Submitted
Shoppers peruse local produce and flowers at the Twin City Market in Sterling, Ill.
Did you know?Just because the weather has turned colder doesn't mean that farmers' markets in the region have settled down for a long winter's nap. You can find locally-grown vegetables, meats and poultry, cheese, wine and more at upcoming markets. Here's where to go:
Weekly markets
Davenport: The FreightHouse Farmers' Market is held year-round at 421 W. River Drive,Davenport. Hours are 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. The market provides produce, baked goods, poultry, meats, cheese, wine, eggs, honey, canned goods, candies, dried flowers, jewelry, soaps and pet treats. For more information, visit freighthousefarmersmarket.com.
Dubuque: A winter farmers' market will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays through April 24, 2010, at the Colts Drum &Bugle Corps Building, 1101 Central Ave., Dubuque. Breakfast will be served every week, and there will be live music, too.
The selection of local foods at the market is varied and includes homemade potato chips, pasta, baked goods, grape juice, produce, canned goods, poultry, meats, chevon (goat meat), nuts, seeds, organic seasonings, honey, butter, hydroponic greens and soup mixes. Other items for sale include soaps, honey, pet treats and wreaths. For details, contact Four Mounds Foundation by calling (563) 557-7292.
Sterling, Ill.: The Twin City Market is held from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday, year-round, at the Twin City Produce Building, 2nd Street andAvenue A, Sterling. The market has a commercial kitchen and serves food every weekend, incorporating local ingredients when it's possible, says Ed Cox, president of Sterling Main Street, which runs the market.
The market offers produce, bison, grass-fed beef, pork, poultry, cheeses from Wisconsin, fresh apple cider, honey, baked goods and organic seasonings. For more information, visit tcmarket.org, call (815) 626-8610 or e-mail info@tcmarket.org.
Other markets
Bettendorf, Iowa: The Mississippi Valley Growers Association (MVGA) will host a farmers' market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 5, 12 and 19 at The Isle of Capri Casino, 1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf. The market will have a small selection of fall produce, pet treats, jams, pies and other baked goods, and locally-made gifts for holiday giving. For more information about the MVGA, visit mvgrowers.com.
Iowa City: A holiday farmers' market will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City. Admission is free to the special event, which will offer not only food, but also handmade gift items. Available foods will include produce, poultry, baked goods, spices, sauces, candy, coffee, jams and jellies. Also for sale will be candles, pet treats and toys, jewelry, greeting cards, wood crafts, and embroidered and tie-dyed clothings, blankets and rugs. For further details, call the Iowa City parks and recreation department at (319) 356-5100.
Macomb, Ill.: Growers Ken and Debby Dallefeld will host two farmers' markets from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 5 and 19 at their farm, WestPrairie Farm, 14170 N. 1400 Road, Macomb. The farm is located 2 miles north of the JCPenney store on Bower Road. The markets will offer local beef, pork, cheese, squash, garlic, greens, root vegetables and apples. Contact information for producers selling eggs, baked goods and noodles will be available, but county rules don't allow the items to be sold at the market. Amish-made crafts, such as rag rugs, also will be for sale. For more information, call Ken Dallefeld at (309) 333-1417.
