The Drake Neighborhood Farmers’ Market will be open for business at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 30.
This week’s farmers market will feature a variety of activities for children and adults alike, including a Children’s Veggie Toss and a Dental Hygiene Clinic, presented by Des Moines Area Community College dental clinic students. The students will provide free toothbrushes and toothpaste to market-goers.
Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa will also present information about the Home Care Program, which provides nursing care to individuals and families regardless of income.
More than 20 vendors will have Iowa-grown produce, baked goods, snacks, meals, sandwiches, and crafts for sale. Some vendors have wireless equipment that accepts bank debit cards, VISA, Discover, and MasterCard credit cards and Electronic Benefit Transfer cards.
Eight vendors welcome Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition checks and IFMNP/WIC checks/vouchers.
The market is open from 4 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday through Sept. 29 in the parking lot of First Christian Church, 2500 University Ave. Free parking is available for shoppers across from the market on the east side of 25th Street.
A health tent, where shoppers can have their blood pressure and blood sugar levels measured for free, is available every week.
Drake University has been a friend of the market since 1997, helping by posting signs at the corners of 31st and University and 25th and Carpenter. Last year, Drake’s School of Education gave away 375 books to children at the market, and members from Drake’s Department of Chemistry gave an interactive chemistry demonstration for children.
The market is a nonprofit, community project sponsored by First Christian Church, the Drake Neighborhood Association and Drake University. For more information, call Ginny Gieseke at w 515-277-6951 or visit the Web site at www.drakefarmersmarket.com.