(Article Submitted by Ciara Hoegh, Market Manager for Produce in the Park)
(Atlantic, Iowa) Produce in the Park’s 2026 summer farmers markets opening day is set for June 4, and all area residents are invited to celebrate farm-to-table Thursday, June 4, from 4:30-6:30 PM at the Atlantic City Park (10 W. 7th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022).
To celebrate farm-to-table, Brun Ko Farm will be providing a radish-harvesting activity. The activity will highlight the day’s featured produce, radishes, and give market visitors the chance to dig in the dirt and harvest this early-season root vegetable. Cass Health Registered Dietitian
Sarah Andersen notes that the high water content and beneficial plant compounds in radishes make incorporating them into everyday meals an easy choice.
Produce in the Park promotes food vendors–including farmers, bakers, and food trucks. Alongside food trucks, Pim’s Thai and Lucky Wife Wine Slushies, family-owned Noble Provisions will grill burgers on opening day. Noble Provisions is a multi-generational livestock and grain
family business that aims to serve the local community. This goal of serving neighbors and friends is shared by the many vendors expected to join the market this season.
Crowd favorite The Prairie Gators Band will return to the market with free, live music that blends Cajun folk, gospel and bluegrass tones, thanks to summer music sponsor Rolling Hills Bank. Other entertainment scheduled for June 4 includes a free bounce house provided by the YMCA,
among other activities.
The June 4 farm-to-table theme was chosen to align with Cass County libraries’ summer programming theme, “Plant a Seed, Read”–which is rooted in farm-to-table. Both food and stories connect people to their families, cultures, environment, and communities. Just a few days before the first summer farmers market, Atlantic Public Library is holding their summer programming kickoff on Monday, June 1 from 4:00-6:00 PM at the Atlantic Public Library. Various community organizations, including Produce in the Park, will be in attendance with
activities and information.
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. Sponsors for the month of June include Community First Credit Union and United Church of Christ.
Produce in the Park is held every Thursday evening in Atlantic City Park from 4:30–6:30 PM from June through September. All are welcome, and admission is free. The market accepts SNAP/EBT, SUN Bucks (Summer EBT available to children). For more information on SUN Bucks, visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/assistance-programs/food-assistance/sun-bucks. Produce in the Park also accepts Double Up Food Bucks, which are 2-for-1 produce coupons available to SNAP/EBT and Summer EBT recipients. For more information on Double Up Food Bucks, visit https://www.iowahealthieststate.com/doubleup.
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 Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/).
