By Iandra Estupinian–The Sioux City Farmers Market season has come again, starting May 1st and ending October 27. Conveniently located just past the Tyson Events Center in downtown Sioux City, you can find many friendly vendors selling fresh and organic goodies.
The Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Vendors change depending on availability of produce and growing seasons. Saturdays are often the busier day.
Coming from the West Coast and not the Midwest, I thought it would be fun to visit the Market while it was at the beginning of its season. I took a few of my friends on a Saturday.
Not only was that Saturday Star Wars Day, but the weather had improved for the better. The sun was out and many of the people were happy to be outside. This was a great start for me since I’ve never been to a farmers market.
The market wasn’t that big but my friend, who does live in the Midwest, told me more vendors would start making the trip. I didn’t mind because the vendors that were there were selling a lot of good foods and products.
The majority of the vendors were selling vegetables and jars or sticks of honey, which were really good. I also saw vendors selling non-farm products like tie-dye clothes, organic soap, wood creations, pet treats, and baked sweets. Coffee and Nosh even made an appearance, alongside some other food vendors like Erik’s Enchiladas and J & J Old Fashioned Kettle Corn.
As a food lover and mediocre cook, I found some treasures at C. Brown Gardens & Farm Fresh Beef. They sell jams and jellies that are like nothing I’ve ever tried and I left that tent with a bottle of their hottest jam, Habanero.
Going through the market, I found that many of the products are not overly priced and are fun to try out. Luckily, the vendors believe in “trying things out” because you can get a lot of samples in this place.
As this market was my first, I would have to say Sioux City is very close-knit and proud of what they grow and sell. I really enjoyed talking with the vendors and learning how all this farming works (remember I live in a city!) Overall this trip was great and I would definitely go again in August when I return to the Midwest.
If you don’t have anything to do on a Wednesday or Saturday and are in Sioux City, stop by the market. Not only do you get to waste some down time but you might also find some good things to buy, supporting local farmers and craftsman.
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