Support Local: Salt Lake Area’s Best Farmers Markets
by MADISAN HINKHOUSE
How does fresh, local produce sound? What about one of a kind food trucks? Fresh baked bread from a local baker?
If you like the sound of any of that, you’re sure to love any of the Capital City’s summer farmer’s markets. With the emphasis that has been put on supporting small, local businesses as of late, doing your grocery shopping at a farmer’s market will fit in nicely with an ethical life.
Whether you’re into the hustle and bustle of Downtown or you’d rather opt for a quieter affair, there’s a market for you in or near the Capital City.
After a year without markets due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems like everyone (farmers and patrons) is ready to enjoy calm summer mornings or warm summer evenings at the market with friends and family.
With an endless amount of food, art and craft vendors, the Downtown Farmers Market truly does have everything. Just the sheer number of booths will make your jaw drop. The market in downtown Salt Lake is on Saturday mornings from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Pioneer Park. It’s best to hit this market early, it gets really busy and it’s quite hot. Sometimes you can even catch a free, outdoor yoga class in the park before the market begins.
A true Farmer’s market feel happens every Sunday throughout the summer at Wheeler Farm, a Salt Lake County historic park. The market has a great selection of local vendors for produce, salsas, jams and much more. They also have food trucks and a local craft/artist section.
The Wheeler farm market is truly special because it’s at a REAL farm. That means not only can you get your local, organic groceries, you can say hello to farm animals and hang out near Cottonwood that runs right through the farm. This is the perfect market to take children along.
If weekend mornings aren’t really your thing, the Liberty Park Farmers Market is the perfect way to kick off the weeknd on Friday evenings from 4:00 p.m. to dusk. For those that live in Salt Lake or Sugar House, biking to the Liberty Park Market is a fun way to spend a Friday date night. The food trucks at the Liberty Park Market will give you plenty of options for a fun Friday night meal.
If you’re really into getting all of your weekly grocery shopping done at the farmers market but not the extra fluff, the Murray Farmers Market is perfect. It is full of local farmers selling their produce, giving you lots of options for fresh food but a few less options when it comes to arts and crafts vendors. This market really does wait for the local farmers’ best crops, so it doesn’t begin until July 30. The market is at Murray Park on Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Looking for something else? Check out other local area farmers markets.
Shopping local and small really is one of the best ways to support our Capital City community and these local farmer’s markets make it simple and quite fun.