Free Market

The Free Market is back inside! Food can be picked-up at 611 Clark, Ames, IA 50010. Use the West door. Covid-19 friendly rules are in place: Social distancing guidelines are still being followed. Please stay 6 feet apart in line. Masks required, random numbers passed out 10 minutes before Free Market starts (no need to arrive earlier than 10 minutes before), groups of 20 admitted at a time. Bathrooms and drinking fountains are off limits.

Food At First offers a free perishable food pantry three times a week. The perishable food pantry takes thousands of pounds of great food that are left over after taking what Food at First Head Chefs use to prepare daily wholesome healthy meals and give to anyone needing groceries for the week.

Free Market distribution events are located at 611 Clark Ave, West door, lower level of First Christian Church in downtown Ames.

Free Market Times

Sunday

Closed

Monday

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Friday

Closed

Saturday

10:00 am – 11:00 am

The Free Market is sometimes moved one day earlier or one day later if it falls on a holiday. There are always 3 Free Markets per week. For example, Thanksgiving always falls on a Thursday, so the Market is usually held the day before on Wednesday.

Location – 611 Clark, West Door, Ames, IA

How the Free Market Works

Food is perishable so Food at First collects and disperses food three times per week at the times and location listed on this page.

There is no need to arrive too early unless you would like to socialize and have coffee. Random numbers are handed to participants just before the Free Market begins.

There are no requirements for recipients, and no personal information is collected when food is handed out.