Farmers' Markets

The Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department currently operates three farmers' markets. The former Riverside Roundhouse market is now located at the 8th Avenue SE parking lot on Tuesdays and Saturdays and Greene Square Park on Thursdays. The other market is located at the Noelridge Greenhouse parking lot on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. In addition to these three markets, the Downtown District Farmers' Market, located on 3rd and 4th from 2nd to 5th Streets, will open for business on the following Saturdays this year: June 6, June 20, July 18, August 1, August 15, September 5 and October 3.

Vendors lease the stalls from the City to sell fruits, vegetables, meats, and crafts to local consumers. The 8th Avenue City, Greene Square Park and Noelridge Markets are certified by the Iowa State Agriculture Department to accept IFMNP checks from the WIC Program. The WIC Program’s function is to supply supplemental foods rich in nutrients to women, infants, and children in need.

The Noelridge and 8th Avenue City Farmers' Markets run from May to October. The Greene Square Park Farmers' Market runs from June 11 through August 27. The Noelridge, 8th Avenue and Greene Square Park Farmers' Markets are coordinated by the Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department. For inquiries, please contact Teresa White at 286-5699 or t.white@cedar-rapids.org. The large Downtown District Farmers' Markets are coordinated by the Cedar Rapids Downtown District. For inquiries, please contact Jill Wilkins at 398-0449 or jill@downtowncr.org. 

History of the Farmers' Market

The farmers' market in Cedar Rapids has been a popular tradition since 1902. Held on First Street between "E" and "F" Avenues, the first market was an open-air, unpaved sales area. A cement walk in 1927 was one of the improvements over earlier marketing conditions. The market moved to the Riverside Roundhouse after it was built in 1964. It moved again in 2007 to its current location at 8th Avenue and 2nd Street SE.