Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market
In 2006, the Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market was established. It is a non-profit effort to bring artisans, farmers, and the greater Des Moines community together for a plethora of produce and goods to include, honey, crafts, cheeses, fruit, fish, flowers, meat, education, prepared foods, entertainment, and information. Since its founding, the Market has become a central focal point for Des Moines and adjacent cities. The Market has gained national acclaim for acknowledging and showcasing the contributions farmers and local artisan make to their local communities. Situated in the heartland, Des Moines is the perfect location to be the home for this most recognized farmers market.
Market's Mission
The Market advocates for a host of programs and food safety principles, to include merchants who support the voucher program for Senior and Women, Infant and Child (WIC) program. Additional the Market support the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program as well as the King Conservation District Senior Health Eating Initiative for low-income seniors and Fresh Bucks. It also supports various community organizations' fundraising initiatives across the area.
Board of Directors
The Des Moines Downtown Farmers' Market is organized around a volunteer set of directors consisting of 9 local community members. The goal of the board is to ensure the market is supportive and viable for the community, advocates for Iowa products and farms, and improves the life quality for Des Moines residents as well as the greater Des Moines, IA area. As a non-profit, the market is paid for by foundation donations, sponsors, merchant fees, and private and public grants,
The Market Foundation
As a 501-(c)3 non-profit entity, the Des Moines Farmers Market Foundation exclusive purpose is to fund the continuing operations of the market. The foundation fund is broken up into two parts: 1) the Generation Operating Account, which provides for day-to-day operations; and, 2) the Endowment Account, which functions to fund the market into the future.
All donations made to the General Operating Account are tax deductible. Donations to the fund are collected from individual and business sponsorships, fundraising events, and donations made by attendees of the Market.
Donations made to the Foundation Account are reserved exclusively for the fund's purpose of providing on-going continuity of the market. To meet this purpose, only earning generated by interest on the endowment capital is used to market operations. Donors contributing to this fund, provide a gift that supports the Market over and over. Donations to this fund are tax deductible as well. Donations can be made through the inclusion of the Market in wills, assigning the Market as a beneficiary in life insurance policies, check, or cash.
The Foundation supports helping other Des Moines community organizations, to include The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, 1915 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, Food Bank of Iowa, 2220 E 17th St, Des Moines, IA 50316, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa, Inc., 1441 Pleasant St, Des Moines, IA 50314. The Foundation also supports several youth organizations, such as Youth Emergency Services & Shelter (YESS), 918 SE 11th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, and Community Youth Concepts, 1446 Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50313.
A Market Board of Directors oversees the Des Moines Farmers Market Foundation according to a set of by-laws established during its founding. Internet earned on the foundation's fund is annually provided to the Market's operating budget.
Read here for more information.
All donations made to the General Operating Account are tax deductible. Donations to the fund are collected from individual and business sponsorships, fundraising events, and donations made by attendees of the Market.
Donations made to the Foundation Account are reserved exclusively for the fund's purpose of providing on-going continuity of the market. To meet this purpose, only earning generated by interest on the endowment capital is used to market operations. Donors contributing to this fund, provide a gift that supports the Market over and over. Donations to this fund are tax deductible as well. Donations can be made through the inclusion of the Market in wills, assigning the Market as a beneficiary in life insurance policies, check, or cash.
The Foundation supports helping other Des Moines community organizations, to include The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, 1915 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, Food Bank of Iowa, 2220 E 17th St, Des Moines, IA 50316, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa, Inc., 1441 Pleasant St, Des Moines, IA 50314. The Foundation also supports several youth organizations, such as Youth Emergency Services & Shelter (YESS), 918 SE 11th St, Des Moines, IA 50309, and Community Youth Concepts, 1446 Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50313.
A Market Board of Directors oversees the Des Moines Farmers Market Foundation according to a set of by-laws established during its founding. Internet earned on the foundation's fund is annually provided to the Market's operating budget.
Read here for more information.