Why the Des Moines Farmers’ Market is the Place to Be!

Picture this: It’s a sunny Saturday morning in downtown Des Moines. The air is filled with the scent of sizzling bacon, freshly baked pastries, and just-picked strawberries. Laughter and live music drift through the streets as crowds weave between stalls, sipping locally roasted coffee and nibbling on artisanal treats.

Welcome to the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market—a beloved Iowa tradition that’s been bringing the freshest flavors, friendliest faces, and best small-town-meets-big-city vibes for 50 glorious years!

From Humble Beginnings to a 12-Block Festival

Back in 1976, this market started as a modest gathering of 15 vendors in a parking lot. Fast-forward to today, and it’s a full-blown phenomenon, sprawling across 12 city blocks with 300+ vendors and drawing 28,000+ shoppers every week from May to October. That’s a lot of kale, kolaches, and kind-hearted haggling over heirloom tomatoes!

---

What Makes This Market a Must-Visit?

1. Farm-Fresh Goodness (AKA The Real MVP)

Forget grocery store produce that’s been on a cross-country road trip—here, you’re getting straight-from-the-farm freshness. Vendors like Bridgewater Farms and CARINARA – the Humbl Roots serve up organic, healthy options that make your taste buds (and your conscience) happy.

2. The OG Vendors You Know & Love

Some vendors have been slinging their goods here since the disco era—like Thill’s Produce, a 50-season veteran! Then there’s Mast Family Farms, Sisters By Heart, and Iowa Coffee Company, whose loyal fans would riot if they ever missed a Saturday. (Okay, maybe not riot… but there’d definitely be some very sad coffee drinkers.)

3. More Than Just Veggies (Though the Veggies Are Amazing)

This market is a one-stop shop for all things delicious and delightful:

• Fresh flowers that make your kitchen table Insta-worthy
• Homemade jams, salsas, and honey that put store-bought to shame
• Handcrafted goods because who doesn’t need a cute wooden cutting board or a funky pottery mug?
• Food trucks & stands serving up breakfast burritos, crepes, and other carb-loaded happiness

4. The Vibes. Oh, the Vibes.

Live music? Check.
Kids dancing near the fountain? Check.
Running into half the people you know while holding a giant cinnamon roll? Double check.

This isn’t just a market—it’s a weekly community party where strangers become friends over shared love for the perfect peach or the crispiest bacon.

---

Why You Gotta Go!

Whether you’re a farmers’ market fanatic or a first-timer, the Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market is a must-experience Iowa gem. It’s fresh, it’s fun, and after 50 years, it’s still getting better with age—kind of like a fine wine (which, hey, maybe you can find at one of the vendor stalls too).

So grab your reusable bags, bring your appetite, and join the celebration!

📍 Where? Downtown Des Moines (check the official site for maps & details)
📅 When? Saturdays, May – October
⏰ Time? 7 AM – Noon (early birds get the best pastries!)

See you at The Market—don’t forget to try the apple cider donuts! 🍎🍩

---

What’s your favorite Farmers’ Market find? Drop it in the comments! 👇 #DSMFarmersMarket #IowaFresh