Field to Family online farmers market season begins next week

IOWA CITY — Field to Family’s contact-free Online Farmers Market season kicks off next week in Iowa City. Customers will be able to shop seasonal produce, meat, dairy plant starts and value-added food and farm products from 34 enrolled vendors.

Field to Family, the nonprofit running the virtual markets, aims to provide consumer education about seasonal eating and local foods and expand access to farm products from in the area.

“We are privileged to be able to serve as a connector between these talented producers and consumers seeking our region’s best,” said Field to Family director Michelle Kenyon.

Registered customers will receive a reminder email shortly before the season officially begins at noon on Tuesday. The shopping period will remain open at orders.fieldtofamily.org for 24 hours, or until orders reach capacity.

On Thursdays and Fridays, staff and volunteers will accept product deliveries from vendors and pack and store each customer’s order. The nonprofit is seeking additional volunteers to aid this effort, as well as donations of shelves and folding tables.

Customers will pick up their first orders on May 1 at the Johnson County Health and Human Services (HHS) parking ramp off South Clinton Street in Iowa City. The Online Markets will occur weekly through October.

Field to Family is offering the second Online Farmers Market season in response to demand from vendors and community members. Field to Family’s online market is independent from any other farmers markets in the area.

More information about shopping, volunteering and becoming a vendor, as well as a list of all participating vendors, is available at www.fieldtofamily.org/online-farmers-market/.

Iowa City-based nonprofit Field to Family works to create a more local, healthy and sustainable regional food system in Eastern Iowa. Community support, in particular from the City of Iowa City and Johnson County Board of Supervisors, helps make Field to Family’s work possible.