Exploring Greater Des Moines' Access to Locally Produced Food

In 2025, I made it a priority to explore the different options for buying fresh local produce and locally made foods in Greater Des Moines (DSM). In past years, I had frequented the Downtown Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings as well as the Valley Junction Farmers' Market on Thursday evenings, but I was curious to see how I could support local producers year-round. I was looking to find was to get more involved with these organizations as I am always on the lookout for new activities and volunteer opportunities. My search resulted in discovering a few new organizations which I was able to interact with this year in different capacities.

LSI Global Greens

This summer, I had the opportunity to volunteer for an afternoon with LSI Global Greens. LSI Global Greens is a local nonprofit program that “reconnects former refugee farmers with the land as they build their new life in the U.S.” They do this by offering individuals plots of land in West Des Moines to grow and sell produce locally. Farmers participate in classes to learn about agriculture and business which help them to start building their own foundation for a future career in Iowa.

While volunteering, I learned a lot about the program including how each farmer gets to select their own produce to grow on their plot. This allows farmers to grow foods important to their culture and cuisine and increases the community’s access to diverse produce. Farmers sell their produce at the weekly Global Greens International Market on Saturday mornings as well as through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. The CSA program provides a seasonal subscription for people to receive a weekly basket of locally grown produce. During my afternoon volunteering, I helped plant more than 30 ginger plants which will be used to help fill the CSA baskets.

Prairie Meadows Hydroponic Farm

Through another volunteer opportunity, I learned about the Prairie Meadows Hydroponic Farm located in the Drake neighborhood on the WesleyLife Meals on Wheels campus. The hydroponic farm can produce up to 20,000 pounds of leafy greens and herbs each year. Most of this produce is used to improve the quality of the meals that the organization provides to thousands of older Iowans and military veterans every day. While I was there, the farm was also experimenting with growing edible flowers that would be used at the restaurant in the same building, Hugo’s Wood-Fired Kitchen. Produce grown in the hydroponic farm is also available to the public directly through their website or at local Fareway stores. Because it is grown indoors, it is available all year round!

After my volunteer shift, I had the opportunity to purchase some freshly packed lettuce and micro greens which I enjoyed in salads at home. I also learned that they partner with the Iowa Food Cooperative to sell more of their greens, an organization that I will be discussing next.

Iowa Food Cooperative

I stumbled upon the Iowa Food Cooperative during an open house they held in the spring. The Iowa Food Cooperative is a year-round online farmers’ market that provides central Iowans constant access to locally grown produce and locally made food products. They partner with over 75 Iowan producers, including the Meals on Wheels Hydroponic Farm, and offer over 1,500 local products. Members pay a low annual fee and can place orders bi-weekly for exactly what they want. The Iowa Food Co-op also has a store front in Beaverdale that is open a few times throughout the week. You do not need a membership to purchase products from the storefront, but the options are limited. At their location in Beaverdale, they also host community classes and meals. I was able to participate in two of these classes where I learned about having backyard chickens in Des Moines as well as how to make several new tofu dishes. I took home some locally made tofu and enjoyed recreating one of the recipes myself.

Final Thoughts

At the beginning of 2025, I had no idea that so many organizations existed to promote community access to locally produced food all throughout the year. I greatly enjoyed volunteering and getting involved with these organizations and look forward to continuing to support their causes and purchase locally made food in DSM. I highly recommend all central Iowans looking to support local to check out these organizations and see how they can purchase products or even get involved.

Looking for opportunities as a young professional in Greater Des Moines (DSM)? The DSM Fellowship Program is the preeminent professional development initiative attracting, developing and retaining a diverse community of top-tier graduates to the region. You can also connect with other young professionals and emerging leaders through Young Professionals Connection (YPC) events and committees.