Fresh finds
6/3/2026Longer days and warmer nights can only mean one thing — farmers market season is back. With fresh-picked produce, handcrafted goods and sweet treats, the market is a weekly gathering place for both vendors and visitors.
Jacob Gomke
Homemade flavors and big dreams
Jacob Gomke loves ice cream. When he was 5 years old, he and his family were visiting Billy’s Ice Cream Store in Adel when he asked why they didn’t have a Captain America flavor.
“Captain America was his favorite character,” his mother, Jess Gomke, says. “My husband told him that he should come up with a Captain America flavor. Jacob took him literally and seriously and did just that.”
Jacob asked if he could sell his new ice cream flavor at the Adel Farmers Market.
“I started to talk to my parents about it the summer before I went into kindergarten but waited until the summer before I went into first grade to start setting up a booth and selling my homemade ice cream at the farmers market,” he says. “The first summer, I offered my Captain America homemade ice cream, which is a blueberry and raspberry combination, by the scoop. This got my business started and is still the most popular flavor my customers ask for. I started with Captain America because I am a big fan of his, and I could only find Superman ice cream at Billy’s, which I still love going to.”
Source: Adel Living, May 2026; by Rachel Harrington
Autumn Wolter
“Dabbling” in breads and sweets
Autumn Wolter has been baking since she was a little girl in the kitchen with her mom.
“About five years ago, I started dabbling in bread-making as a way to pass the time in college. Not long after, I inherited a sourdough starter, and the rest is history. From there, I began experimenting with and perfecting a variety of breads and sweets.”
In January 2024, Wolter decided to take the leap and begin selling her products. Becoming a vendor was the next step in growing her business and expanding her reach.
Wolter likes that people come to markets specifically to shop local and support small businesses, creating a special environment for both vendors and customers. She had visited the Johnston Farmers Market before and enjoyed the atmosphere. After researching other markets, she decided Johnston was the perfect fit, especially since it is the community where she is based.
“Being a vendor at the Johnston Farmers Market is truly special. Many of the same customers come back week after week, which allows me to build genuine connections. The market is the perfect size — not so large that I can’t spend time talking with people, but busy enough to have a great turnout and steady support.”
Source: Johnston Living, May 2026; by Ashley Rullestad
Joyce Fisher
Fisher’s Flowers and Produce
Joyce Fisher has sold at the Valley Junction and Ames Main Street farmers markets for eight years.
At Fisher’s Flowers and Produce, she offers bedding plants, herbs and cut flowers. During harvest season, she sells asparagus, green beans, tomatoes, peppers and other produce. Her tomato seedlings include Cherokee Purple and Brandywine varieties.
Cut flowers, including zinnias and sunflowers, are available in mid-June.
Their produce is grown organically.
“We’d like to be certified organic, but it’s a lot of paperwork and government regulations,” she says. “Our farming practices are as natural as possible.”
Fisher first “dabbled” in markets years ago while raising her children. After retiring, she returned to selling. Her husband, Jody, also retired and now helps; he is a beekeeper and sells honey.
“We’ve made so many friends over the years,” she says. “We provide good, wholesome food. We love people who come back year after year.”
Source: West Des Moines/Jordan Creek Living, May 2026; by Jackie Wilson
Jennifer Callahan
Freshly popped
As a fan of fresh kettle corn, Jennifer Callahan was searching for the ideal popped crunch. She eventually perfected it through her Callie (short for Callahan) Corn popcorn business.
Callahan purchased the business from the owners of Pop Pop’s Kettle Corn, John and Mary Claire, in 2023.
“They taught us how to make the kettle corn,” Callahan says. “We want to stay true to the same recipe.”
Initially, Jennifer and her husband, Ken, did not plan to make popcorn full time. Instead, they planned to retire first, but the opportunity came earlier than expected. The business is veteran-owned. Their son, Zach, a veteran, is co-owner. Their other sons, Christian and Logan — a veteran and an active servicemember — also help.
The kettle corn is a mix of butterfly and mushroom popcorn. It has just four ingredients: corn, corn oil, sugar and salt. The signature flavor comes from the balance of sugar and salt.
“We really worked hard to get it perfect,” Callahan says. “It sells because of the flavor.”
They purchase popcorn locally from central Iowa farmers. They cook in small batches at markets and adjust quantities as needed. n
Source: Waukee Living, May 2026;
by Jackie Wilson
