Am I the last to know about this weekly mini-farmers' market? Plus, a fun event for everyone—for a great cause.
Great food. Plus great food and music to fight hunger.
Greetings! Two things to tell you about today.
Mini Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays
Thanks to my friend and subscriber Mark G. for tipping me off to the Tuesday farmers’ market behind the Des Moines Community Playhouse (4:30–6:30 p.m.; 831 42nd St.). Just four booths—but four excellent ones.
I’d considered heading to a U-pick strawberry patch, but all that wildfire smoke gave me pause. Luckily, I scored a gorgeous box of Iowa berries from Grade A Gardens, plus my beloved rainbow chard. I also picked up pork chops from Crooked Gap Farm and some rather amazing sourdough chocolate chip cookies (a first for me!) from Muddy Feet Farm. There was a flower vendor too, but I’d already hit my budget. Next time!
Know of any other tiny pop-up markets around the metro? I’m not sure this one’s worth a drive from, say, Ankeny, but if there’s a hidden gem in your neighborhood, drop it in the comments. You’ll be helping farmers—and readers. Thanks!
P.S.: If you enjoy food news that gives you information you truly need (rather than just links that make you hunt for the details yourself), please help support my work with a free or paid subscription.
Musicians Fighting Hunger—Join Us!
I’ve helped organize a Guitar Circle Picnic + Concert on the lawn at Grace United Methodist Church (37th and Cottage Grove), and I think you might enjoy both the music and the mission.
GUMC has a free food pantry and refrigerator in its south parking lot that’s open to everyone, at all times of the day or night. The church and some community partners do a good job of keeping it stocked, but the need is great and ongoing.
To raise awareness of this fridge/pantry and to get a surplus of food on hand, we’re putting together a concert on the beautiful front lawn of this historic neighborhood church * (Sunday, June 22; 6 p.m.).
*UPDATE: Due to the excessive heat this weekend, we’re moving this event indoors. Please join us in the church’s Fellowship Hall—a lovely space with comfy tables and chairs, beautiful natural light … and air conditioning!
Find plenty of parking on the South side of the building, off of 38th street between Kingman and Cottage Grove.
And just to be clear: this isn’t a church service—it’s a community gathering. All are welcome. We’d love to see you there. More details below.
P.S.: I’m thrilled that in addition to Kade Rogers (see photo, above), Chip Albright will be a part of our Guitar Circle. A popular singer-songwriter on the Iowa scene, Chip is also a writer in the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. If you don’t yet know his music, come on out! If you haven’t read him, take a look at this recent piece—a story about another community event at a historic church.
Details of the June 22 event are here:
Musicians Fighting Hunger: A Guitar Circle Picnic
Sunday, June 22 · 6:00 PM
Grace United Methodist Church (37th and Cottage Grove) – Front Lawn
An evening of music, community, and purpose, featuring four local musicians in a round-robin guitar circle, taking turns sharing songs and stories in a relaxed, acoustic setting on the lawn.
Admission: Almost free. Please bring a canned good or non-perishable item (or a few) to help stock GUMC’s Community Refrigerator and Food Pantry.
It’s a picnic. Bring your own food and drinks, chairs and/or blankets, spread out on the grass, and enjoy a meaningful summer night. The music will last around an hour to give you time to socialize with your friends and neighbors!
In case of rain, please come anyway. We’ll move inside the building—there’s plenty of room!
Featuring:
Chip Albright – Americana and Folk-Country
Kade Rogers – Oklahoma-Bred Country Western
Dave Wolf and Wini Moranville – Acoustic Rock
Everyone is welcome. Come for the music, stay for the community, and help make a difference.
Tell Your Friends!
Bring friends, tell friends—really! The more the merrier.
Wondering why it doesn’t say which city or town? Is everything assumed to be in Des Moines?
Thanks for all this great info! Sorry to miss your performance Sunday. I was excited...and then I looked at my calendar. I'll be in Iowa City for a writers workshop.
I hope someone records your mastery.