After a long winter, you can look forward to fresh produce and handmade goods each day of the week at farmers markets across Greater Des Moines. Photo courtesy of Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market.
By Karla Walsh
My fellow fresh produce fiends, I know it’s been a long winter. But here’s some news that will grow on you: Farmers market season is about three weeks away, and we’ve compiled your guide to the top farmers markets in the metro. Mark your calendars now, and consider this your summer bucket list. Can you make it to them all?
Monday: Pleasant Hill Community Farmers Market (4 to 7 p.m. in the Berean Church parking lot). This small but mighty market is the place to be if you didn’t get your shopping done over the weekend.
Tuesday: Beaverdale Farmers Market (4 to 7 p.m. on the west side of Franklin Junior High); Johnston Farmers Market (3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Johnston Library). With brands with cult-like followings including Pie Bird Pies, Veggie Thumper, Karam’s Mediterranean Grill and Scenic Route Bakery—plus plenty of fresh produce—Beaverdale is giving downtown some serious competition as the buzziest market in Des Moines. And from beets to berries, Johnston can help you restock your shelves and refrigerator if you’re on the northwest side.
Wednesday: Waukee Farmers Market (4 to 7 p.m. in the Triangle); Bondurant Farmers Market (6 to 8 p.m. in Bondurant City Park); Indianola Farmers Market (3 to 6 p.m. at the Warren County Fairgrounds). This trio of smaller markets still offers plenty of variety. Swing by for everything from sourdough and sugar cookies to tomatoes and tubers, depending on the season. Bondurant showcases live music every week.
Thursday: Valley Junction Farmers Market (4 to 8 p.m. along Fifth Street in Valley Junction).
After filling your reusable bag with produce and pies, pop into the main drag’s stores, including Candle Bar DSM, Heart of Iowa Marketplace, Bozz Prints and MoMere before grabbing dinner at Cooper’s on 5th or G. Mig’s.
Friday: Grimes Farmers Market (4 to 7 p.m. at Grimes Public Library); Dallas Center Farmers Market (4 to 7 p.m. at Norwalk Christian Church). Craving fresh produce and food truck fare to wrap up the workweek? Head to the western suburbs and enjoy a two-stop market crawl.
Saturday: Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market (7 a.m. to 12 p.m. along Court Avenue), LSI Global Greens Farmers Market (9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 3200 University Ave.); Ankeny Farmers Market (9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Ankeny Market and Pavilion Park); and Heart of Des Moines (on select summer Saturdays from 4 to 7 p.m. at Sixth and Washington avenues). Options abound on Saturday. Tune in to next week’s dsmWeekly for the scoop about the brand-new downtown vendors. Or if you prefer to avoid the crowds, head to LSI’s central location, where your dollars will help support former refugees building small businesses. Up north, you’ll find your Heart of Des Moines one Saturday per month, and in Ankeny, save room for dinner after at Trailside Tap.
