Programs

It’s not just about buying fresh vegetables and fruit at the Market each Saturday. It’s about learning, interacting and enjoying yourself. The Market provides many different programs each Saturday to enhance your experience at the Market.

Buy Fresh Buy Local

The Downtown Farmers’ Market is committed to supporting Iowa growers, that’s why we’ve partnered with the Buy Fresh Buy Local Campaign. For 35 years the Downtown Farmers’ Market has been a major direct marketing source for hundreds of Iowa growers and family farms around the state that raise locally produced meat & poultry, cheese, eggs, honey, produce, wine, flowers and other specialty crops. By signing the BFBL pledge, market patrons will help ensure that family farms around the state will continue to thrive for generations to come.

You are invited to stop by the Buy Fresh Buy Local booth to take the pledge, and to get your 2010 directory, which includes a listing of local farms and businesses who have partnered with Buy Fresh Buy Local to promote and sell their local product. Buy Fresh Buy Local staff will be on hand at the booth to answer any questions you might have about buying local and provide information about opportunities to meet your farmer, including farm tours, local product demonstrations and tastings, and other events.

Meals from the Market

The Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market is pleased to announce the return of the Meals from the Market program on Saturday, June 4, 2011. In its third year, Meals from the Market offers vendors and patrons an opportunity to give back to the community by providing fresh food to the homeless and hungry in central Iowa. The program is a collaborative effort between First Federal Savings Bank of Iowa, Hope Ministries, Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) and the Downtown Farmers’ Market.

Starting Saturday, June 4, the Meals from the Market program will be open to collect donations from both market vendors and patrons at a booth located at Second and Court Avenue on the north side of the street. Volunteers from First Federal of Iowa will take collections every Saturday through Oct. 29 from 8:30 a.m. – noon. After the Market, the fresh food is then taken to Hope Ministries and DMARC where the food contributions are committed to creating meals to feed the hungry in our community and is also sent to ten central Iowa emergency food pantry sites.

Last year the Meals from the Market program collected more than $55,000 in donations creating 26,511 meals for the hungry. The Market hopes to increase the collection of food donations to $75,000 an equivalent of 27,778 meals.

“We are so excited to partner again this year with the Downtown Farmers Market, DMARC and Hope Ministries in making a significant difference in fighting hunger in central Iowa. This couldn’t happen without the very generous support of the many Downtown Farmers’ Market vendors who donate their quality produce, baked goods, and dairy products week after week,” said David M. Bradley, Chairman and CEO of First Federal Savings Bank of Iowa.

Market vendors, patrons, and the entire community are invited to help with this effort. Any type of food donations will be accepted and appreciated. Because the donation is going to Hope Ministries and/or DMARC, it is tax deductible and receipts will be available upon request. Acceptable food donations include: produce, baked goods, canned goods, and prepared food – nearly everything you will find at the Market. Home gardeners and bakers who find themselves with extra are also encouraged to donate to the program. Home gardeners are encouraged to plant an extra row to donate to Meals from the Market.

Meals from the Market was created two years ago due to suggestions and requests from Market vendors who have asked Market organizers to coordinate a place to drop off food and products that didn’t sell during the Market. Kelly Foss, director of the Downtown Farmers’ Market explains, “We are proud to offer this program once again to help feed the hungry in our community. This has been a perfect outlet for our vendors who want to share their remaining fresh food at the end of the Market day. This year we hope more Market patrons and others in the community will join our efforts to help the less fortunate in our community.”

Saturday Salutes

Saturday Salute is an opportunity for local non-profit and charitable organizations to showcase and promote their local organizations, events, and neighborhood resources. The Downtown Farmers Market provides Saturday Salutes with a booth space located at our “Community Corner” at 2nd Ave. and Court Avenue.

Kids Activities

Earn Your PhB is a Pioneer Hi-Bred sponsored program that focuses on various fun agricultural activities related to biology, nature, plants, agriculture, food and farming. It offers a unique and hands-on opportunity for children to learn and interact with Pioneer Hi-Bred employees. All activities are free each Saturday during the Market and they are located at the corner of 3rd and Court Ave.