Iowa Farmers’ Market Named a ‘Must-Visit’ by Midwest Living

If you haven't been to a Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market, you may want to add it to your summer bucket list! A new article from Midwest Living named it one of the top ten "must-visit" markets in the entire Midwest!

Farmers' markets are a huge summer tradition in the Midwest, especially here in Iowa. I never visited any growing up in the suburbs of Metro Detroit, but since moving to Iowa almost nine years ago, I've been to too many to count! So far this summer, I've been to every single Downtown Cedar Rapids Farmers' Market that's taken place, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.

Midwest Living recently published a list of ten of the "must-visit" farmers' markets across the Midwest, and only one of them is here in the Hawkeye State. The publication says that the Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market is one of the best that the Midwest has to offer!

According to the Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market website, this isn't the first time that the market has been recognized by a national publication. It was reportedly named the #2 Farmers' Market in the U.S. by both Shape Magazine and the Daily Meal! The market has over 180 different vendors, with the Midwest Living article listing a few of the highlights:

"Grade A Gardens is a longtime favorite for organic veggies (and in fall, sells beautiful braids of their signature garlic). Pick up salad dressing, greens and seasoning salts from Dogpatch Urban Gardens. And for buttery croissants, stop by Nadia's French Bakery, owned by a native of Benin who launched her business during the pandemic. It's one of myriad immigrant-run stands with prepared food and produce."

In addition to fresh produce and baked goods, there are a TON of other items available at the Des Moines Farmers Market. Visitors can shop for wine, clothes, jewelry, gourmet popcorn, honey, coffee, fresh flowers, cheese, handmade crafts, candles, yard & home decor, eggs, pet supplies & treats, seafood, and more. And, be sure to come hungry! There are plenty of vendors with prepared food, like Mexican, Chinese, Thai, Italian, Venezuelan, Cajun, Pakistani, Bosnian, and German cuisines. You can check out a full list of vendors HERE.

The Des Moines Downtown Farmers’ Market takes place in the Historic Court District on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon beginning in May. October is the final month for the market, with markets beginning at 8 a.m. instead of 7 a.m. You can get more info on the market (including details on parking) on the official website HERE.