Year-round indoor farmer’s market


Leah Kalmanson | Associate Professor, Drake University

The Idea: We need a space for a year-round indoor farmers market. The summer farmers market is hugely popular, and the occasional winter markets also draw large crowds. We could easily support a year-round indoor market. Think of the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis, or the famous Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia. Both indoor spaces combine farmers market-style booths with food stalls, restaurants and craft beer pubs. The booths sell produce, local meats, cheeses and handmade items such as soaps or ceramics. These locations are active hubs for eating, drinking and shopping. Last year, I visited several similar indoor markets in Atlanta, and they were bustling in the middle of winter! The year-round indoor market would not only be a great addition for shoppers and diners but would be an added revenue stream for our local farmers. >


+1 Kevin PokornyOwner and consultant, Pokorny Consulting
+1 Ben HandfeltVP of Marketing, Catch Des Moines