Stock up on fresh produce, baked goods, locally raised meats, and more at these East-Central Iowa farm stands and markets.
Fall is beginning to creep into Iowa mornings and evenings (or at least, we’re pretending it is—this heat is no joke!), but there’s still plenty of summer produce to enjoy.
It’s one of the best times of year to visit a farm stand or local market. Sweet corn is still making appearances, tomatoes and peppers are plentiful, apples are coming into season (so excited for those Honeycrisps), and roadside stands are filled with everything from fresh-baked bread to locally raised meat and homemade jams.
If you’re in East-Central Iowa, consider making a weekend of it. These farm stands and markets offer a chance to stock the kitchen, support local farmers and producers, and maybe find a few things you didn’t know you needed. Like some homemade cookies, perhaps?
Martelle Market
Location: 24326 South Street, Martelle
Just off the Grant Wood Trail in Martelle, Martelle Market makes a convenient stop before or after a little time outdoors. The market brings together products from local family farms, so you’ll find a little bit of everything under one roof.
The fall selection includes fresh apples and raspberries, along with plenty of late-summer favorites. Depending on the season, shoppers can find beans, peppers, carrots, celery, tomatoes, garlic, onions, and cucumbers.
There’s more than produce, too. The market carries locally raised beef and pork, dairy products, honey, teas, baked goods, and refrigerated drinks. Sourdough bread, cinnamon rolls, cookies, and caramel apple dip can make it nearly impossible to leave with only what you came for.
Coffee lovers can also pick up freshly roasted coffee, while the market’s shelves include local art, pottery, candles, cards, and other goods. And if you happen to visit on a Saturday, check out the farm-to-table lunch—a perfect fall activity.
One customer summed up the appeal in a Facebook review: “So grateful for your market! It gives me peace of mind to know where the products I buy come from and how good they are!”
Wonderful Thyme Farms
Location: 3976 Highway 63, Tama
For a true roadside farm-stand experience, put Wonderful Thyme Farms in Tama on your list.
Owned by Bailey Goos, the farm stand operates from spring into late fall and is stocked with locally grown produce and homemade goods.
The selection includes produce, eggs, jams, salsa, pickles, other canned goods, spices, and crafts. The exact offerings depend on what’s growing and being made at the time, so each visit can look a little different.
The stand is open daily as long as it isn’t raining, generally from around 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Payment options include cash, Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal, making it easy to grab something fresh even if you weren’t planning to stop.
MilkHouse Market at Tenley Farms
Location: 681 120th Street, Mechanicsville
For a farm-to-pantry experience with plenty of dairy, head to MilkHouse Market at Tenley Farms in Mechanicsville.
Located at the family farm, the market offers a rotating selection of products, including beef, pork, dairy, baked goods, ice cream, and tallow skincare products. The inventory changes as products sell and the farm restocks, so don’t be surprised if you find something new each time you visit. Recent offerings have included beef sticks, ice cream, baked goods, and farm-raised meats.
The market is open on select days and typically welcomes shoppers in the afternoon, giving visitors a chance to enjoy the countryside while picking up a few farm-fresh goods. It’s a particularly nice stop if your ideal fall outing involves a scenic drive, a stocked refrigerator, and no particular desire to hurry home—sign me up!
Prairie Produce
Location: 511 6th Avenue West, Grinnell
If sweet corn is your love language, make your way to Prairie Produce in Grinnell.
This is the epitome of a produce stand—of course, the name showcases that. Prairie Produce grows and sells its own selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables. The farm stand is open year-round, with hours and availability changing according to the season.
During late summer and early fall, shoppers can find sweet corn, tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, pumpkins, and other fresh produce. The selection can get especially interesting as the season progresses. Recent offerings have included sugar cube cantaloupes, seedless watermelons, and Michigan peaches, along with the usual lineup of garden vegetables.
The sweet corn is picked regularly during the season, while the farm’s cantaloupes and other produce arrive as they’re ready. And because this is Iowa, you never quite know what you’ll find in the garden. Prairie Produce has even shared some of its more unusual harvest discoveries, including twin peppers, cherry tomatoes, and kohlrabi (no worries if you have to Google what that is).
Savor the Barn
Location: 17345 Langworthy Road, Monticello
It’s a bit bigger than just a farm stand, but this beautiful red barn, Savor the Barn, deserves a spot on the list. It’s a place you’ll probably notice before you even realize what it is.
Located alongside the owners’ family farm in Monticello, the rustic red barn is home to a market stocked with products from the farm and other local producers.
Fresh produce is among the highlights, along with pork raised on the family farm without chemicals or antibiotics. The selection changes with the season, which means there’s always a reason to stop back.
Inside, you’ll also find local cheese, honey, baked goods, wine, and organic specialty foods. Savor the Barn doubles as a gallery and gift shop, too, with work from local artisans displayed throughout the space. Seasonal décor, handmade goods, fashion accessories, and other gifts are available as well.
In other words, don’t rush this one. The barn is as much about discovering something unexpected (and pretty!) as it is about buying your weekly produce.
Make a day of it
The best part about visiting a farm stand is that there isn’t really a wrong way to do it. Maybe you’re looking for tomatoes and sweet corn. Maybe you need a loaf of bread. Maybe you leave with homemade salsa, local honey, a candle, lavender lemonade, and absolutely no idea how that happened. That’s part of the fun.
East-Central Iowa has plenty of places where you can buy food directly from farmers and local producers, discover small businesses, and enjoy a little bit of the countryside along the way.
