The Taste Of Summer Found Every Day

Sawyer (front) and Renee VanDee of Deep River makes a stop by Greg Grubbs produce stand along A Ave West

Oskaloosa, Iowa- You see it nearly every day as you travel along A Ave on the West side of Oskaloosa. Greg Grubb has been selling fresh veggies and fruit to Oskaloosa residents. This is his 3rd year at his current location in front of Earl May. Grubb has recently added a second location in the parking lot in front of Slumberland Furniture on the East side of Oskaloosa.

When asked what helps make them a success, Grubb said “We got good produce, and return business. You have to have return business.”

Grubb had been growing and selling at the local Farmers Market before he started this stand. He spent 10 years selling at the Farmers Market before deciding to make the leap and sell his produce every day. Grubb will still go to the Farmers Market, but he figures it will be later in the season when they will make their appearance there.

Oskalooa's Farmers Market is a twice a week treat for those looking for the freshest produce

“I done this years ago with my brother, we use to grow sweet corn,” Grubb says about his initial start into the produce business. His other job gave him access to produce managers around the area. With that connection, he and his brother would haul pickup loads of corn to the various stores at night. Grubb got married, and life took him another direction for some time. But with those changes came others, and with college for his kids looming, and a recent divorce, Grubb needed to make some extra money to help with that expense. “Both kids got good degrees, got good jobs, so now it’s time for dad to make money.” Grubb continued,”I enjoy the people, and I enjoy doing this [selling produce], you gotta enjoy this, this is hard work.”

Farmers Market can be found on the East side of the square starting at 4 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons and also on Saturdays, starting at 8 a.m. in the parking lot South of Hy-Vee.