Programming
The Downtown Farmers’ Market has something for everyone — shopping, eating and watching performers. Learn more about Market programs and how to get involved from May – October 2024.
Live Well with UnityPoint Health – Des Moines
As presenting sponsor, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines brings helpful wellness and prevention programs directly to The Market! From health screenings to weekly giveaways, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines will be on-site each Saturday to support its mission of healing, caring and teaching. Stop by their booth to learn more!
Recycling at The Market
The Market aims to minimize its environmental footprint. Bins are available throughout the Historic Court District for recycling bottles and cans. Please help us reduce, reuse and recycle!
Meals From The Market
Meals From The Market, sponsored by First Interstate Bank, is a program created to accept fresh food donations from Market patrons, vendors and the entire community to help feed the hungry in the local community. The program provides thousands of pounds of fresh food to Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) emergency pantries where it is distributed throughout Greater Des Moines (DSM). Home gardeners and bakers are encouraged to donate fresh produce and baked goods; non-perishable food is also accepted. Food donations of any size are appreciated! Drop your donation at the Meals From The Market booth located on the corner of Third Street and Court Avenue.
Market Valet Wagon Program
Planning a heavy purchase? The Market offers a free wagon lending program to help patrons tote heavy pumpkins, artwork or other cumbersome goodies to their vehicles! Wagon availability is limited and available first-come, first-served. Stop by the Information Booth at Third Street and Court Avenue for details or to borrow a wagon.
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)
This year, The Market will accept SNAP EBT Cards and participate in the Double Up Food Bucks program. Double Up is a nutrition incentive program that “matches” SNAP EBT Card benefits spent at farmers’ markets. Whatever you spend on your SNAP Card, you’ll get a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $10 in DUFB that you can spend on fresh fruits and vegetables. So, if you spend $10 on your SNAP EBT Card, you’ll get an extra $10 in Double Up Food Bucks – FREE – that you can use to buy more, fresh produce. These bucks can be used at The Market as well as other participating farmers’ markets and select grocery stores.
Patrons who are enrolled in SNAP/EBT can have their card swiped at The Market’s Information Booth at Third Street and Court Avenue for however much money they want to use in Market tokens and to redeem Double Up Food Bucks. These bucks can be used at The Market as well as other participating farmers’ markets and select grocery stores.
If you don’t spend all your Market currency, you have two options: you can have the funds put back on your SNAP EBT Card on the same day, OR you can save the Market currency and use it later. SNAP EBT Card currency can be spent throughout the entire Market season. Vendors are not allowed to give you change for SNAP EBT Card currency.
Look for these logos at The Market:
Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)
The Downtown Farmers’ Market hosts vendors qualified to accept Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) vouchers from qualified participants. The FMNP provides fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs to nutritionally at-risk and low-income individuals. One of its goals is to expand awareness, use and sales of local, fresh produce at farmers’ markets and aid in the expansion and development of farmers’ markets and farm stands. The program is administered in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Department of Aging.