The Drake Neighborhood Farmers Market has been known since 1997 for the friendly vendors offering a wide variety of fresh produce in an easy, laid-back atmosphere. There's room to enjoy your stroll around the Market, and free parking just across the street.
We feature Iowa-grown produce, home-baked goodies, and Iowa-made products.
There's a wide variety of delicious foods for supper and snacks, to take home or enjoy at one of our shaded dining tables.
We have free activities for children, and a Health Tent where you can get free blood pressure and glucose screenings.
We welcome WIC and Senior FMNP checks, and EBT.
The Market was established in 1997 as a community project by First Christian Church, Drake University, and the Drake Neighborhood Association.
We are a charter member of the Iowa Farmers Market Association.
For more information, please call Rose Scott, Market Manager, at 515-255-5630.
Reasons to Shop at the
Drake Neighborhood Farmers Market
Locally grown food is better for you. The Market’s produce was picked just hours before you buy it, not days or weeks before and then shipped here. It is crisp, sweet and loaded with flavor and nutrients.
Locally grown food tastes better. Iowa's soil is some of the world's richest in minerals and nutrients, and they make the vegetables and fruits taste better!
Commercial fruit and vegetables are hybrid types, often grown in poorer soil, with tough skins that can survive packing and shipping. They also have long shelf lives in the store. They are grown for looks and shipping, not for flavor.
Local producers grow varieties to provide the best flavors, a long season of harvest, and an array of eye-catching colors. For example, many of the best-tasting tomato types do not look perfect and round!
It’s part of green living. Less fuel is used to get locally grown food to the Market. Food at the Market is grown within easy driving distance of Des Moines.
Buying locally grown food supports nearby producers and farm families. Your money goes right to the grower, instead of to large corporations and freight companies. The local producers get full retail price for their food, which means farm families can afford to stay on the farm, doing the work they love.
Shopping at the Market builds community. You get acquainted with the growers, learn about the produce, and often see friends and neighbors here.
Locally grown food preserves our open spaces. Because buying locally grown food is increasing, selling farmland for development becomes less likely. When you buy locally grown food, you are doing something proactive about preserving the agricultural landscape.
Local food keeps your taxes in check. Farms contribute more in taxes than they require in services. On average, for every $1 in revenue raised by residential development, governments must spend $1.17 on services, which means higher taxes for all taxpayers. For each dollar of revenue raised by farm, forest, or open space, governments spend $.34 on services.
Local food supports a clean environment and benefits wildlife.
Family farms value the resources of fertile soil and clean water. And the patchwork of fields, meadows, woods, and ponds is the perfect environment for many beloved species of wildlife.
Local food is about the future. By supporting local farmers today, you can help ensure that there will be farms in our area tomorrow, and that future generations will have access to nourishing, flavorful, and abundant food.
Adapted from ©2001 Growing for Market
