Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market: how to eat your way through it

On Saturday mornings from spring to the end of October, the streets of Des Moines' Historic Court District fill with farmers, bakers, cooks and crowds of people carrying bags of produce and breakfast sandwiches. The Downtown Farmers' Market is a big, busy market, and it is a very good way to taste what Iowa grows. This guide, checked in October 2026, explains how to approach it, what to eat and how to avoid the crowds.

When does the market run?

The market runs on Saturday mornings from spring into late October, and the organizers, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, publish the dates and hours each year. Vendors set up outdoors on Court Avenue and the side streets between 5th Avenue and Water Street. Dates and hours can change, so check the market's site before you plan a visit. Ask the organizers whether a winter market runs and where.

What is it like?

It is large, with dozens of vendors along several blocks. You will find farmers selling produce, meat and eggs, bakers, cheesemakers, food trucks and stalls selling prepared breakfasts. It is also a social event, with live music, strollers, dogs and neighbors catching up. Allow at least two hours.

What should you eat there?

• A breakfast sandwich or burrito from a stall, eaten on the curb.
• Fresh baked bread, scones, cinnamon rolls and pastries.
• Iowa sweet corn in summer, a seasonal obsession.
• Tomatoes, peaches, berries and melons in season.
• Apples and cider in the fall.
• Local cheese, honey and sausages to take home.

Walk the market once before you buy. Prices vary and the best items sell out.

How do you plan your route?

The market stretches over several blocks, and the crowds move slowly. Start at one end and walk to the other, then double back for purchases. The busiest hours are mid-morning. Arriving at opening gives you the best choice of produce and the easiest walking. Arriving in the last hour means smaller crowds, although some stalls may sell out. Bring a tote bag and a cooler if the day is hot.

What about food assistance?

The market accepts SNAP and EBT benefits, Double Up Food Bucks and Produce Rx, according to the organizers, and some vendors may take other nutrition vouchers. Look for the information booth to learn how to use them. That makes the market a practical place to buy fresh food, not just a tourist stop.

Where do you eat before or after?

The Court District and the nearby East Village have cafes, bakeries, restaurants and bars, some of which open early on market days. Brunch spots fill by mid-morning, so arrive early or put your name on a list. After the market, walk to the Western Gateway Park or the riverfront for a coffee. In summer, patios along Court Avenue are a good spot for lunch.

How do you get there and park?

Downtown parking ramps and lots are available, and street parking fills early. Allow extra time on weekends with events. Cycling is popular, and bike parking is available nearby. A rideshare drop-off near the edge of the market saves a lot of circling.

What about dogs, children and accessibility?

Many people bring dogs and strollers, which can slow the crowd. Check the market's current rules on dogs. The route is flat and on paved streets, and accessible. For children, set a snack budget and let each choose one treat. Bring wipes and water.

What should you take home?

Local honey, cheese, jam, sausages and baked goods travel well. Ask vendors how long an item keeps and whether it needs a cooler. Fresh produce is best bought on your way home. If you are flying, check the rules on liquids and meats. Ask the sellers for their names and farm locations, so that you can find them again at the next market.

What if it rains?

The market runs rain or shine in most weather. Bring a light rain jacket, wear shoes that can get wet and expect smaller crowds. Vendors often have good deals late in a wet morning. Check the market's social page for severe weather announcements before you leave home.

How do you build a market breakfast?

Pick a savory item, a sweet item and a drink, and eat them in a shady spot. Share with a friend so that you can try more. Then shop for the week: eggs and meat first if you have a cooler, bread and produce next, flowers last. Carry the heavy things back to your car before you walk the second lap.

What do the vendors recommend?

Ask the person behind the table what is best this week. Farmers know which tomatoes are at their peak and which cheese just finished aging. They will often offer a sample and a cooking tip. Asking also builds a relationship, and a regular customer gets the best of the harvest first.

Want to keep track of your favorite stalls?

A big market is easy to forget. Mosey is a food-first app where diners find places by dish, mood and neighborhood and rate what they actually ate. A rating for each breakfast burrito and each pastry helps you remember where to head first next Saturday.

More guides to read next:

• Iowa State Fair food guide: how to eat your way through it
• Iowa State Fair food guide: foods on a stick and how to plan

More in the US food guides and the ranked lists of places.