(Update, added Thursday, Aug 6, 2009: Here is the contact information for the Des Moines Farmer's Market on Facebook and Twitter, via Kelly Foss)
www.facebook.com/
Walking around the Des Moines Farmer's market is a rich sensory experience. You'll see thousands of your fellow Iowans, dressed in their most comfy Saturday-wear, walking dogs and strollers, all having a great time. You'll smell delicious breakfast burritos and pupusas, sold by the hundreds. You'll hear the delightful sounds of a melting pot, grooving to street muscians, talking and laughing, or maybe haggling over some tomatoes.
What you may not know is how much work and planning goes into each and every Des Moines Farmer's Market event. Iowa's largest and most famous market is held every Saturday from May-October.
My guest today on Public Relations Princess is Kelly Foss. Tune in to see how her dedication to this special event had shaped it to become what it is now.
Kelly is the Director of the largest and oldest farmers markets in the state of Iowa - the Downtown Farmers Market in Des Moines. Holding this position since 2000, she has played a major role in the development that this open-air Saturday farmers market has seen in recent years. Under Ms. Foss’ direction the Downtown Farmers Market has recruited, encouraged, and trained hundreds of local entrepreneurs, growers, and artisans.
Ms. Foss is recognized for her endless drive to connect the entire community to the health, social, and economic benefits of the market. She continually builds local partnerships and sponsorships that have played a key role in her ability to implement unique programming and experiences, safety and aesthetic enhancements, and her ability to continually rejuvenate and create a fresh marketplace. Now bustling with over 200 vendors and nearly 20,000 patrons each Saturday, the market is recognized as an icon in the community. Kelly is dedicated to the mission of the DTFM which emphasizes locally produced products and food security. Since 2004, Ms. Foss has been one of the driving forces dedicated to implementing and activating the wireless EBT program at farmers markets in the state of Iowa.
In 2006, she was responsible for the research, development, and successful implementation of an indoor/outdoor winter farmers market, which allowed the farmers’ market season to extend through December. Most recently she implemented a new program called “Meals from the Market”, which is a charitable food donation booth at the market offering an outlet to market farmers and home gardeners to share their excess food and produce to local food charities. She currently serves as the Treasurer elect for the local non-profit group (INCA) Iowa Network for Community Agriculture, and is on the local planning committee for the upcoming National Community Food Security Coalition Annual Conference, which will be held in downtown Des Moines in October.
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