Fraud discovered at Dubuque Farmers’ Market, token exchange offered

DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) — Dubuque Farmers’ Market organizers are asking customers to exchange wooden tokens after discovering counterfeit tokens were used at previous markets.

Small wooden tokens were used at the market as currency with all vendors to reduce any discrepancy in cash and card use. However, the token system is being suspended after $55 in counterfeit tokens were discovered.

“Last weekend, we discovered counterfeit tokens at the Dubuque Farmers’ Market as we are going to be retiring the token system over the next few weeks,” said David Barba, executive director of Dubuque Main Street, which operates the Dubuque Farmers’ Market.

The market is halting all sales of the tokens immediately, offering to replace any previously purchased tokens at its May 23 market.

“[We] will be asking all customers to exchange their wooden tokens for temporary plastic yellow tokens as we work with our sponsors to provide a more permanent alternative,” said Barba.

The market is working with DuTrac Community Credit Union to offer a mobile ATM at the May 23 market while Farm Bureau Financial Services is helping develop a more permanent solution.

“The community really stepped up in such short notice to protect the integrity of our market. We couldn’t do it without their support,” said Barba.

Iowa’s oldest farmers’ market runs every Saturday morning from 7 a.m. to noon May through September and from 8 a.m. to noon in October.