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The tastes and flavors of the neighborhood are on display and for sale every week at towns all across the USA.  Right here, in the Des Moines area, there are more possibilities than you can imagine. Of course, the Big Kahuna in Des Moines, is the Sat morning Downtown Farmers Market. It stretches for blocks and is like the Iowa State Fair every Sat of the summer months. But there are so many others to explore and shop.  Often, the smaller ones are more efficient for shopping versus entertainment. Here’s a partial list – Hope you Explore! Beaverdale– Tuesdays from 4-7:30 PM- June 5- Sept 11– 4100-4200 Urbandale Ave. We visited this one last year for the first time and were pleasantly surprised. There’s a grassy area with tables and chairs, some kids activities, music, food trucks and a variety of vendors. East Side Farmers Market – Tuesdays 3-6:00 PM 3200 Delaware (Collectamania parking lot) from May to September. 10-12 vendors each week, less of a party, more of produce market. Des Moines Capitol Complex – Tuesdays from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. June 12- to Sept 25. Located on E. 13^th betweetn Walnut & E Grand. This is a great option for those working downtown or in the state buildings to shop on their lunch hour. Johnston Farmers Market – Tuesdays, 3:30-6:30, May to October, Johnston city Hall parking lot. 6221 Merle Hay Rd. About 50 vendors with a variety of foods, produce and crafts. Waukee Farmers Market – Wednesday’s 4-7:00 PM June 6-Sept 26. Located at the Triangle Park on 6^th St and Ashworth.  Aprox 27 vendors each week. Valley Junction Farmers Market – Thursday’s 4:00 – 8:00, May to Oct 1. 5^th St. in Valley Junction. This one is definitely a party/festival with many of the stores being open and the street closed, music and a variety of food and art as well as produce. Grimes  Farmers Market – Friday’s 4:30 – 7 PM, June 1 – Sept 28. Located on Main st.  Great for homegrown produce and homemade preserves, baked goods and crafts. Ankeny Farmer’s Market – Saturday’s , 8AM-noon, May 19-Sept 29. 715 W. 1^st St, Uptown Ankeny. About 35 vendors each week. LSi’s Global Greens, Saturdays, 9AM-1 PM, June-October. Located 3200 University. This one is unique, if offers a place for former refugees to grow and sell produce that are native to their former homeland. Features about 25 vendors from countries like Burundi, Bhutan, Burma and Rwanda. Also cultural entertainment, music and demonstrations. And of course the Big Daddy of them all – The Downtown Market . Saturday mornings from 7 AM – noon. May 5-Oct 27.  With approx. 25,000 visitors each week, it’s like the State Fair every week! Although these are touted as the top – check the surrounding small communities. Some in Eastern Polk County: Pleasant Hill – Monday’s from 4-7 pm beginning June 4 in Berean Church parking lot. Altoona – Wednesdays’ from 4:30-7 pm  beginning June 6 at 360 Center Place SW Bondurant – 2^nd & 4^th Wednesday’s from 6-8 PM through October on Main St. Prairie City – Thursdays 4:30-6:30, located in the square, thru September Carlisle- Sat. mornings, 8:30-11:30 at Wyckoff parking lot, 95 Highway 5.