Downtown Farmers Market returns Saturday June 9
One of Salt Lake City’s most effective small business incubators returns June 9 to Pioneer Park. The Downtown Farmers Market is in its 27th year and will run every Saturday through October 20. The Market not only supports local farmers and provide fresh produce to the public, but has been the launching pad for many of Salt Lake’s local businesses.
The Market again partner with Urban Food Connections of Utah, to help communities incorporate more local and whole foods into their daily menus while supporting regional farmers and food producers.
“The Market plays a pivotal role in our statewide mission,” said Alison Einerson, the executive director of Urban Food Connections of Utah in a statement. “In addition to providing healthy, fresh food to our community, we aim to support local agriculture and growers at all levels throughout the state. The more local produce you buy at our market, the more likely it is that farmland will continue to be farmed. We want people to think of the Farmers Market as their primary source for food.”
Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski credited the Market for helping transform Pioneer Park on a weekly basis. “What makes the Downtown Farmers Market so unique is that it has positively impacted Pioneer Park and the surrounding neighborhood. With more than 200 food vendors and 100 art & craft vendors, the Market attracts thousands of visitors into the heart of downtown Salt Lake City while boosting our local economy,” she said in a statement.
In its three decades, the Downtown Farmers Market has helped launch many businesses that started in the market and eventually expanded to brick-and-mortar storefronts. Local eateries like the Bagel Project, Rico Brand, Bruges Waffles and Frites, Lick’d Popsicles, Sweet Lake Biscuits and Limeaide, Amour Cafe and Laziz Kitchen are just some of the business that got their start at the Market.
According to a statement from the Downtown Alliances, the Markets organizers, farmers and growers anticipate a productive early season with plenty of produce available for the opening day on June 9. Patrons can pick up local radishes, strawberries, cherries, kale, spinach, pea shoots, peas, garlic scapes, rhubarb, beets, turnips, herbs, lettuce, rhubarb, carrots, green onions and more. Also available will be locally raised beef, chicken, pork, honey, baked good, cheeses and other artisanal products. The south end of Pioneer Park will feature nearly 100 local art & craft vendors with products including ceramics, jewelry, art, body care products, apparel and more.
