Salt Lake City (June 10, 2014) – The Downtown Farmers Market, presented by SelectHealth, will celebrate its 23rd year of providing opportunities for the community to support local. The Market—with more than 250 vendors—offers a unique variety of farmers, growers, bakeries, prepared food and beverages, packaged foods and local artisans.
 
The Market is open Saturday mornings, beginning June 14th, at 8 AM and Tuesday evenings, beginning August 5th, at 4 PM in Historic Pioneer Park, Downtown Salt Lake City. As the popularity of the market has grown over the past two decades, with attendance nearly 10,000, so has customer demand. To offer vendors and market-goers additional opportunities, the market hours were extended to 2 PM last season.
 
On opening day market-goers can expect find: collard greens, chard, spinach, lettuce, mixed greens, mustard greens, kale, bok choy, uncured garlic, garlic scapes, arugula, English peas, snap peas, radishes, golden and red beets, baby beets, turnips, green onions, rhubarb, mushrooms and a variety of herbs, as well as limited supplies of fava beans, asparagus and strawberries.
 
Other fresh-from -the -farm items include flower bouquets, garden plants, farm-fresh eggs, local goat, sheep and cow cheese and grass-fed beef, pork and lamb. Coming soon will be strawberries, raspberries, carrots and beans.
  
Patrons are encouraged to come prepared with reusable totes and smaller containers to store greens and other purchases. A priority of The Downtown Farmers Market is to reduce waste and divert trash from the landfill. Encouraging patrons to bring reusable packaging for their purchases can have a large impact at the market and encouraging waste-wise behavior.

The Downtown Art and Craft Market is held every Saturday, adjacent to the Farmers Market. This is a juried show of handmade goods, which features more than 130 local Utah artists on a rotating basis.
 
“As we kick off our 23rd season, I encourage everyone to incorporate local food into their menus,” said Kim Angeli Selin, Market Manager.  “When shopping at the Farmers Market, you are not only directly supporting local family farms, you are purchasing a product that is picked fresh and tastes better. Look for produce that you have never tried, an adventurous cook can be greatly rewarded.”
 
Several farmers attribute participation in The Market accounting for up to half of their family’s income. Additionally, the Farmers Market also plays an important role in growing businesses. Many vendors who began selling their products at the market (Rico Brand, Bruges Waffles and Frites, Happy Monkey Hummus to name a few) now have a presence in brick and mortar businesses, contributing year-round to the local economy.
 
Whether you ride TRAX, pedal a bike utilizing the SLC Bike Collective’s free valet or take advantage of several nearby lots, getting to the Market couldn’t be easier for patrons.  Additionally, a free produce check is available for those who purchase more than they would like to carry for the walk to their car.
 
Music at the Market, presented by City Weekly returns with an exciting roster of local musicians from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM. Market-goers will also find a wide variety of live entertainment, with an appeal to all tastes and ages.
 
The Market will continue to accept food stamps through the SNAP Alternative Purchasing Program with the goals to improve accessibility to fresh food for lower and fixed-income consumers, and to increase revenue for farmers and food producers at the Market.
 
More Downtown Farmers Market information: slcfarmersmarket.org.