50+ Lifestyles

Freight House Farmers Market Brings Nutritious Food to the QC

By Logan Anderson, BA, CPT, CIFT
Owner of All Strong Fitness LLC

As a fellow member of the midwest, I can safely say that I am so happy we have finally reached farmers market season. This signifies the start of weather being (for the most part) consistently warm, in addition to being a great opportunity to get fresh produce and goods from local vendors. The Freight House Farmers market, in Davenport Iowa, is an excellent resource in finding local members in our surrounding community that sell fresh produce and meats, varying crafts and boutique items, or delectable items fresh out of a food truck.

The main purpose of highlighting the Freight House Farmers market is to bring awareness to a local option to find fresh and healthy food options for individuals in the Quad Cities communities. One of the hardest parts of eating a health promoting diet, is finding cheap and high quality sources of food and nutrients. The farmers market is a way that one can support local businesses, while also finding these high quality food sources to line their fridge, and feed their families well.

If you aren’t familiar with the Freight House Farmers market, it is located in the River Bandits parking lot in downtown Davenport, right on the river. The location itself takes up numerous parking lots, as vendors fight for a spot in this competitive selling venue. The Freight House Farmers market is open from Wednesday 4-8, Saturday 8-1, and Sunday 10-2. Most of the traffic from both vendors and individuals takes place on Saturday. If you are looking to find the most vendors for produce, fresh made food, or craft items, Saturday is your best option to make the trek out there. Once you are there, there is a large variety of different tents to look through. I highly recommend bringing either a wagon or recyclable grocery bags for your food items as it can get out of hand quickly (literally.) In addition to this, make sure to shop around at the different tents and compare produce prices. I have often found myself purchasing the first bundle of peppers and onions I see, to then find out the tent right next to it is $1 cheaper. Get some extra steps in for yourself, make a couple rounds, and purchase your items right before you plan on leaving.

If the weather is already nice out when you are shopping, this is a great time to talk a walk or bike ride along the river to enjoy the fresh air, spend some time exercising with your family, and compliment the healthy food you just purchased nicely. The summer weather, and opening of the farmers market can be a great incentive into not only eating healthier, but also getting some more physical activity in as well. Take advantage of this time, because we will be complaining about the winter again, before we know it!

From everyone at All Strong Fitness, we hope you have a wonderful start to the summer, enjoying fresh produce from local vendors, and getting in some long walks to pair with your nutritious foods. Try out some new recipes with the food that is in season and partake in the community becoming happier, and healthier.

See you there!

Logan Anderson is the owner of All Strong Fitness LLC. For more information, please visit allstrongfitness.org.