Downtown Farmers Market gets underway at Pioneer Park
Jun 8, 2019, 5:08 PM | Updated: 10:48 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A major economic boost for local growers as the Downtown Farmers Market gets underway at Pioneer Park in Salt Lake City.
The yearly event takes place every Saturday from now until October. Organizers say opening day brought in about 15,000 people with vendors coming from half of the counties across Utah.
“We are a huge economic driver not just for downtown but statewide,” said Alison Einerson marketing director for the event. “Our economic reach is huge, we go 250 miles outside of Salt Lake City.”
Jared Hankins who farms a piece of land in West Jordan called Hand Sown Homegrown has been coming to this event for six years to sell his produce.
“Home grown, everything harvested last night,” he said. That’s why he didn’t get much sleep. “Pretty much was washing all night.” But he says it’s worth it because this market is the key to his survival.
“This is my income right here,” he told KSL.
Jared is one of 250 vendors at the market. About 50 of them are farmers.
Kerry W. Gibson, Utah’s newest Commissioner for the Department of Agriculture and Food visited the market in the morning to meet with local growers and get a feel for how things are going this year.
“There is something special about that when you can actually look a farmer in the eyes and see the product of his or her labor,” said Gibson. “This year there is no question it’s been a challenge for farmers and ranchers. Crops are in late so some of the things that would normally be here at the farmers market are not here yet it’s a few weeks behind.”
But he says farmers are tough and are used to dealing with the challenges that mother nature brings year after year.
“Farming is as important as it’s ever been. In fact it’s become more so, people care more about where there food is coming from and how their food is produced,” said Gibson.
People and families like the Meades who plan to be here every Saturday.
“Amazing to be able to get fresh produce,” said Taryn Meade.
The Farmers market is held every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
