Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’

Grinnell Farmers Market shopper,

Most people say change is hard. A new work environment. A refreshed fashion wardrobe. Even entering a new grocery store — or farmers market — can feel disorientating.

What is it about change that is so uneasy? Having to meet new people? Figuring out something brand new? Learning — after many trips — which groceries are with which vendor?

In life, we are told habits are key. But change also means moving forward to where you want to go. Do you want to be the person who is known to be nice at work? Or do you want to be the fashionable one? Perhaps you want to try new vegetables at the Market to improve your health.

Maybe habits, coupled with change, can be a lot more effective than we think.

Start talking to a new coworker at your job every day. Start looking up one fashion video on YouTube every night. Start visiting the Grinnell Farmers Market every Thursday night.

If you want to become something, Market shopper, start.

If you want to savor the season, shop. 🌱

In This Newsletter:

• Announcements
• Learn to Cook with the Grinnell Farmers Market
• Sponsor Recognitions
• Hydrate or Die-drate
• A Grinnell Farmers Market Recipe
• Photo Bomb: Check Out Our Art Vendors

National Farmers Market Week

Time to shorten your food chain! National Farmers Market Week is from August 2-8, 2026. This annual celebration highlights the vital role farmers markets play in our nation’s food system, so help celebrate them by coming to Market!

To celebrate, join our Grinnell Farmers Market vendors for their biggest, weirdest, funnest vegetable and fruit competition on August 6, from 3-6 PM! Community members are encouraged to submit their own vegetables and fruit. At the Market, vote your favorite one and the winner gets a prize!

Conservation Station Coming to Market

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is helping to bring a Conservation Station to Grinnell! The Conservation Station — a fleet of mobile learning centers that educate audiences of all ages on different conservation aspects — will be at Market on Saturday, August 1.

Each trailer houses a unique combination of highly visual and interactive Iowa-centric demonstrations that delve into the impacts of land management choices, both urban and agricultural, on water quality and the connections between our state’s water, soil, and wildlife.

Barefoot Becky & The Ivanhoe Dutchmen @ Music in the Park

Hailing from Mt. Vernon, Iowa, Becky and her crew will bring their seasoned mix of polka favorites after the Grinnell Farmers Market. Bring your dancing shoes!

Music in the Park, presented by the Grinnell Area Arts Council, starts at 7 PM at the Central Park stage.

Star in our Instagram Account...Or Just Have a Laugh!

Farmers Market shoppers: are you interested in being in an Instagram reel for Market? Let us know! Email communications@getintogrinnell.com to film a reel.

P.S. Our latest Farmers Market reel is now on Instagram!

Submit Farmers Market Content!

Farmers Market vendors: submit your pictures to the Farmers Market team for their website and social media platforms! Send all photos to communications@getintogrinnell.com.*

*Submitting photos does not automatically guarantee they will be used.

Storytime Art in the Park

Storytime Art in the Park’s final days at the Market are July 23 & 30, 3:30-5 p.m., Central Park Shelter House. View all Storytime Art event dates on the Chamber website.

Tips for Cooking Your Market Vegetables

Love to eat? But somehow when you try to cook, it isn’t the best? Not to worry, the Grinnell Farmers Market, presented by Grinnell Mutual, is coming to you with some tips.

Get That Crunch

Do you love to make stir fry? Us, too! Whether adding to rice or noodles, adding vegetables is always a good choice.

🌱 Savor the Season Tip: use high heat, minimal oil, and stir constantly for a boost in crunch and color in your food.

Avoid the Sogginess

Cooking a side of vegetables? Here’s one thing to know: don’t crowd your pan of vegetables. Crowding your pan means steaming your veggies. But if you leave enough space between vegetables, now you are in sautéing territory. Bingo!

🌱 Savor the Season Tip: If you’d like an extra crispy bite, add a touch of water to your pan under high heat and let it evaporate.

🎵 Still, they hate you (still, they hate you), You're a vegetable (you're a vegetable)...🎵

Top Hydrating Foods At Market

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a glass of water isn’t the only way to hydrate your body. Fill your plate with vegetables and reap the benefits of a properly regulated body temperature, lubricated joints, improved sleep quality, and a better mood.

Here are some foods we have available at Market:

• Cucumbers: 96% water, score!
• Zucchini: 95% water — fun fact: they are part of the cucumber plant family.
• Tomatoes: 94% of water; one cup of chopped tomatoes offers about 5 ounces of water!
• Spinach: 93% water served with a side of iron. 😉
• Cauliflower: 92% water, packed with vitamin C and K
• Bell peppers: 92% water teamed up with a serving of vitamins!
• Broccoli: 90% water with, you guess it, a high level of nutrients.

🌱 Savor the Season Tip: Review our seasonal guide each month! Not only do we list our vegetables, we also include accompanying benefits so you know exactly what goodness eating a Market vegetable brings to you.

Zucchini & Egg Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups of shredded zucchini (from any of our veggie vendors!)
• 6-8 eggs (from Compass Plant CSA)
• 1/2 cup cheese
• Optional: if you are feeling fancy — and I mean you kind of are at the Market already, you can add chopped up spinach, broccoli, bell peppers to this dish!
• Optional: Diced meat of any kind, like bacon, ham, or sausage (Compass Plant CSA sells a variety of meat!)

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F.
• Shred your zucchini with a cheese grater or take a vegetable peeler and peel ribbons until the zucchini disappears!
• Butter up (grease) an 8x8 dish.
• Mix all your zucchini/vegetables into the pan.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes.

What Art is At Market?

Take a look! These are art pieces from Dream State 3D, Crafts of Passioner, Dolezal Honey Bees, and Handmade! View more art vendors on the Chamber website.

Secret Giveaway Offering...

If you made this far into the newsletter, you deserve to be rewarded! Reply back to this newsletter with the reference made in the subject line and be entered to win the Farmers Market giveaway! Hint: sing your heart out at the end of the “Learn to Cook with the Farmers Market” section of the newsletter.

(Psst, right or wrong answer, we will enter you in the giveaway, anyway!)

Savor the season! 🌱