Iowa City holds a Farmers Market each year from May to October where local farmers and businesses come together to bring food and fun to the community. I am a sophomore at the University and had never attended the Farmers Market, but I had heard so many good things and was dying to go. In the fall, it is difficult because there are usually football games on Saturdays, and on Wednesdays I will either be in class, doing homework or at work. But through the long winter, I anxiously waited for the Farmers Market to come around again.
May finally hit and I was coming home from breakfast the first Saturday of the Farmers Market season. I live only a few blocks away, so as I was coming back, I drove right past it. I sprinted up to my room and shout to my roommate "Its the Farmers Market today! Let's go!" and minutes later, we were walking down the street on our way.
I didn't really know what to expect, because I had never been to a Farmers Market before. But once I got there, I knew it wouldn't be my last. Children were running around, families were enjoying the nice weather together, and locals were selling their food, crafts and anything else Iowa City-worthy. There were about 10 stands or trucks set up selling hot food like breakfast sandwiches, pizza, burgers and fresh doughnuts. Even though my roommate and I had both already eaten breakfast, we were drooling. Inside the parking garage, where majority of the Farmers Market is located, there are fresh vegetables, pastries, fresh juice, kettle corn, handmade purses and more.
I was honestly overwhelmed. We had to walk around the whole market like four times just to take it all in. We came across some awesome stands. First, we approached a woman with many different salsa and guacamole options. After sampling every single one (of course) we picked out one for later that day. I am not a huge salsa lover, but I have to say that this stuff was addicting—I couldn't get enough of it.
The next stand we went to was a cheese stand. If you know me, you know I am obsessed with cheese—especially sharp cheddar. We stood and looked at all the cheeses, and I ended up buying a three-year-old aged sharp cheddar cheese. This cheese was BY FAR the best cheese I have ever had in my life. My roommate and I were counting down the days until we could go back.
The following Saturday we woke up and went to the Farmers Market for breakfast. I had to walk past every truck and stand like eight times just to finally decide what I wanted because it all sounded so good. I ended up getting freshly squeezed lemonade and a egg-cheddar-bacon biscuit, and I can confidently say that that was a breakfast I will remember. Everything tasted so fresh and delicious. I am drooling right now just thinking about it.
We then went back into the garage and walked around again. I of course had to buy that cheese again because it was all I could think about the whole week. The man that worked the cheese stand remembered us and was so unbelievably friendly. Actually, every single person working there was so friendly and helpful. That is one of my favorite things about Iowa City locals, they are all so inviting and sweet. We walked around and got kettle corn and caramel apples for later, too. Everything was so delicious—I really could go on and on about it forever.
If you are staying in Iowa City this summer, or even returning next fall, I highly recommend you check it out for yourself!
It runs Wednesdays 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon from May through October. The Farmers Market is located at the parking garage on Gilbert and Washington. You can't miss it, you'll see a ton of people.
Support Iowa City farmers!
