Let’s Be Honest

Gasp — the Grinnell Farmers Market sells much more than produce. From baked goods to crafts, the Farmers Market is a great place to shop for locally-made gifts, home decorations, and sweet treats. This year, we have mini donuts, books, banana bread, 3-D art, jewelry, and so much more!

Without our local entrepreneurs, there would be no Grinnell Farmers Market. So as you peruse the Market this Thursday or Saturday this week, ask a vendor how they crafted their art work, or what got them into baking and selling at Farmers Market in general. Their answers might just surprise you.

Savor the season!

In This Newsletter:

• Announcements
• Sponsor Highlight: Unity Point Health — Grinnell
• 5 Foods At Market
• You Could Win a Market Basket!
• A Message From Grinnell Mutual
• Sponsor Recognitions
• Meet the Vendor: Dolezal Honey Bees 
• Plant a Pizza Recap

June Seasonal Guide

You might have seen the Grinnell Farmers Market slogan, “Savor the Season” — what does it mean? The Farmers Market season is only here for a short time, just like our monthly produce!

Check out June’s seasonal guide, available on the Grinnell Chamber website!

Start A Market Loyalty Punch Card!

One way to enter a Grinnell Farmers Market giveaway is to complete a Market Loyalty punch card. With each Market purchase, a vendor can sign off a slot on your card. With 10 purchases marked on your punch card, you are automatically submitted to win a basket of Farmers Market goodies, including baked goods, produce, and more! Collect a punch card with our market team at the corner of 4th Ave. and Broad Street.

Lani @ Music in the Park

After the Farmers Market on Thurs., June 18, Lani and her band will be performing at Central Park beginning at 7 PM, courtesy of the Grinnell Area Arts Council. Lani performed at the Grinnell Farmers Market last September and is now back in Grinnell to deliver more tunes!

Grab Free Swag with Our Sponsor!

Time to say hello! Our silver sponsor, Unity Point Health-Grinnell, will be at upcoming markets to give out awesome swag, from measuring cups to sewing kits! Big thank you for sponsoring the Farmers Market — without Unity Point Health-Grinnell, the Market could not be possible!

🌱 Savor the Season Tip: If you miss Unity Point Health this time around, not to worry! They typically visit the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month during Grinnell Farmers Market.

Some Secret Finds That’ll Make Your Day

Vegetables are one of many favorite items at Market, but did you know that some of our farmers sell more than that? Take a look:

• Herbs with Compass Plant CSA and Olson Garden Market — buy some basil, tarragon, and more! Make sure to ask our farmers, Ann, Brian, and Kerri what they will have available in the future, too.
• Freeze-dried fruits with B&J Vegetables and Prairie Produce. Looking for a healthy, sweet treat? Rumor has it that some of these vendors have perfected their goods to taste exactly like the Gerber yogurt melt bites. Ask for a sample with Prairie Produce.
• Eggs! Stroll on by to Compass Plant CSA and ask for a carton of eggs from her chickens, who she promises live happy lives before they are *ahem* put down for dinner. Which leads us to our next item…
• Chicken (& other meat items!) — with Compass Plant CSA! If you buy meat from Ann Brau, you can be sure that she has treated these wonderful animals with respect.
• Salsas and pickled goods with B&J Vegetables and Prairie Produce. From mild to spicy, Bill, Roger, and Teresa have you covered.

Giveaway Alert!

Our last giveaway received over 60 entries — and Elizabeth Dyer was the lucky winner for a Grinnell Farmers Market basket full of produce, baked goods, earrings, honey, and more!

On Thursday, July 2, we are drawing for a second winner — will you be the one to walk away with the goods?

How to enter: FIll out a Farmers Market Loyalty Punch Card and submit it to the Farmers Market stall in the corner of 4th Ave and Broad St. (If you forget to give it then, you can drop it off at our lovely Market hosts, the Grinnell Chamber, at 833 4th Ave). 

🌱 Savor the Season Tip: watch out for a Facebook post announcing our next giveaway! Hint: it will ask for a picture of your next Farmers Market haul, so snap away!

Investing in Our Community

The Grinnell Mutual Group Foundation (GMGF) is proud to partner with Grinnell College to help provide an educational legacy for the Grinnell-Newburg Schools. The GMGF has donated $225,000 to help build the new Grinnell Elementary school’s accessible playground, outfit the school gymnasium, and contribute to the school’s fixtures and furnishings.

“Providing a state-of-the-art educational environment is crucial to giving our students a strong foundation for learning and interacting with each other and teachers,” said Grinnell Mutual President and CEO Dave Wingert. “A thriving school system is the cornerstone of a vibrant community.”

Penny and Jim Dolozeal

Who says love can’t be found online? That’s how our honey vendors, Jim and Penny Dolozeal, met — since then, things have taken quite a *sweet* turn.

“We shared so many interests,” recounts Jim. “But one was over unique animals.” Back in Tama, Jim owned a variety of animals like an elk and mini donkeys, which he would take on the road to petting zoos.

And of course, he was fascinated by bees, so he had those, too! Once Jim and Penny settled down together, the two were thinking about starting a bee-related business.

Now, they sell their honey on Thursdays at the Grinnell Farmers Market! Read their full Meet the Vendor profile on the Grinnell Farmers Market Facebook page.

Plant a Pizza Recap

Thank you to Olson Garden Market for hosting Plant a Pizza last week! Because of their generosity, many Market shoppers walked away with a free tomato, basil, and onion plant. The Olsons will continue selling plants for a little while longer, so get them while you can!

🌱 Savor the Season Tip: If you need tips and tricks for taking care of your plant, ask the Olsons! They have specific tips for their different varieties of plants.