The Taste of Market event Wednesday gave community members an opportunity to sample free, local Farmers’ Market produce.
By Naomi Hofferber
The bright, bustling market stood stark against the drab stone of the parking garage; fresh greens and engorged tomatoes sat adjacent to sweet pastries and golden honey as men and women, young and old, crowded the market pathways.
Iowa City’s Taste of the Market event gave locals the opportunity to sample free produce while enjoying the live Market Music series, which allows local musicians an opportunity to perform. The event had been originally scheduled for Sept. 7 but was postponed until Wednesday because of bad weather.
“The purpose of the event is to thank the musicians, for one, but also to thank the community, for being loyal to the market,” said Tammy Neumann, the Iowa City Farmers’ Market coordinator.
The Farmers’ Market is held every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to noon and Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. Live music plays each day.
Neumann said Market Music usually ends in September, but this year has been extended through October, which has allowed for eight additional musicians to play the venue. Musicians will often return for repeat shows, but Neumann said new artists are also featured.
Volunteers from the UI Community Credit Union sliced melon, grilled seasonal vegetables, and helped prepare food for the Taste of Market event. The Credit Union helps sponsor the event, but all the food was donated by the market vendors.
Carrie Wall, a local tomato vendor who has sold at the market for about 25 years, said the event seemed to bring more people to the market than in the last few weeks.
“Buying local and knowing where your produce comes from, I think, is awesome,” Wall said. “I think that helps a lot for the community.”
On a typical Wednesday night, she said, she sells between 100 to 150 pounds of tomatoes.
This event, because it was postponed, occurred on the same night as Field to Family’s Local Food Fair, which brought another opportunity for community members to learn more about local food.
“We bring together our nonprofits that work to promote local food, local farmers, and other food-based local businesses that procure local products to come and showcase what they can offer to the community,” said Michelle Kenyon, the program director for Field to Family.
In addition to the free food presented by Taste of Market, the Local Food Fair provided stands from local businesses with samples of food or information about how to promote localeating in the Iowa City area.
“For people who want a ‘buy local, stay local’ type of mentality, this is great,” produce vendor Eric Buck said. “It keeps your money at home, and it’s helping out your neighbors and vice versa.”
Buck, who has helped his father at the market for two years, said buying local ensures a fresh, high-quality product.
“We’re working all together toward a stronger, more local community-based food system,” Kenyon said.