This Week at The Market: Kick Off National Farmers' Market Week!
As National Farmers' Market Week gets rolling Aug. 2-8, 2026, the Downtown Farmers' Market presented by UnityPoint Health is gearing up for some extra on-site programming to kick things off on Saturday, Aug. 1. Don't miss fun activities at the Market Information booth where you can take part in Market contests and win fun prizes! The Market Team, Board Members from the Iowa Farmers Market Association and other Market Partners will kick off the morning by ringing the Opening Bell at 7 a.m. at the corner of 3rd Street and Court Avenue in Downtown Des Moines (DSM).
Schedule Highlights
What National Farmers' Market Week activities can you expect this weekend? Take a peek at what's in store below:
- Market-themed trivia with a spinning wheel
- Market bucket lists
- Contest: Vote for your favorite Market produce
- Write a letter to a Market vendor
- Win Market-themed prizes like stickers, posters, tattoos, mugs, etc.
- and the chance to share your favorite thing about The Market in a Market video!
You'll also enjoy live entertainment from Robert Yeltman Music, LaRon Rocks and more. Additionally, the Community Corner is packed with learning opportunities and resources from Vero Health Center, Annie's Foundation, Hopeful Mama and Iowa Wild.
A full list of programming is available here.
Vendors to Visit
See the complete list of Market vendors for Aug. 1 here, or check out seven recommended vendor booths for this week in the list below:
- 3 Sisters Greenhouse: This Idaho nursery specializes in plants, holistic herbs and seeds. Check out booth 4N-08 for organic greenhouse goods.
- Ardon Creek: Booth 4S-31 is where you'll find bottles of quality wine from a business built on five generations of Irish heritage. If you enjoy your bottle(s) from The Market, consider attending an upcoming event at the vineyard in Letts, including Music in the Vineyard for live music and food and outdoor dancing.
- Bee ANCHORED: In southwest Iowa, the first-generation beekeepers at Bee ANCHORED are creating the finest honey products from their bee hives, including creamed honey, honey sticks and more. Stop by booth 4S-06 to fill your Market bag this Saturday.
- Feral Flavors: Custom batches of sauce are a Feral Flavors specialty! Check out this roasted garlic lime cilantro jalapeno sauce or stop by booth 4S-48 to see all the flavors!
- Hinterland Dairy: Fresh cheeses and aged cheddars from family-owned Hinterland Dairy are available at booth 3S-05. And don't miss the upcoming Root Beer Float Weekend at the farm in Donnellson coming up Aug. 8-9!
- Jack'd On the Rocks: What better way to celebrate National Farmers' Market Week than with a local brand with cocktail syrups in flavors like Blueberry Lavender, Pineapple Jalapeño, Strawberry Basil and Peach Rosemary? Get ready to create your own delicious cocktails. Visit booth 3N-08 to elevate your future drinks.
- Joe Dunn Farms: Purchase sweet corn grown at a Carlisle farm ... just visit booths 4S-19 and 4S-21. You can find three ears for $3, six ears for $5 and 12 ears for $9 — and it looks good!
And don't forget to stop by this week's Spark DSM vendors, including HT Healthy Cakes, Thrive in Nature, Women of the World and Cozy, Pls.
Plan Your Visit
Through Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, The Market is open 7 a.m. to Noon (8 a.m. to Noon in October) every Saturday in Downtown DSM's Historic Court District. Download The Market's overview map and find out more about visiting The Market here.
This Saturday, weather will be in the low 60s at 7 a.m., and mid-70s by Noon as The Market wraps up. See the latest news, tips and photos that will have you heading Downtown on The Market's Facebook page!
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