The farmers market in downtown Des Moines welcomes 16 new vendors mid-season
What do you know about the Des Moines farmers market in 2022
In 2022, the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market starts May 7 through October 29. Here’s what you should know before you head out.
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Coffee, French Pastries, Barbecue, and Jewelery – The downtown farmers market will introduce 16 new local vendors to the lineup starting Saturday morning at the outdoor market that stretches on Court Street from Water Street to Fifth Avenue.
The move to add new local vendors comes ahead of National Farmers Market Week, which runs August 7-13.
A mid-season jury made up of vendor committee members, sponsor representatives, farmers market partners and community members selected the new vendors, the first time the vendor jury had held a mid-season.
Applications reopened in June to fill a limited number of locations “in an effort to add more diverse new vendors for market leaders to enjoy and support,” Kyle Oppenhuizen, communications director for Des Moines Greater Partnership, said in a press release.
“The Downtown Farmers Market team is excited to welcome these new vendors to our already amazing selection at the market,” Megan Rinkle, director of the Downtown Farmers Market, said in the press release. “The new sellers are bringing in a variety of products and backgrounds that we hope will enhance the value our sellers provide throughout the market season.”
The Downtown Farmers’ Market, which spans nine blocks in Des Moines’ Historic Court District, supports more than 290 local small business owners, including farmers, bakers, and artists representing 50 counties across Iowa. The market usually attracts 25,000 shoppers every week.
The new vendors will join the Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market on August 6.
more: Find the best summer produce and more at one of Des Moines’s 16 metro and farmers markets
Meet new local farmers market sellers
Au Natural Healing & Wellness will join the Downtown Des Moines farmers market to promote better physical and mental health through natural herbs, essential oils and crystals. The company also sells healing and wellness products through its website and at the Valley Junction Farmers Market.
A staple in Des Moines since 1983, Big Daddy’s Original Bar-BQ is another new addition to the downtown farmers’ market lineup with chicken dinners or a pulled pork sandwich with sweet and smoky barbecue sauce. Big Daddy’s sauces are also available at Hy-Vee stores throughout the Midwest and at local Fareway and Price Chopper stores.
BLK & Bold makes premium coffee and tea while donating 5% of its proceeds to youth nonprofits across America. The company offers subscription services on its blkandbold.com website.
more: Out of Hours: Where to find great desserts at the downtown farmers market and two new brunches
Cie Cie’s Sweet Treats offers a rotating hot menu along with a variety of desserts, such as cookies, cupcakes, and chocolate-covered strawberries at the farmers’ market as well as online.
Founded in 2019, GG’s Chicken & Waffles brings great flavor to Des Moines with chicken, waffles, chicken sandwiches and wings.
The Iowa Cookie Company makes six ounce cookies, with a full box weighing nearly five pounds. This sweet business features a rotating menu of unique flavors, including Colossal Monster, Holy Roller, Dirt Worm, Sugar Daddy, Main Squeeze, Double Stuffed, and Bronco.
Ken Supply Co. is a Des Moines-based apparel brand that specializes in “highly graphic t-shirts that anyone can wear no matter what stage of life you’re in,” according to its website. The new addition also sells its signature T-shirts and handbags online.
Knotted Dough & Co. Specializing in kringlas, a traditional Norwegian pastry. Twisted pastries are also sold at Ames Farmers Market and Valley Junction Farmers Market. Knotted Dough & Co. also offers. Shipping service through their Etsy page, KnottedDough.
Lyela’s Kitchen is a halal restaurant and food company that serves Pakistani, Indian and Chinese cuisine, as well as sweets. Lyela’s kitchen can also be found at Valley Junction Farmers Market.
Macaron Club, founded in 2020, is a gourmet confectionery company focused on “elevating the taste of luxury to even greater heights,” according to its website. Macaron Club’s classic French pasta and gourmet baklava, a layered pastry dessert, are also sold online and at the Valley Junction Farmers Market.
McCabe Artistry was founded in 2020 at the start of the pandemic as a way for owner Ashley McCabe, an art school in West Des Moines, to stay creative, according to its website. The small company creates handmade, lightweight jewelry that can also be purchased from its website or Etsy store, McCabeArtistry.
Nadia French Bakery in Altoona brings a selection of classic French pastries to the farmers market. From croissants and chocolates to quiches and tarts, Nadia French Bakery is committed to serving “good quality, varied, delicious pastries,” according to its website. Some products are also available for purchase online at nadiasfrenchbakery.com.
Shay Design Studio offers its artistic education services to the farmers market downtown. The studio provides art education for Paint & Sip classes for illustration and graphic design services.
Joy of Curls creates vegan hair care products for curly hair – but their mission doesn’t stop there. Joy of Curls also donates hair care products to children in the foster care system through its first community partner, Foster the Love Louisiana. Hair care products are available for purchase at thejoyofcurls.shop.
Transitions Wellness & Beauty Bar specializes in all natural health products such as crystal, stones, handmade candles and natural beauty products. The business also offers hair extensions and services, with appointments available online.
Wof Coffee is a small local coffee roaster that believes “coffee is a science, but it’s also an art,” according to its website. Wof Coffee also appears regularly at Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market and Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers. The coffee flavors, with a unique doodle on the front, are available for purchase at wofcoffee.com.
Grace Altenhoven is a news reporter at the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at galtenhofen@registermedia.com or on Twitter @gracealtenhofen.
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