Produce in the Park will host its annual Sweetheart Market on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA in Atlantic.

The holiday farmers market will feature favorite area vendors along with family-friendly activities, including face painting and a free bounce house provided by the YMCA. The market’s featured winter vegetable will be the sweet potato. Healthy Cass County will host a “Sweet potato All-Stars” booth with a mini basketball game and sweet potato snacks, while Cass County Conservation will partner with Lori’s Unique Cards & Crafts to offer a free Valentine’s-making craft station using sweet potato stamps, sewing, and more.

Vendors will sell a variety of items including fresh produce, local meats, farm-fresh eggs, honey, jams, breads, freeze-dried snacks, and Valentine’s desserts such as heart-shaped cookies, cupcakes, kringle, and cinnamon rolls. Craft vendors will offer bath and body products, crocheted items, candles, seasonal décor, gifts, and potted plants.

The Pancake Man will serve all-you-can-eat pancakes during the market. Meal proceeds will benefit Cass County food pantries. The cost is $8 for adults ages 19 and older and $5 for children 18 and under. Admission to the market is free, and SNAP/EBT and Double Up Food Bucks are accepted for qualifying food items.

Applications are still being accepted for vendors and sponsors for the Holiday Market Series. More information is available at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.

Opening Day

Produce in the Park’s Summer 2025 Farmers Market season is kicking off with a roar! Opening Day is Thursday, June 5 from 4:30-6:30 PM at the Atlantic City Park (10 W 7th St., Atlantic, IA 50022), and the theme is Dinosaur Time—a playful nod to a popular TikTok trend that celebrates eating leafy greens like plant-eating dinosaurs–no forks required! Videos on Produce in the Park’s Facebook and Instagram pages show local farmers market supporters eating greens like dinosaurs.

What to Expect

At the market, community members of all ages will be invited to enjoy free tastes of fresh greens (lettuce, spinach, and kale) and embrace their inner dinosaur. Adding to the fun, live music will be provided by the band The Prairie Gators. Kids will also enjoy a YMCA-provided bounce house and dinosaur-themed face painting.

Zipp’s Pizzaria food truck will be serving up slices on-site, and over 20 local vendors will be offering fresh and homemade goods at the June 5 market. Shoppers can expect to find a wide selection of early summer produce, including greens, radishes, snap peas, and green onions, along with farm-fresh eggs, locally raised meats (beef, lamb, pork, and chicken), and local honey and aronia berry products. Other favorites include fresh-squeezed lemonade, sourdough bread, nut and trail mixes, desserts like cookies, cupcakes, Danish kringle, and wine breads, and a wide variety of crafts and gifts. Handmade items range from jewelry and air fresheners to art, crocheted stuffed animals, and garden decorations.

Admission

As with all Produce in the Park farmers markets, admission is free, and community organizations will be present to share local resources and information.
Produce in the Park summer markets accept SNAP EBT (food stamps) and Double Up Food Bucks for all qualifying food items.

Vendors

Produce in the Park continues to accept vendor and sponsor applications for summer markets in the Atlantic City Park. Applications can be completed online at www.ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com, and printed copies are available at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce (102 Chestnut St., Atlantic, IA 50022). Produce in the Park welcomes vendors selling handmade or homegrown products, including local foods and baked goods, crafts, art, decorations, and plants.