IOWA CITY– Field to Family’s contact-free Online Farmers Market season kicks off next week in Iowa City. Customers are 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 receive a reminder email shortly before the season officially begins at noon on Tuesday, April 27. The shopping period remains open at orders.fieldtofamily.org for 24 hours or until orders reach capacity.
On Thursdays and Fridays, staff and volunteers accept product deliveries from vendors and pack and store each customer’s order. The nonprofit seeks additional volunteers to aid the effort, as well as donations of shelves and folding tables.
Customers can pick up first orders on Saturday, May 1, at the Johnson County Health and Human Services (HHS) parking ramp off South Clinton Street, in Iowa City. The Online Markets occur weekly through October.
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/.