Coffee, French pastries, barbecue and jewelry – starting Saturday morning, the Downtown Farmers’ Market will feature 16 new local vendors at the outdoor market, which stretches across Court Avenue from Water Street to Fifth Avenue.
The move to add new local vendors comes ahead of National Farmers’ Market Week, which takes place August 7-13.
A mid-season judging panel comprised of vendor committee members, sponsor representatives, farmers market partners and community members selected the new vendors, marking the first time a mid-season vendor judging panel had been held.
Bids reopened in June to fill a limited number of spots “to add and support more diverse new vendors for market visitors,” Kyle Oppenhuizen, communications director for the Greater Des Moines Partnership, said in a press release.
“The Downtown Farmers’ Market team is excited to welcome these new vendors to our already incredible lineup at The Market,” said Megan Renkel, Manager of Downtown Farmers’ Market, in the press release. “The new vendors bring a variety of products and backgrounds that we hope will enhance the value our vendors offer throughout The Market season.”
Stretching nine blocks in Des Moines’ Historic Court District, the Downtown Farmer’s Market supports more than 290 local small business owners, including farmers, bakers and artists, representing 50 counties across Iowa. The market typically attracts 25,000 shoppers each week.
The new vendors will join the Farmers’ Market in downtown Des Moines on August 6th.
More:Find the best summer produce and more at one of these 16 Farmers’ Markets in Des Moines and Metro
Meet the new local farmers market vendors
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.
Big Daddy’s Original Bar-BQ, a Des Moines staple since 1983, is another new addition to the Downtown Farmers’ Market offering featuring chicken dinners or a pulled pork sandwich smothered in a sweet-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 offers specialty coffees and teas and donates 5% of its proceeds to nonprofit youth organizations across America. The Company offers subscription services on its website, blkandbold.com.
More:Out of Hours: Find great sweet treats at the Downtown Farmer’s Market and 2 new brunches
Cie Cie’s Sweet Treats offers a rotating hot menu alongside a wide selection of treats such as cookies, cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries at the Farmers Market and online.
Established in 2019, GG’s Chicken & Waffles brings big flavors to Des Moines with chicken and waffles, chicken sandwiches and wings.
Iowa Cookie Co. offers 6-ounce cookies, with a full box weighing nearly five pounds. This sweet shop features a rotating roster 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 clothing brand that specializes in “upscale graphic tees that anyone can wear no matter what stage of life you’re in,” according to their website. The newcomer also sells its signature t-shirts and tote bags online.
Knotted Dough & Co. specializes in kringlas, a traditional Norwegian pastry. The twisted pastry is also sold at Ames Farmers’ Market and Valley Junction Farmers Market. Knotted Dough & Co. also offers shipping through its Etsy page, KnottedDough.
Lyela’s Kitchen is a halal kitchen and catering business serving Pakistani, Indian and Chinese food and desserts. Lyela’s Kitchen can also be found at the Valley Junction Farmers Market.
Founded in 2020, Macaron Club is a gourmet dessert company that, according to its website, focuses on “elevating the taste of luxury to higher standards.” The Macaron Club’s classic French macarons 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 to provide owner Ashley McCabe, an art teacher in West Des Moines, with a way to stay creative, according to her website. The small business creates handmade, lightweight jewelry that is also available on their website or Etsy shop, McCabeArtistry.
Nadia’s French Bakery in Altoona brings their selection of classic French pastries to the Farmers’ Market. From croissants and pralines to quiches and tarts, Nadia’s French Bakery is committed to “flavorful, delicious, varied and quality pastries,” according to their website. Some products are also available online at nadiasfrenchbakery.com.
Shay Design Studio brings its art brokerage services to the downtown Farmers’ Market. The studio offers art classes ranging from Paint & Sip courses to illustration and graphic design services.
The Joy of Curls creates herbal, natural hair care products for curly hair—but its mission doesn’t stop there. The Joy of Curls also donates its hair care products to children in the care system through its first community partner, Foster the Love Louisiana. The hair care products are available at thejoyofcurls.shop.
The Tranzitions Wellness & Beauty Bar specializes in natural wellness products such as crystals and stones, handmade candles and natural beauty products. The company also offers hair services and extensions, with appointments available online.
Wof Coffee is a local, small-batch coffee roastery that believes “coffee is a science, but also an art,” according to its website. Wof Coffee also makes regular appearances at the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market Different and the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers’ Market. Coffee flavors, each with a unique doodle drawing on the front, are available at wofcoffee.com.
Grace Altenhofen is a news reporter for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at giltenhofen@registermedia.com or on Twitter @gracealtenhofen.