MOLINE, Ill. — Summer is just around the corner, meaning farmers markets are starting to ramp up. Here's where you can find fresh produce, homemade food, crafts and so much more around the Quad Cities area.
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The Freight House Farmers Market along Davenport's riverfront starts Saturday, May 4. It features craft booths, local produce, flowers, baked goods, food trucks and preserved foods. While the indoor part of the market is open year-round, vendors and farmers across the region will pour into its outdoor space during the summer. The market also accepts SNAP and EBT.
Hours: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (indoor market open until 2 p.m.) and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: 421 W River Dr., Davenport
Mercado on Fifth is nestled near downtown Moline and has become a summer staple for the Quad Cities community. The market celebrates Latino culture and businesses in the area — featuring food, crafts and live music alongside resources for minority-owned businesses and education.
It takes place every Friday starting May 24. Mercado began charging a cover fee of $5 last year that gives attendees access to all the festivities, including over 40 vendors.
Hours: Fridays from May 24 to Sept. 27, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: 5th Ave. and 12th St., Moline
The QC Farmers Market is "a cooperative of farmers and food producers local to the Quad Cities area," the website reads. The market sets high standards for its vendors to ensure people are "buying directly from the producer" and that "all products are homegrown and handmade, without exception."
In addition to a weekly produce market, QC Farmers Market offers online ordering with in-person pickup at Schwiebert Park during set hours. The market accepts SNAP in a "Link UP Illinois" program. For every SNAP dollar spent at the market, recipients will be given a token worth $1 to spend at the market.
Hours: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon
Location: Schwiebert Park, 101 17th St., Rock Island
The Mississippi Valley Growers Association market offers fresh produce, baked and prepared goods and handmade crafts. It takes place multiple days of the week in Bettendorf and Davenport until October. The first market of the season was on May 1.
Hours: Mondays and Thursdays, 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Bettendorf; Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon in Davenport
Location: 2850 18th St. in Bettendorf and NorthPark Mall east entrance at 320 W Kimberly Rd. in Davenport
This market hosts a wide variety of vendors each week. They include produce, food trucks, baked goods, prepared foods, crafts, décor and more. The market opens on Thursday, May 16 and runs through October.
Hours: Thursdays, 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location: East side of Lincoln Park, 5th Ave. and 10th St., DeWitt
The Geneseo Farmers Market hosts vendors with fresh produce, baked and prepared goods, agricultural products, crafts and art. The market also extends into the winter in an indoor location. The summer market starts the first Saturday in June, which is June 1 for this year.
Hours: Saturdays, 8 a.m. - noon.
Location: Summer: Geneseo City Park, Pearl St., Geneseo / Winter: Geneseo Moose, 1025 South State St., Geneseo
The Muscatine Area Farmers Market opens for the season on Saturday, May 4, and runs until October. Find numerous local fresh produce, crafts, food, art and more.
Hours: Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Corner of 3rd St. and Cedar St., Muscatine
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