A Letter of Thanks from the Des Moines
Waterfront Farmers Market

As we close out our 20th season at the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market, my heart is full of gratitude. For two decades, our market has been a gathering place for community, bringing fresh vegetables, ready-to-eat food, family-friendly activities, and unique handmade crafts to the city of Des Moines, Washington, all set against the beautiful views of the Puget Sound.

This year was especially meaningful as it marked our 20th anniversary and what a year it was! Over the course of the season, more than 70,000 visitors came through our market. We distributed over $5,000 in EBT Market Match, doubling the spending power of those using EBT, and provided $13,640 in King Conservation District (KCD) tokens to low-income seniors to spend on fresh produce, baked goods, and other essentials. We helped more seniors than ever before, running out of funds early in the season. I am proud to share that the Des Moines Farmers Market contributed an additional $1,290 of our own funds to ensure tokens remained available until the very end. These programs directly connect nutritious local food to the people who need it most, and we are proud to play a role in that.

Our market thrives because of the incredible people who make it possible. This year, more than 70 vendors brought their talents and goods to share with our community, creating the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere our market is known for. Guiding this effort was our dedicated Market Manager, Jessica Johnston, who embraced her second year with passion and determination. Her hard work and attention to detail ensured that every market day was well-prepared, inviting, and ran smoothly from start to finish. Supporting her every step of the way were our board members — Amanda Link, Criselda Casault, Jayme Wagner, Kris Van Gasken, Lori Fife, and Zori Pruneda — who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the market thriving and growing year after year. I am deeply grateful for this team and their commitment to our tiny but mighty nonprofit.

We are also fortunate to have strong partners who believe in this market as much as we do. The City of Des Moines has been an invaluable supporter, and I would like to extend special thanks to Katherine Caffrey, Bonnie Wilkins, and Harbormaster Scott Wilkins for their support and partnership. Our gratitude also goes out to Sound Transit, the Des Moines Legacy Foundation, the Port of Seattle, Quarterdeck, Dick’s Drive-In, and the Des Moines Food Bank for their generous sponsorship, which makes our special events and market operations possible. We would also like to give a heartfelt shout out to our friends of the market, Jan Magnuson from SunStar Dog Training, Yoshiko Grace Matsui and Dave Kaplan. Your support makes a difference.

To our community, thank you for showing up, not just this season but for the last 20 years. Each week the market has come alive with your presence. The conversations, the laughter, and the connections you create are what make our community so special. You are the heartbeat of everything we do.

It takes tremendous effort and planning to bring this market to life, and every volunteer, sponsor, vendor, and visitor has played a role in making it possible. Because of you, the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market continues to flourish.

Though the summer season has ended, we are not done yet. We invite you to join us for our annual Holiday Market on Saturday, November 8th, from 10AM to 4PM at the Des Moines Beach Park Event Center. It is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays while supporting local businesses.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making this milestone year so special. Here is to 20 years of community, connection, and good food, and many more to come.

With gratitude, 
Travis De Nevers President, Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market