Eating Healthy and Sustainably

With summer around the corner, you might be rushing to fix your eating and fitness habits before its too late. Social media and online chatter likes to emphasize the importance of “looking good.”

But the reality is, no short-term desire will help us live a nutritious, sustainable, and enjoyable life.

We all want to look amazing and there is nothing wrong with that — but at the Grinnell Farmers Market, we also like to encourage having fun with our foods and eating well enough to feel great mentally and for the long haul.

And if you are receiving this email, you are probably off to a good start. Get excited to chat with your local vendors and create an ingredient list — maybe there is a new vegetable at Market you haven’t tried. Pick a day (we are open Thursdays and Saturdays!), and make the Farmers Market part of your weekly routine.

Food should be fun and flexible — and hey, at least 75% of nationwide Farmers Market attendees reported eating healthier because of their market shopping habits.

Be part of that 75%. Savor the season!

In This Newsletter:

• Announcements
• Sponsor Recognitions & A Message from Our Silver Partner
• Product Highlight: Asparagus
• A Message from Our Presenting Partner

Music Performance: Nobody Cares!!

Just kidding, we know our Market shoppers care. 😉 Join Nobody Cares on Thurs., May 28 from 4-6 PM for some acoustic tunes!

Nobody Cares is a musical duo based in Des Moines, with Nancy Gordon on guitar and vocals, and Grinnell College writer Tim Schmitt on guitar. They play original music, as well as cover great tunes from classic rock to classic country.

Plus, Justin Roberts & The Not-Ready-For-Naptime Players‍ will be performing at the inaugural Music in the Park at 7 PM! For a full list of musical performances, visit the Grinnell Chamber’s summer music line-up webpage.

Plant-A-Pizza Returns!

Join the Olson Garden Market to plant ingredients for a delicious pizza: tomato, onion, and basil. This is a free event, open to all ages!

Save the date! Plant-A-Pizza will be happening on:

• Thurs., June 4, 3-6 PM
• Sat., June 6, 9:30 AM-12 PM during the Prairie Burn!

May Seasonal Guide

Savoring the season means enjoying the Grinnell Farmers Market while its open for the next few months, but it also means savoring the produce as its in season! Some produce available now includes lettuce, rhubarb, spinach, and radishes.

Check out May’s seasonal guide, also available on the Grinnell Chamber website and Facebook.

First Giveaway Drawing on June 4

What is your favorite item at the Grinnell Farmers Market? Last week, we asked our social media followers to tell us to be entered into our next giveaway! Feel free to click the link above to enter.

Top three answers so far: 1) tomatoes, 2) anything freeze-dried and 3) baked goods. If you haven’t tried these delectables, now is your chance!

Recap: Opening Week!

We had an amazing opening weekend at the Grinnell Farmers Market season and are excited to do it all over again! Check out some of our opening weekend photos on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Community 1st is Looking for a Part-Time Teller!

Are you passionate about delivering excellent member service? Join Community 1st Credit Union as a Part-Time Teller at our Grinnell location! Picture yourself engaging with diverse members, providing top-notch financial solutions, and being the face of C1st in the community. No banking experience? No problem. C1st is looking for candidates with strong customer service experience, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn. The team will provide the training need to build a successful career with C1st. Apply today!

Did You Know?

In the 1900s, Hadley, Massachusetts was known as the asparagus capital of the world — so much so that a local business, Flayvors of Cook Farm, began making asparagus ice cream. Yum!

Create An Asparagus Side Dish!

Maybe asparagus ice cream is not your jam, but if you’d like a nutritious side with your dinners, this recipe is great!

Ingredients:

• A bundle of asparagus (B&J Vegetables, Olson Garden Market, Compass Plant CSA)
• Minced garlic or garlic powder
• Salt and peper
• Optional: Sesame oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven on 425 degrees.
2. While the oven is preheating, season your asparagus with a touch of salt and pepper.
3. Mince garlic and add to the batch. Or if that is too much work (we don’t blame you!), throw some garlic powder onto the asparagus.
4. Sprinkle in some sesame oil (or a vegetable/olive oil) and massage all the oil and seasonings into the asparagus.
5. Pop into the oven for 12-15 minutes or whenever the asparagus looks softened.
6. Enjoy!

Other options for preparing asparagus is squeezing citrus, sprinkling cheese, and changing up the seasonings! Let us know what is your favorite way of cooking asparagus and we will throw in your name in our next Farmers Market giveaway.

Giving Back is the Grinnell Mutual Way

Grinnell Mutual recently awarded $80,000 in scholarships to students across their writing territory to support their youngest customers. That’s just one example of their company ethos of giving back — it doesn’t stop at scholarships. Grinnell Mutual, the Grinnell Mutual Group Foundation, and Grinnell Mutual employees donate tens of thousands of dollars to non-profit groups every year, and almost all of it stays in Poweshiek County/Central Iowa.