Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market

A regular fixture in Des Moines, Iowa, Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market gives shoppers the chance to buy fresh food directly from growers and producers who operate within the local agricultural economy.

Hours are listed as Saturdays, 7 AM - 12 PM, May 3 - October 25, 2026; 8 AM - 12 PM in October. It's always worth calling ahead or checking social media for last-minute changes.

Based on vendor listings, Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market includes offerings such as Vegetables and Fruits. Availability is seasonal and vendor-dependent.

Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market is part of a national network of farmers markets that have grown substantially over the past two decades. According to USDA data, the number of registered farmers markets in the United States has expanded significantly, reflecting growing consumer demand for local, transparent food sourcing. Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market contributes to that network by giving Des Moines-area growers and food producers a reliable, recurring venue for direct sales.

For consumers, the practical benefit of shopping at Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market is freshness. Produce sold at a farmers market is typically harvested within 24 to 72 hours of sale — far less time than the average transit and distribution time for produce in conventional supply chains. That shorter journey from field to table has real implications for flavor, nutritional density, and shelf life at home. Strawberries bought at Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market on a Saturday morning are simply a different product from strawberries that have traveled across the country in a refrigerated truck.

The economic impact of a market like Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market is also worth noting. When you spend money at Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market, most of that money stays within the Des Moines area. Small farms and food businesses that sell direct-to-consumer do not depend on wholesale distribution margins, which means a larger percentage of each sale goes back to the producer — and back into the local economy. That is a meaningful difference from shopping at a national chain retailer.

Markets like Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market are essential to Des Moines's food landscape — they keep dollars local, reduce supply chain distance, and give residents access to fresher food than most retail options.

Contact Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market directly to learn about accepted payment methods, including whether SNAP/EBT benefits are accepted.