Celebrating Until the End of Farmers Market!


This September won’t be like any other September...this time the Market is bringing a little bit of a Latin twist and extra celebration! Every September, Des Moines celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) with their Latino Heritage Festival. So we thought, why not bring a piece of the festivities to the Grinnell Farmers Market? From Latin music to quesadilla cooking demos, take a peek at our “Upcoming Event” section of today’s newsletter to see what we have planned this month. Plus, we have events to celebrate students coming back into town, including during Grinnell College’s family weekend!


Also, you might notice you’ll receive an exclusive first look of certain guides and event posters before they’re officially released! Savor the season! 🌱

In This Newsletter:

  • Announcements
  • Exclusive First Look: Poster Explosion
  • Farmers Market Recipe: Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake
  • Sneak Peek: September Seasonal Guide
  • Event Spotlight: Live Music with Lani
  • Upcoming Market Events
  • Sponsor Recognitions

Announcements

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!


Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latinx history and culture. In particular, the celebration brings an extra spotlight to the contributions the Latinx community has brought to the United States, including advocacy work, art, music, popular and traditional foods, and much more. In Grinnell, the Latinx community is ever so growing — please join us in celebrating our community right at home with some of this month’s events!

Trivia to Come!


Watch our Facebook and Instagram stories for a round of trivia questions next week! If you miss them, they’ll be available in our next newsletter!

Don’t Say We Never Asked — Have Ideas for Market?


Our 5-minute 2025 Farmers Market Customer Survey is open, so tell us what inspires you to come to Market, which times you prefer, and how you prefer to get news from us. We deeply appreciate your time in helping us make the Market season better, even within these next few months!

Exclusive First Look: Poster Explosion

With an array of events happening this month, what better way to promote than with a poster? Take an exclusive first look at our first week’s events in September.


Savor the Season Tip: Help spread the word of our events by sharing our Facebook posts or Instagram stories! Or better yet, find a printer and help us poster around town. The more, the merrier! 🌱

Farmers Market Recipe: Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake

Use Farmers Market Ingredients!


If you have questions about where to find a vendor, ask at the information stall on the sidewalk plaza of 4th Ave. and Broad St.


  • 2 medium-sized zucchini — from Bill Sager’s B&J Vegetables
  • 2 medium-sized yellow squashes — Bill Sager’s B&J Vegetables
  • 2-4 tablespoons of fresh basil — Ann Brau’s Compass Plant CSA
  • 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme — Ann Brau’s Compass Plant CSA
  • 3/4 teaspoon of garlic powder or general seasonings from Brian and Kerri Olson, Olson Garden Market
  • 1/2 cup & 1/2 cup grated mozzarella or Monterey Jack
  • 1/2 cup coarsely grated Parmesan, plus a little more for the top if desired
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil or non-stick spray


Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Spray an 9x9 or 9x12 inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.


2. Wash the squash and cut in slices.


3. Wash basil, dry with paper towels, and finely chop.


4. Combine sliced squash, basil, dried thyme, garlic powder, and your cheeses. Stir together until the veggies are coated with cheese and herbs are well distributed. Season with salt and pepper.


5. Put mixture in the baking dish and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes (stab a piece of zucchini with a fork to be sure it's mostly tender).


6. When the zucchini is nearly cooked through, take the casserole dish out of the oven and sprinkle over the remain 1/2 cup of grated cheese (your preference), plus a little more Parmesan if desired. 


7. Put the dish back in the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and browned.

Sneak Peek: Seasonal Guide

Time for Squash, Peaches, and More!


In a few days, September will be here! This month brings exciting new additions, like peaches and all kinds of squashes! Before the series launches on our Facebook page and Instagram story, enjoy an exclusive first look!


After this seasonal guide, we will have only one seasonal guide left to go — eek! It really makes you want to savor the season!

Event Spotlight: Live Music with Lani

Latin Music with Lani


The Farmers Market is so excited to have Lani from the Des Moines area join us on a beautiful Saturday morning (Sept. 6) for a fusion of Latin music! She will perform songs from Selena Quintanilla, Enrique Iglesias, and Shakira. Enjoy a cooking demo of pork and chicken quesadillas from Compass Plant CSA while you listen!


Lani is a Colombian-American singer/songwriter whose mission is to bridge cultures and generations through music that celebrates Latino heritage while resonating with a broad American audience. Rooted in storytelling, heart, and community, her work creates performances and events that invite people of all ages to connect, dance, and reflect. Her artistry is dedicated to enriching the cultural landscape of Iowa and beyond, using music as a tool for unity, joy, and transformation. Learn more about Lani and upcoming musical events on her website: https://www.officiallani.com/.

Upcoming Market Events

Thursday, September 4

  • Riddle Scavenger Hunt with Prizes. Begins at the information stall on the sidewalk plaza between 4th Ave. and Broad St.


Saturday, September 6

  • Latin Music @ Market with Lani
  • Pork and Chicken Quesadillas Cooking Demo


Thursday, September 11

  • Zumba Dance Class from 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m.
  • Tamale Food Truck!


Saturday, September 13

  • Music @ Market with Mark Laver and Tony Perman


Thursday, September 18

  • Car Seat Safety Checks with UnityPoint Health
  • Tamale Food Truck!


Saturday, September 20

  • Apple Press Event with Middle Way Farm — make some free apple cider!


Thursday, September 25

  • New Resident Welcome from 3-6 p.m.
  • Mini Latin Dance Show


Sponsor Recognitions

The 2025 Grinnell Farmers Market season is presented by:

In partnership with:

The Grinnell Farmers Market is organized and produced by the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce.

Follow @grinnellfarmersmarket on Facebook and Instagram!

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