Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market will open to the public May 23

The Ames Main Street Farmers' Market will open for the public on Saturday, May 23 after receiving approval from the Ames City Council.  

To encourage social distancing, the market is limited to 600 attendees in the space at any one time. This year's market will not include food trucks, prepared foods, entertainment or seating areas. Vendors will also be spaced at least six feet apart from each other. Attendees of the market are asked to adhere to distancing guidelines and are encouraged to practice self-protection measures, such as wearing a mask, bringing personal hand sanitizer, and staying home if they are sick.

“We are very excited to bring the Market back for another year,” says Lojean Petersen, the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market Manager. “Although this year’s Market will look different than in years past, we’re taking special care to ensure the safety of our vendors and attendees. We’ve already implemented a virtual market to protect those who are at risk, and we’re working to implement a new campaign, “Stop, Shop, and Go,” to encourage the community to stop and shop for their groceries, but then exit to allow others to shop as well. I feel confident that these measures, and the community’s support, will make this year’s Market a success!”

The Virtual Market was implemented on May 9, the original opening day for the Market. The virtual market will continue through the season and will be housed from the back door of the Ames Chamber of Commerce. Cars are advised to enter the south parking lots from the 100 block and make their way down to the Ames Chamber of Commerce at 304 Main Street for curbside pickup from the back door. Online buyers are given a time frame to arrive to minimize congestion of cars waiting in the parking lot. The virtual market can be accessed at amesmainstreetfarmersmarket.locallygrown.net.
​
The Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market will open on Saturday, May 23 on the 300 and 400 blocks of Main Street from 8:00 am – Noon. More information on the Ames Main Street Farmers’ Market can be found at amesmainstreetfarmersmarket.com.