About the IWFM
The Indianapolis Winter Farmers Market provides a venue for directly connecting farmers and producers to Indianapolis area residents & visitors, enabling personal relationship in the exchange of vegetables, fruit, meat, baked goods, herbs, natural cleaning products and other locally produced food, garden and household products straight from the producer to the consumer. IWFM has 3 primary goals: to provide a venue for Indiana's sustainably-minded family farms and small-batch/artisan food producers to sell their products; to improve our community's access to local, fresh, nutritious food; and to create an environment that raises awareness of how choices we make day to day affect our health, our communities, the environment and the economy. The IWFM supports family farms, encourages sustainable farmland preservation and urban agriculture, delivers seasonal & local product to Indianapolis residents, and raises awareness of social & environmental considerations related to food. The IWFM encourages local entrepreneurship, a growing food culture, social & environmental consciousness, and educational exchange toward the improvement of quality-of-life & quality-of-experience for Indianapolis residents & visitors.
LOCATION, HOURS & PARKING
West Wing of the Indianapolis City Market,
222 E Market St
Indianapolis, IN 46204 Saturdays 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
November 12, 2011 - April 21, 2012
(Closed December 24th and 31st)
Free lots - 2 lots will be available for free parking. These lots are usually paid parking, but on Saturdays the arms will be raised. These lots will not be marked as IWFM Parking, but a sign will be placed at the entrance that reads "Park at your Own Risk." During the first weeks of the market, we will have a volunteer standing at the entrance to let you know which lots to park in. These 3 lots will be open:
- The northeast corner of Alabama St. and Market St. (directly across from the Indy Bike Hub sign)
- The southwest corner of New York and Alabama Sts. This lot is directly north of the old central library/Indiana state museum. During the week, it is an honor lot, but is offered graciously as free parking to IWFM customers on Saturdays.
- Metered parking is also available on Delaware St, Market St, Wabash St, and Alabama St.
Free bike parking is available outside the market near both the West and the East Wings. You may also park your bicycle inside the brand new Bike Hub for $1 an hour, or $5 a day.
Bus Lines 2, 5, 8, 17, 19, and 21 make stops within walking distance of the City Market on Saturdays.
E-NEWSLETTER
The best way to stay up to date with the IWFM is to sign up for our seasonal weekly e-newsletter. Find out which vendors will be participating each week and learn about special events and news related to local food and sustainable living.
Another good way to stay in touch and interact with the Market community is to become a fan of the IWFM on Facebook.
FREQUENT SHOPPER CARD
Pick up a frequent shopper card the next time you are at the Market for your chance to win a $50 market goods bag! Every time you frequent the IWFM, receive a date on your card at the Market Information Table. Completed cards (12 marks) will be entered in a raffle to win. Visit us every week of the season and we'll enter your name twice in appreciation of your loyalty and support.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The IWFM needs YOU! If you are interested in volunteering at the Market and/or representing it at local community events, please visit the Volunteer Spot to sign up (it's more like play than work!). If you have other skills that you feel would contribute to the endeavor (e.g. photography, marketing, media, etc.), please contact manager@indywinterfarmersmarket.org with your ideas. Not only are you providing valuable services for a great local cause, but you'll have lots of fun and meet many interesting and like-minded people in the process.
We also are having a Volunteer Challenge! The neighborhood or local business/organization that brings in the most volunteers over the course of the season will win $100 worth of veggie seeds and starts for their community! Stop by and sign in at the Market Info booth for more information.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
If you and/or your organization is interested in sponsoring the IWFM, please contact info@indywinterfarmersmarket.org. Take the opportunity to reach our dedicated customer base in order to promote your sustainable and responsible business endeavors, while supporting a truly impactful local cause.
ELECTRONIC BENEFITS TRANSFER
The IWFM will be accepting EBT beginning November 12, 2011. Stop by the Market Info booth to swipe your Hoosier Works card and receive Eat Well Bucks vouchers to purchase EBT-eligible products. Eligible products include any food or food product intended for human consumption except alcoholic beverages, tobacco, hot foods, and hot food products for immediate consumption. You may also purchase seeds and plants to grow foods for individual consumption. Almost all of our vendors qualify for this program. Information on which vendors accept Eat Well Bucks.
WASTE FREE ZONE
The IWFM was founded in 2008 on the concepts of sustainable consumption and conscious living. Please help us make the Market a waste free zone by bringing your own reusable shopping bags and by utilizing the recycling provided.
IWFM asks that all market visitors utilize the bins provided by RecycleForce for any recyclable materials.
Please dispose any recyclable material including steel and aluminum food and beverage cans, glass, #1 and #2 plastics (no plastic shopping bags please!), newspapers and magazines, in the recycling bins. We appreciate your attention and action in helping the IWFM minimize its carbon footprint. If you have any questions about the Market's recycyling efforts, please visit the Market Information Table at the entrance.
Additionally, please return empty egg cartons and jars to the vendor(s) who sold them to you, to help minimize waste and unnecessary expenses. Some vendors even offer a discount when your return used jars!