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Downtown Winter Farmers' Market is this Friday and Saturday

Downtown Winter Farmers' Market

November 15, 2018

GREATER DES MOINES, IA (Nov. 13, 2018) — With Thanksgiving around the corner, the Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market presented by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines will be held this week. 

The Winter Market will take place on Friday, Nov. 16 and Saturday, Nov. 17 and again on Friday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 15 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. each day indoors at Capital Square at 400 Locust St. in Downtown DSM.

“We’re looking forward to kicking off the holiday season with the indoor Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market this weekend,” said Downtown Farmers’ Market Director Kelly Foss. “With a choice from 130 Iowa vendors selling a variety of products, it promises to offer the ideal opportunity to stock up for holiday meals, parties and gift giving while supporting local businesses.”

Shoppers can expect to find a variety of locally raised meats including duck, turkey and holiday hams, and a variety of late season and greenhouse produce. There will also be an abundance of fresh handmade products including locally produced honey, jams, salsa, wine, cheese, noodles, breads, pies and cinnamon rolls. In addition, poinsettias, fresh cut Christmas trees, wreaths, handmade holiday ornaments and home decorations will be available.

2018 Meals from The Market Program

The Downtown Farmers’ Market has also announced that its Meals from The Market Program, which is sponsored by Great Western Bank, donated 34,082 pounds of food with an estimated value of $119,285 during the outdoor Market season from May through October. This equates to an estimated 34,082 meals being donated to Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) pantries, where food contributions are donated to 13 food pantry sites. Produce and farm fresh food from The Market was donated by vendors and patrons.

The Downtown Farmers’ Market began in 1976 with just 15 vendors and an average of 200 shoppers. Today, The Market supports nearly 300 vendors and welcomes an average of 25,000 visitors each Saturday. An estimated 40,000 shoppers typically visit on Opening Day and key peak dates throughout the season. The Downtown Farmers’ Market has been recognized nationally by publications including The Daily Meal, Shape Magazine, Midwest Living Magazine and Country Living Magazine.

Produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the Downtown Farmers’ Market and Winter Market are free and open to the public.

Find more information at desmoinesfarmersmarket.com.

About the Downtown Farmers’ Market

The Downtown Farmers’ Market is presented by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines and produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership. 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 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,100 Regional Business Members and more than 340 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.