Less Than 1 Month Until Scaled-Back Downtown Farmers' Market Returns

DOWNTOWN DES MOINES, IOWA (April 7, 2021) — The Downtown Farmers’ Market presented by UnityPoint Health — Des Moines will return to its traditional location in the Historic Court District in Downtown Des Moines (DSM) each Saturday morning beginning May 1 and continuing through Oct. 31. The scaled-back Market will follow a set of safety modifications for vendors and attendees that were created in accordance with COVID-19 regulations and guidelines.

A total of 110 – 115 fresh produce, artisan packaged food and flower vendors will be present at the modified Market. An extra booth-length distance will be placed between participating vendors and attendees will be encouraged to adhere to the 6-feet social distancing guideline while shopping at The Market. Masks will be required for attendees and vendors, and hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout The Market. Customer walking traffic will also be limited to one-way paths to ensure a safe streamlined shopping process.

To ensure an environment conducive to social distancing, arts and crafts and prepared food vendors will not participate on site at to begin the season, nor will there be some other traditional elements of The Market, including seating areas, children’s activities and live entertainment options.

The Downtown Farmers’ Market will continuously evaluate protocols and programming throughout the season in response to the fluctuating COVID-19 virus infection levels and vaccination rates.

“Safety is the top priority for community events,” said David Stark, President and CEO of UnityPoint Health — Des Moines, the presenting sponsor of The Market. “We are excited to see The Market be able to return in a safe and responsible manner to ensure that attendees have even more options to support local businesses.”

Vendors who will not appear at the in-person Market will still have the opportunity to have their products available for purchase on the Downtown Farmers’ Marketplace Online. Attendees are also highly encouraged to preorder items from participating in-person vendors on The Online Marketplace to ease the transaction process at The Market.

“We are so excited to begin to feel a sense of normalcy as we start the 2021 season in the Historic Court District,” said Kelly Foss, Director of The Market. “This is a starting point and we look forward to being able to add back more elements when the time is right that make The Market a world-class event.”

Find more information at desmoinesfarmersmarket.com.

About the Downtown Farmers’ Market

The Downtown Farmers’ Market is held every Saturday morning May – October in the Historic Court District in Downtown Des Moines. The Market also produces a Downtown Winter Farmers’ Market in November and December. Find more information at desmoinesfarmersmarket.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/DowntownFarmersMarket and on Twitter and Instagram at @dtfarmersmarket.

About the Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 24 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,500 Regional Business Members and more than 365 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.