Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market Expands Vendors

The Downtown Farmers’ Market in Des Moines is starting to look a little more like years past. Beginning Memorial Day weekend, the market will increase in size to about 75% of the normal number of vendors pre-pandemic. This will be an increase in vendors from 115 to 165 on-side market vendors.

Des Moines Downtown Farmers' MarketImage Courtesy of Downtown Farmers' Market

Farmers’ Market fans from around the metro will be excited to see an expanded event starting May 29th in downtown Des Moines.

The Downtown Farmers’ Market returned for its 2021 season reduced in size, but will be increasing the number of vendors starting next weekend. The Market takes place each Saturday through the end of October in the center of Downtown Des Moines’ (DSM's) Historic Court District.

With this increase, the Farmers’ Market is welcoming back many of the prepared food and local artist vendors. There will also be the addition of two limited seating and eating areas for the market. One will be in the courtyard located at 100 Court Ave. and another on Court Avenue near Fifth Street.

Entertainment will also be available and the Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market will host three-to-four entertainment groups to perform in open areas. Family and children’s activities will also be phased in throughout the summer.

The weekly Des Moines area event will continue to focus on providing fresh produce, meat, cheese, eggs, baked goods, plants, flowers and artisan packaged food, handmade art and ready-to-eat prepared food to the community in a safe way. Some of the new vendors being added will be offering handmade art, health and beauty items as well as ready-to-eat prepared foods.

“Safety continues to remain a top priority, and this represents an intermediate step between our scaled-back approach to begin the season and where we all hope to get to with a full, bustling market,” said Kelly Foss, Director of The Market in a statement. “We are so excited to welcome back even more vendors for the holiday weekend as well as elements that will safely make The Market feel even more like the event we remember.”

For this weekend’s market before Memorial Day Weekend, the Downtown Farmers’ Market will continue to allow for an extra booth-length distance between participating vendors.

The Market continues to encourage attendees to adhere to the 6-feet social distancing guideline while shopping at The Market. The metro area event will follow COVID-19 regulations and guidelines. Per the latest CDC guidelines, masks will be voluntary for Downtown Farmers' Market attendees.

Additionally, those who have had a fever in the last three days, been ill or are visibly showing signs of illness such as coughing or sneezing are highly encouraged to not attend The Market.

Hand sanitizer stations will continue to be available throughout The Market. Customer walking traffic will also be limited to one-way paths to ensure a safe streamlined shopping process.

For making purchases at the Downtown Farmers’ Market, cash is accepted by all vendors. The Market does encourage all patrons to consider using touchless or card payments for their purchases when possible.

The Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market will be open every Saturday until Oct. 30th, The Market’s hours are 8 a.m. – Noon, with hours from 7 a.m. – Noon; in October only. The Market is located in the Historic Court District in Downtown Des Moines (DSM). Both free and paid parking is available. There is also a free bike valet service and attenees can also park along the Downtown Farmers' Market DART D-Line route.

Find more information on this event including the updated list of vendors later this week, visit the Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ market website at desmoinesfarmersmarket.com. Current FAQ’s regarding this event and current COVID-19 procedures can be found here.

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