Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market

The Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market has operated as a nonprofit since 2006, bringing farmers, artisans, and the local community together around produce, honey, cheeses, crafts, flowers, meat and fish, ready-to-eat foods, education, information, and entertainment. That broad mix gives this market a distinctly public-facing shape: it is built not only for shopping, but also for volunteers, nonprofit community partners, and musicians who take part in the season alongside vendors. In Des Moines, that combination makes the market feel tied to the city’s waterfront gathering life while still keeping food at the center.

Why it matters locally

Founded in 2006, the market is organized as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit and frames its role around bringing farmers, artisans, and the local community together in Des Moines. Its own description puts vegetables, fruit, honey, cheeses, flowers, meat and fish, crafts, ready-to-eat foods, education, information, and entertainment in the same place, which means the market serves both shopping and civic purposes on market day.

Food access is also part of the market’s local role. The market supports food security initiatives, including vendors who accept WIC and Senior FMNP vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables, plus EBT/SNAP and Fresh Bucks matching programs. That emphasis is reinforced by its listed partners, which include WIC, Senior FMNP, EBT/SNAP, Fresh Bucks, King Conservation District, and the City of Des Moines.

What you'll find there

The market’s own description points to a broad, mixed lineup rather than a single-category shop: farm goods, prepared foods, crafts, and informational offerings all share the same footprint. Even without a published vendor roster here, the stated product mix is specific enough to show the market’s range.

• -Browse vegetables and fruit from participating farm vendors.
• -Pick up honey and cheeses as part of the market’s food lineup.
• -Find flowers alongside crafts from artisan sellers.
• -Look for meat and fish among the market’s listed offerings.
• -Grab ready-to-eat foods while you shop.
• -Expect education, information, and entertainment as part of the day.

The event calendar adds themed dates through the season, including Opening Day, Family Day, Senior Day, National Farmers Market Week, Dog Days, Hispanic Heritage Month, Harvest Festival, and a November Holiday Bazaar.

Know before you go

The biggest planning detail is the short weekly window: the market runs on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, with the main season opening in June and running through late September. If you are aiming for the regular waterfront season rather than a fall special event, that June-through-September schedule is the one to plan around.

Dogs are welcome, which matters if you are deciding whether to fold the market into a walk along the Des Moines waterfront area. Restrooms are not listed among visitor amenities, so it helps to plan your stop with that in mind. The market is located at 22307 Dock Ave S, placing it right in the waterfront district rather than inland shopping corridors. Beyond weekly shopping, the season also includes specific themed dates such as Dog Days on September 5 and Harvest Festival on September 26.

Payments & SNAP

Food access programs are a central part of this market. EBT/SNAP is accepted, and the market also lists Fresh Bucks, WIC, and Senior FMNP among its supported programs and partners. The market specifically notes food security initiatives and Fresh Bucks matching alongside vendors who accept WIC and Senior FMNP vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables.