(Atlantic) Produce in the Park’s organizers invite area residents and visitors to save the date–or rather save every Thursday from the beginning of June through the end of September.
Atlantic’s 2026 summer farmers market season kicks off Thursday, June 4, in the Atlantic City Park (10 W 7th St., Atlantic, IA 50022). Weekly farmers markets are held every Thursday evening from 4:30-6:30 in the shade-filled downtown City Park from the beginning of June through the end of September. Produce in the Park is a nonprofit organization with a dual emphasis on promoting local food and building community, and the weekly markets offer not only a wide range of local foods but also fun for people of all ages. Produce in the Park has developed a reputation across the state as a thriving farmers market, and market organizers are often asked to share tips and insights with other small towns looking to build vibrant, bustling community markets. While organizers stress the importance of a supportive community and reliable vendors selling premium products, they are also quick to note that Atlantic’s farmers markets receive consistent, reliable financial support from local business sponsors.
Sponsorships make it possible for Produce in the Park to hire live musicians and entertainers, promote Atlantic’s year-round farmers market in local and regional news and advertising, distribute free market tote bags, and hire market staff to coordinate multiple volunteers and vendors. Businesses and organizations supporting Produce in the Park as Annual Sponsors for the 2026-2027 season include the City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Cass Health, Atlantic Hy-Vee, Cass County Tourism, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Gregg Young Chevrolet of Atlantic, and the Nishna Valley YMCA.
Additionally, starting summer 2025 and continuing in 2026, Rolling Hills Bank joined Produce in the Park as the Summer Music Sponsor. This new sponsorship has made it possible for Produce in the Park to hire a wider variety of musicians to perform at the City Park shelter during outdoor summer markets. The 2026 entertainment lineup includes bands and musicians such as Galivant, The Prairie Gators, Ridge Runners, Brad Morgen, Tyler Folkers, Who Nu, and Randy Burke, among others.
In addition to free entertainment, Atlantic’s summer 2026 farmers market attendees will find premium local food and craft vendors, a wide variety of food trucks featuring various cuisines, visiting community organizations sharing resources and information, and activities such as bounce houses and face painting. Additional details of Produce in the Park’s summer farmers market schedule will be released soon and also featured throughout the summer on social media and through local news outlets.
To make sure everyone can enjoy fresh, local food, all Produce in the Park farmers markets accept SNAP EBT (food stamps) and Double Up Food Bucks for all qualifying food items.
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.
For the latest information on all Produce in the Park markets, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagra(https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/).
(Photo of Atlantic City Councilman Shawn Sarsfield is courtesy of Farmer’s Market Management)
