EXPLORE: 5 fantastic farmers markets

By Jeff Pitts

Fresh, homegrown, healthy food offerings are abundant in central Iowa. The following five are local favorites.

TUESDAYS, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Johnston Farmers Market held at the Johnston Public Library, 6700 Merle Hay Road
www.cityofjohnston.com/865/Farmers-Market
Fresh produce, live music, baked goods, crafts, food trucks and more.

WEDNESDAYS, 4-7 p.m. 
(beginning June 2)
Waukee Farmers Market held at Waukee’s Downtown Triangle on Sixth Street, south of Highway 6
www.waukeedowntown.com/Farmers%20Market.html
Weekly offerings of live music, fresh food and a community of friends.

THURSDAYS, 4-8 p.m.
Historic Valley Junction Farmers Market 
along Fifth Street in West Des Moines
www.valleyjunction.com/events
Organic goods, fresh produce and fun times return to Valley Junction Thursday nights this summer. The market runs along Fifth Street in West Des Moines.

FRIDAYS, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Fridays at the Farm held in Cumming at Middlebrook Farm, Cumming Avenue/Highway G14 in Cumming
www.MiddlebrookFarms.com
Enjoy food trucks and live music at a smaller farmers market venue.

SATURDAYS, 7 a.m. - noon
Downtown Des Moines Farmers’ Market
At: Downtown’s Historic Court District, Des Moines
www.desmoinesfarmersmarket.com
This market is well known for nine city blocks of farm fresh organic produce, tasty vegetables, eggs, seasonal flowers, meats, cheeses, wine and live music. This year’s market will begin as a scaled back version with COVID-19 protocols and safety guidelines in place.
Chasin cats

OUTSIDE THE BOX... (BUT STILL FRESH)

CHASIN' CATS GUIDE SERVICE FISHING CHARTER
4219 87th St., Urbandale
www.chasincats.com
If you want something done right, sometimes you gotta do it yourself. The same goes for getting fresh catfish.