New Wednesday Market Opens in Western Gateway
Posted: Thursday, September 01, 2011
The 80,000 people who work in Downtown Des Moines now have a fresh new way to spend their lunch hour at the Downtown Farmers’ Market - Wednesday Market. This new Market will be held on Wednesdays until Oct. 5, 2011 in Western Gateway on Thirteenth Street, between Grand Avenue and Locust Street, in Downtown Des Moines. Hours are 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Wednesday Market features 30 vendors offering a mix of seasonal fresh Iowa fruit, vegetables, specialty and artisan food, local art and entertainment, and a variety of delicious lunch menu offerings. Plenty of tables and chairs will be available for those who want to take in lunch at the Market. Each week will showcase a range of different products as some vendors will alternate throughout the six-week Market.
“At Wellmark, improving the health of our employees, customers and communities is at the heart of everything we do. We’re proud to be involved in events like the Wednesday Market, where downtown Des Moines residents and businesses can experience the cultural, health and wellness benefits a farmers market has to offer, which in turn, benefits their health,” explains John D. Forsyth, Chairman and CEO, Wellmark, Inc.
Corporate sponsors of the Wednesday Market include Meredith, MetaBank, Nationwide and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa. With help from these neighborhood partners; learning opportunities and special programming including cooking, gardening and fitness classes will be offered as well as live music. A detailed schedule is attached.
"It’s our pleasure to partner with the Downtown Community Alliance in support of the Wednesday Farmers’ Market. At Nationwide, we're excited about the opportunity for our associates to participate in this downtown event that brings together neighboring companies and showcases the Western Gateway," says W. Kim Austen, President & COO, Allied Insurance, Commercial & Specialty Operations.
Wednesday Market patrons who work Downtown are encouraged to take the free D-line shuttle, walk or take a B-cycle. For those driving, metered parking is available on Locust Street and Grand Avenue near the Market and at nearby parking ramps located at Tenth and Walnut Street, and Ninth and Locust Street.
The Wednesday Market is produced by the Downtown Community Alliance (DCA), the same group that produces the popular Downtown Farmers’ Market held on Saturdays through Oct. 29. The DCA plans to bring the same quality of Market that the community loves on Saturdays to the downtown workforce on Wednesdays.
“The DCA is creating opportunities for people who work downtown to experience the arts and cultural community that surrounds us,” explains Glenn Lyons, CEO of the Downtown Community Alliance. “The Wednesday Market will be another opportunity for people to take a break during their workday and embrace the downtown culture.”
The Downtown Farmers’ Market began in 1976 with just 15 vendors and an average of 200 shoppers and operated July - September. Today, the Market has grown to more than 200 vendors and an average of 18,000 visitors each Saturday during May – October. Recent development of the Market has prompted an extension of the season by opening on the first Saturday of May and extending to the last Saturday in October, as well as expanding the indoor Downtown Farmers’ Market - Winter Market held in November and December. The Wednesday Market is the newest addition for the Downtown Farmers’ Market.
For more information about the Downtown Farmers’ Market – Wednesday Market, visit www.desmoinesfarmersmarket.com.