Downtown Farmers' Market to Return for 2021 Season with Scaled-Back Vendor Lineup
DOWNTOWN DES MOINES, IOWA (Feb. 18, 2021) — The Downtown Farmers’ Market announced its 2021 season will return with modifications as a limited in-person event beginning on Saturday, May 1, and is scheduled to continue each Saturday through the end of October. The scaled-back Market will focus on providing only fresh produce and farm and artisan packaged food from local vendors to the community in a safe, socially distanced way.
The Market will return to its regular location in the Historic Court District in Downtown Des Moines (DSM), and social distancing guidelines will be followed in accordance with COVID-19 regulations and guidelines. The Market anticipates about 110 vendors on-site, around half of the number at a traditional Saturday Market. An extra booth-length distance will be placed between participating vendors and attendees will be encouraged to adhere to the 6-feet social distancing guideline while shopping at The Market. Masks will be required for attendees and vendors, and hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout The Market. Customer walking traffic will also be limited to one-way paths to ensure a safe streamlined shopping process.
“The most important part of The Market is getting healthy, locally grown produce to the public in the safest way possible,” said Kelly Foss, Director of The Market. “This may not look and feel like the typical Market experience we are all used to at the beginning of the season, but we want to ensure we are providing important nutritious options to DSM residents and supporting local farmers and artisan food producers.”
To begin the season in May, only local fresh produce and farm and artisan packaged food will be present at The Market. To ensure an environment conducive to social distancing, arts and crafts and prepared food vendors will not participate on site at this time, nor will other traditional elements of The Market, including seating areas, children’s activities and live entertainment options.
Vendors who will not appear at the in-person Market will still have the opportunity to have their products available for purchase on the Downtown Farmers’ Marketplace Online. Attendees are also highly encouraged to preorder items from participating in-person vendors on The Online Marketplace to ease the transaction process at The Market.
The Downtown Farmers’ Market will continuously evaluate protocols and programming throughout the season in response to the fluctuating COVID-19 virus infection levels and vaccination rates.
Find more information at desmoinesfarmersmarket.com.
About the Downtown Farmers’ Market
The Downtown Farmers’ Market is held every Saturday morning May – October in the Historic Court District in Downtown Des Moines. The Market also produces a Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market in November and December. Find more information at desmoinesfarmersmarket.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/DowntownFarmersMarket and on Twitter and Instagram at @dtfarmersmarket.
About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 365 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.