(Press release from Ciara Hoegh, Produce in the Park Market Manager)
(Atlantic) Sweet potatoes will take center stage at Produce in the Park’s Sweetheart Farmers Market on Saturday, February 14, from 10 AM to noon at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, 1100 Maple St., Atlantic.
As the featured food of the market, sweet potatoes will be celebrated. Cass Health Registered Dietitian Sarah Andersen emphasizes their health benefits: “Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, a powerful plant compound that works throughout your body to protect what matters most. It helps keep your eyes sharp as you age, shields skin from sun and pollution, supports immune defenses, and stabilizes your cells against everyday oxidative damage.”
Locally-grown sweet potatoes will be available at Sweetheart Market from both Bridgewater Farm and Brun Ko Farm. Additionally, Healthy Cass County will host a “Sweet Potato All-Stars” booth featuring a mini basketball game and sweet potato snacks.
In a creative twist on the market’s featured food, Cass County Conservation is partnering with Lori’s Unique Cards & Crafts to offer a free Valentine-making station. Inspired by the trending “grandma hobbies” movement, the craft will feature simple sewing projects and sweet potato stamping–turning sweet potatoes into art.
In addition to sweet potato fun, Sweetheart Market will offer all-you-can-eat pancakes from The Pancake Man, face painting, a free bounce house provided by the Nishna Valley YMCA, and lots of area farmers’ market vendors selling a wide range of local foods and crafts.
Sweetheart Market Vendor Lineup:
The Pancake Man – all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, and drink. $8/adult (age 19+) and $5/child (18 and under). Atlantic Hy-Vee is donating milk and orange juice, and Cass Health is donating coffee. Proceeds will be donated to Cass County food pantries. 322 Kravings Freeze Dried & More – Freeze-dried candy, fruit, veggies, snack mixes Bridgewater Farm – Leafy greens, sweet potatoes, potatoes, eggs Brun Ko Farm – Sweet potatoes, squash, onions, carrots, chicken, lamb Cat Tales Face Painting – Face painting, glitter tattoos Dragonfly Creations – Soy candles, wax melts, soaps, sugar scrubs, beard oil Faithful Roots – Hair accessories, bookmarks, baby items, cinnamon rolls Fire and Flour – Sourdough, heart sugar cookies, cinnamon rolls, baked goods Frosting, Inc. – Gourmet cupcakes and desserts Hall House Freeze Dried Foods – Freeze-dried fruits, veggies, yogurt, candy Hansen Family Homestead – Pork, whole chicken, sourdough bread Hoopy Hallow Ranch – Lamb, beef, eggs Hutchison Family Farm – Eggs, jams & jellies, pasta sauce Imagine Garden Gift Store – Plants, planters, garden & Valentine décor It Makes Total Scents – Car freshies, diffusers, carpet dust, salt sizzlers Lori’s Unique Cards & Crafts – Cards, crafts, holiday décor Mama’s House Market – Sourdough, infused oils, sugars & salts, soaps Noble & West Co. – Soaps, body care, perfume oils, gift baskets Noble Provisions – Beef, Sweetheart bundle (ribeyes & summer sausage) Off the Hook Crochet – Crochet animals, hats, doll clothes Renander Farms – Eggs, breads, pastries, desserts SP Creations – Crochet items Sweet Vale Creations – Soy candles, wax melts, car diffusers, keepsake jewelry Ter-Bear Honey – Honey The Kringle Man – Danish kringle, pastries, giant heart cookies (pre-order at 712-764-3663 jurentvc@gmail.com) TJ’s Kitchen – Wine bread pastries.
Admission to Sweetheart Market is free, and all are welcome at Produce in the Park farmers markets. The market accepts SNAP/EBT and Double Up Food Bucks for all qualifying food items.
Produce in the Park farmers markets are sponsored by the City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Gregg Young Chevrolet of Atlantic, Cass Health, Cass County Tourism, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and Nishna Valley Family YMCA.
Produce in the Park continues to accept applications for vendors and sponsors for their 2025-2026 Holiday Market Series. For details and applications, see www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.
For the latest market updates, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark or Instagram at www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/, or sign up for the Produce in the Park email newsletter at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com.
