August 12, 2026
By: Greater Des Moines Partnership
What's in Season? Eat Fresh & Local in DSM: August Edition
August is peak harvest season in Greater Des Moines (DSM), with farm stands, farmers’ markets and local menus overflowing with some of DSM’s favorite summer flavors. Sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe and peppers are at their prime, while blackberries, peaches and plenty of other fresh produce round out the month. Whether you’re picking berries, tracking down sweet corn, trying a seasonal menu or enjoying a farm-to-table dinner with friends, here’s your guide to eating seasonal in DSM this August.
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Grade A Gardens in Earlham
Eat Local: Seasonal Foods in Des Moines This August
Aronia Berries
Native to North America and grown throughout DSM and across Iowa, aronia berries ripen in late summer and bring a distinct tart flavor to juices, jams, baked goods and other locally made products.
Blackberries
Juicy blackberries reach their peak in late summer, with you-pick opportunities and berry-inspired drinks, pastries and desserts popping up across the region.
Blueberries
Catch the last of blueberry season in early August, with fresh berries still available at select local farms and farmers’ markets and blueberry flavors popping up in baked goods, drinks and sweet treats.
Cauliflower
Versatile and in season, cauliflower appears roasted, fried and featured in a variety of seasonal dishes throughout DSM.
Cucumbers
Cool, crisp cucumbers continue into August and are easy to find at local farms, farmers’ markets and in fresh summer dishes.
Eggplant
Eggplant hits its stride during the warmest part of summer, bringing another fresh-from-the-farm option to markets, farm stands and seasonal dishes.
Green Beans
One of DSM’s classic summer vegetables, green beans are at their peak in August and are easy to find throughout the region.
Onions
Fresh onions are plentiful in late summer and add locally grown flavor to everything from farm-fresh meals to seasonal restaurant menus.
Peaches
Sweet, juicy peaches are a late-summer favorite, inspiring everything from pies and pastries to ice cream, drinks and seasonal desserts.
Peppers
Bell peppers, jalapeños and other varieties thrive during the heat of summer, bringing plenty of color, crunch and, depending on the variety, spice to farm stands and local menus.
Radishes
Fresh radishes add a crisp, peppery bite to late-summer produce selections and seasonal salads throughout the region.
Sweet Corn
Few foods say Iowa summer quite like fresh sweet corn. August is prime time to find it at farm stands, farmers’ markets, local restaurants and roadside stops across DSM.
Tomatoes
August is prime tomato season, with locally grown varieties appearing everywhere from farmers’ market stands to sandwiches, salads and seasonal restaurant dishes.
Watermelon + Cantaloupe
Peak melon season brings plenty of juicy cantaloupe and watermelon to farm stands and farmers’ markets, along with refreshing melon-inspired drinks and frozen treats.
Zucchini + Summer Squash
Zucchini and summer squash continue to be plentiful in August, filling farmers’ markets and farm stands across DSM. Whether grilled, roasted, sautéed or baked into breads and desserts, these versatile vegetables make it easy to enjoy the late-summer harvest.
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Dan D Farms in Knoxville
Visit in August: Fresh-Picked and You-Pick Farms Near Des Moines
Dan-D Farms
Knoxville | 1978 112th Pl. Sweet corn season is a summer tradition at Dan-D Farms. Fresh-picked corn is available as each new patch reaches its peak, so be sure to check the farm’s
Facebook page for the latest harvest updates before making the trip.
LEARN MOREEdge of the Woods Farm
Indianola | 15285 Fairfax St. Blackberry picking has arrived at Edge of the Woods Farm, while blueberry picking continues during the first few weeks of August. Head to the farm to fill your own containers with some of late summer’s freshest berries.
LEARN MOREUpstream Gardens
Altoona | 5987 NE 88th St. Summer harvest is in full swing at Upstream Gardens, where visitors can pick their own blackberries and shop an abundance of fresh produce. Depending on availability, look for cucumbers, eggplant, green beans, tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, bell peppers, hot wax peppers and jalapeños straight from the farm.
LEARN MOREWilson’s Ciderhouse & Farm
Cumming | 3201 15th Ave. Picking season at Wilson’s Farm may be over, but there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the flavors of the farm. Look for seasonal finds like Blueberry Preserves, Jalapeño Pepper Jelly, Peach Butter, Peach Amaretto Preserves, Peach Blueberry Preserves and Peach Hard Cider, or satisfy your sweet tooth with a Blueberry Pie, Blueberry Turnover or Peach Pie.
LEARN MOREWhere to Find Seasonal Drinks in Des Moines
Baristas Bouquet
West Des Moines | 5938 Ashworth Rd.
Urbandale | 3837 121st St. Looking for something with a kick? Baristas Bouquet is serving up a Jalapeño Latte on its summer specialty menu, featuring fresh jalapeño flavor in your choice of a hot or iced latte.
LEARN MOREFenders Brewing
Polk City | 212 W. Van Dorn St. Cool off with a limited-release Watermelon Lime Lager at Fenders Brewing. The fruity summer beer drops Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, as part of the brewery’s rotating Friday flavors, so get it while it’s available.
LEARN MORELightbrite Coffee Roasters
Grimes | 1895 SE Grimes Blvd., Suite 104
Urbandale | 3837 121st St. Watermelon gets a matcha twist with the Melly Dew Matcha, made with iced mint tea and house-made watermelon syrup shaken with premium matcha and ice for a refreshing summer drink.
LEARN MOREReclaimed Rails Brewing Company
Bondurant | 101 Main St. SE Taste a little Iowa State Fair season with How Gose It?, a fruited gose loaded with watermelon and a touch of sea salt. The limited release was crafted as one of this year’s Iowa State Fair exclusive beers, so grab a pour while it lasts.
LEARN MORERuthie’s Coffee House
Stuart | 101 NW 2nd St. Hold onto summer a little longer with Maren’s Watermelon Wave Lotus drink at Ruthie’s Coffee House, a refreshing seasonal sip inspired by one of August’s signature fruits.
LEARN MOREVivarium Coffee
Montezuma | 309 E. Main St. Late-summer fruits are all over the menu at Vivarium Coffee. Try a Peaches and Cream Iced Coffee or the Berry Burst Lotus featuring blackberry, huckleberry and lime. Seasonal pastries rotate regularly, with flavors like Pineapple Blackberry Tart, Blackberry Peach Tart and Watermelon Lime Tart adding even more summer flavor.
LEARN MOREWinterset Cidery
Winterset | 1638 Highway 169 Celebrate berry season with hard ciders like Blackberry, Blueberry and Cherry-Vanilla, three refreshing seasonal pours perfect for warm summer evenings.
LEARN MORE
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Savor the Rise in Indianola
Find Seasonal Desserts in Des Moines This August
Cranberry Stone Bakery
Pella | 605 Franklin St. Late-summer fruit flavors are making their way into the bakery case at Cranberry Stone Bakery with cupcakes like Blackberry Lemon and Lemon Blueberry. Check the rotating selection for even more fruit-inspired flavors throughout the month.
LEARN MOREGrin City Bakery
Grinnell | 934 Main St. Seasonal fruit flavors are front and center with blueberry and cherry old-fashioned cake donuts, raspberry jam Bismarks and Blueberry Lemon Cookies.
LEARN MOREOver the Top
Pleasant Hill | 955 NE 56th St. Iowa sweet corn gets an unexpected twist at Over the Top with Iowa Sweet Corn Ice Cream. Made with real Iowa sweet corn, the creamy flavor combines sweet, buttery and slightly salty notes for a scoop that tastes distinctly like an Iowa summer.
LEARN MORESavor the Rise
Indianola | 107 E Salem Ave. Summer fruit takes center stage at Savor the Rise with pastries featuring blackberries, mixed berries, lemon and other seasonal flavors. If you’re not feeling the sweet treat vibe, look for savory pastries filled with fresh summer vegetables like tomatoes, onions, sweet corn, red bell peppers and jalapeños.
LEARN MOREThe Stuart Scoop
Stuart | 117 NE 2nd St. Keep summer sweet with flavors like Door County Cherry, Blueberry Waffle Cone and Raspberry Sorbet, or cool off with a refreshing Blueberry Shake.
LEARN MOREThe Toasted Cone
Waukee | 9500 University Ave., Suite 2105 Summer flavors are taking over the menu with ice cream favorites like Blueberry Cheesecake, Raspberry Rhapsody and Black Cherry Oat, plus refreshing Italian ice flavors including Electric Watermelon and Raspberry Lemon. Be sure to check the rotating menu for the latest seasonal scoops and frozen treats.
LEARN MORE
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Flora in Downtown Des Moines
Restaurants with Seasonal Menus in Des Moines
Benolas Bar
Baxter | 108 N. Main St. Seasonal produce gets the spotlight with Cheddar Cauliflower Bites, a fun way to enjoy one of August’s featured vegetables.
LEARN MOREFlora
Des Moines | 909 Robert D. Ray Dr. Fresh vegetables feel right at home at Flora inside the
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. The Flora Salad combines local salad greens with watermelon radish, beets, cauliflower, carrots, hummus, poached egg and Catalina French dressing, while the Green Salad pairs local greens with seasonal vegetables, local cheese and balsamic dressing.
LEARN MOREFresko
Des Moines | 909 Locust St. Fresh summer vegetables shine in Fresko’s Garden Skillet, featuring tomatoes, squash, mushrooms, spinach, potatoes, spicy salsa, jack cheese, eggs your way and micro cilantro.
LEARN MOREFull Bloom Brewhouse
Oskaloosa | 1718 Pella Ave. Spicy summer flavors continue with Bacon Jalapeño Popper Dip and the Bacon Jalapeño Popper Frank, highlighting fresh jalapeños in creative ways.
LEARN MORELiberty Street Kitchen
Pella | 705 E. 1st St. Iowa sweet corn takes center stage in Liberty Street Kitchen’s Iowa Corn Chowder, featuring sweet corn, crispy bacon, lemon and fresh herbs for a comforting taste of one of the DSM’s most iconic summer crops.
LEARN MOREWilson’s Ciderhouse
Cumming | 3201 15th Ave. Peak summer produce is showing up throughout the menu at Wilson’s Ciderhouse. Try the Summer Risotto with grilled corn, zucchini and squash, the Berry Beet Salad with seasonal berries and local beets, or the Tomato Time Sandwich featuring marinated local tomatoes, house-smoked bacon and roasted tomato aioli on tomato brioche.
LEARN MORE
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Grade A Gardens in Earlham
Seasonal Events Happening in August in Des Moines
Grade A Gardens Dinner on the Farm
Earlham | 34802 I Ave. Experience the flavors of Iowa on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, during Dinner on the Farm with Chef Andrew Hoffmann of Hoffmann Farm and Forage. The professional chef, farmer and wild forager creates seasonal menus featuring locally grown produce, wild edibles, foraged mushrooms and other sustainably sourced local ingredients for a true taste of the season.
LEARN MORERose Farm Farm-to-Table Dinner
Norwalk | 7197 43rd Ave. Gather around the table at Rose Farm on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, for a five-course farm-to-table dinner celebrating the best of DSM’s growing season. Chef Aaron Holt creates a locally sourced menu highlighting fresh ingredients, while guests enjoy the flower gardens, golden-hour views and relaxed atmosphere of the farm.
LEARN MORERose Farm Prairie Walk and Harvest Dinner
Norwalk | 7197 43rd Ave. Food, farming and conservation come together at Rose Farm on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, during the Prairie Walk and Harvest Dinner presented by Iowa Learning Farms. Enjoy a locally sourced seasonal menu from Chef Aaron Holt alongside a guided prairie walk and opportunities to learn about pollinators, prairie restoration, conservation and Iowa’s working landscapes.
LEARN MOREWilson’s Orchard & Farm Sturgeon Moon Dinner
Cumming | 3201 15th Ave. Celebrate a late-summer evening at Wilson’s Orchard & Farm on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, with the Sturgeon Moon Dinner, a seven-course tasting menu paired with a selection of Wilson’s hard ciders. The menu features courses like New England Clam Chowder, Crab Cake, Lobster Roll and cider-steamed clams and mussels before finishing with Boston Cream Pie paired with Mixed Berry Cider. The ticketed dinner begins at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.
LEARN MORE
And don't forget about DSM Restaurant Week taking place Aug. 7-16, 2026 across Greater Des Moines.
Check out the list of participating restaurants and their menus here.
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Downtown Farmers' Market in Des Moines
Farmers’ Markets + Local Shopping in Des Moines
Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market
Des Moines | Downtown Historic Court District
Peak harvest season has arrived at the Downtown Farmers’ Market. Stroll through vendor booths filled with sweet corn, tomatoes, melons, peppers, cucumbers, berries, summer squash and plenty of locally made foods showcasing the flavors of summer.
LEARN MORE
Grade A Gardens
Earlham | 34802 I Ave.
Find Grade A Gardens at the Downtown Farmers’ Market and fill your market bag with what’s fresh from the farm. August offerings may include garlic, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant, herbs, melons, onions, peppers, potatoes, radishes, summer squash, zucchini, tomatoes and more.
LEARN MORE
More DSM Farmers’ Markets to Explore
Various Locations Across DSM
Keep shopping the season at farmers’ markets throughout the region, including:
Each market offers its own mix of seasonal produce and locally made foods, making it easy to discover what’s fresh across DSM.
Fareway
Various Fareway Locations Across DSM
Shopping for seasonal produce? Fareway partners with local farmers and vendors to bring fresh fruits, vegetables and other locally sourced products to stores throughout the growing season. It’s another great option for finding fresh, seasonal ingredients while supporting local producers.
LEARN MORE
Seasonal eating in DSM changes month to month, which means there’s always something new to discover. Check back next month for more local flavors, fresh finds and seasonal foodie experiences across Greater Des Moines (DSM).
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