Noon, May 21 – End of August
Highlights: Fresh produce, honey, pollen, popcorn, farm-fresh eggs, jellies, dressings, BBQ sauces, salsa,
baked goods, soaps, lotions & more.
$: Some vendors accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Senior vouchers and WIC checks.
Some vendors accept SNAP/EBT (also known as “food stamps”).
Contact: (402)677-2460

Lewis Farmers Market:
Location: 3HO (201 1st St., Lewis, IA 51544)
Time/Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00-6:30 PM, May 31– October 13
Highlights: Fresh produce, baked treats, crafts, and pallet wood creations.
$: Some vendors accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Senior vouchers and WIC checks.
Contact: (712)789)-9455

Produce in the Park:
Location: Atlantic City Park (10 W 7th St., Atlantic, IA 50022)
Time/Dates: Thursdays 4:30-6:30, June 2– October 13
Website: www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com
Highlights: Fresh, local produce, baked goods, farm-fresh eggs, honey, local meat, soaps, candles,
additional crafts and art, and weekly food truck. Live music, Guest Chef, free Samples, and activities for
young and old.
$: Some vendors accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Senior vouchers and WIC checks. All
qualifying food vendors at Produce in the Park accept SNAP/EBT (“food stamps”). All produce vendors at
the market both accept and distribute Double Up Food Bucks ($1 coupons for fresh produce provided
for every dollar spent on fresh produce with SNAP/EBT up to $10 per transaction).
Contact: (712) 249-5870

More About Cass County Local Food Policy Council
For more information on local food, farmers markets, and food access, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council’s Facebook page @CassCountyLocalFood. To learn more about the Council, contact Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh at bhoegh@iastate.edu or (712) 249-5870. The next Council meeting is July 12 at 2:00 PM at the Cass
County ISU Extension Office (805 W. 10th St. Atlantic, IA 50022). Meetings are open to the public.

(Radio Iowa) – Students at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City are working to restore a large western Iowa prairie to its original ecosystem. Students cut down black locust trees from the Sioux City Prairie. Professor David Hoferer says the trees can cause prairie grass to die and subsequently force out species that nest in the land. Hoferer says the project is a part of a growing movement to “re-wild” Iowa.

“It takes all of us working together to want to do something better for the future,” Hoferer says. “And if we all come together and work better for the future, then this little effort here will help to keep the Sioux City prairie thriving.” The 150-acre property, located next to the university, is one of the nation’s largest urban prairies. Student Zach Allen, a junior at Briar Cliff, led a group of 20 students to cut down the black locust trees, which aren’t native to Iowa. Allen says he wants to see more efforts across the state to preserve natural habitats.

Allen says, “Instead of just looking at the current benefits they can get, year over year, to start looking into the further into the future and make sure that the ecosystems in our environment is going to be sustainable for those future generations.” He says he was inspired to action by what he learned in the classroom. Prairie used to cover around 80 percent of Iowa. Now, it’s down to less than one percent.

(Kendall Crawford, Iowa Public Radio)