For Immediate Release:
Thursday - June 7, 2018
Farmers Market Brings Iowa Homegrown and Handmade Products to Capitol Complex
DES MOINES – Farmers Market vendors from Iowa are bringing their fresh food and handmade goods back to the Capitol Complex for a third year in a row. The Farmers Market, sponsored by the Iowa Departments of Administrative Services, Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Public Health, has proven to be popular thanks to support from the complex and surrounding neighborhoods. The market started in 2016. “Vendors tell us they’re excited to return, and we’re happy to have their homegrown and handmade products available on the Capitol Complex for another year,” said Janet Phipps, director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services. “The market brings the flavor and fun of the traditional Farmers Market in Iowa to the Capitol Complex and the community around it,” Phipps added.
The market kicks off its 2018 season on June 12 and will run every Tuesday until September 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on E. 13th St. between E. Walnut St. and E. Grand Ave. Parking is available in Visitor Lot 15 north of the Lucas Building.
“The market is a great way for our State employees and surrounding neighborhoods to have access to Iowa’s wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Easy access to quality produce makes getting the recommended five daily servings of fruits and vegetables more achievable,” said Gerd Clabaugh, director of the Iowa Department of Public Health.
“The Capitol Complex Farmers Market serves as another great outlet for central Iowa producers and we’re excited to see it enter its third successful year,” added Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. “We’ve seen good customer participation from not only Capitol Complex employees, but also from residents in the surrounding neighborhoods.”
Contacts:
Tami Wiencek
Iowa Department of Administrative Services
tami.wiencek@iowa.gov
Polly Carver-Kimm
Iowa Department of Public Health
polly.carver-kimm@idph.iowa.gov
Dustin Vandehoef
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
dustin.vandehoef@iowaagriculture.gov