Salt Lake City
The Winter Market at Rio Grande, a project of Urban Food Connections of Utah, will return to Downtown SLC on November 7th at the Rio Grande Depot (300 S Rio Grande St). With more than 60 local vendors listed at slcfarmersmarket.org the market is held for 13 alternating Saturdays, through the month of April, from 10 AM - 2 PM.
Due to warm autumn weather conditions, a great late harvest of produce will be available at the first few markets. Shoppers can expect many items suitable for upcoming holiday meals.
Also available is a wide array of other localand specialty products, including grass-fed meats, 100% wild and sustainable seafood, honey, jam, salsa, spreads and more. This diverse range of products includes bakeries, cheese vendors and six local natural meat purveyors featuring beef, lamb, pork and eggs.
“We’re thrilled to be back and better than ever,” said Market Manager, Alison Einerson. “We’ll have an even wider variety of goods this year, and several new vendors joining us. It’s going to be a great mix. We are very thankful to our friends at the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts for inviting us back to share their space and help us increase access to fresh local produce.”
Many of the products available are unique to the Winter Market; the same is true for non-food products as well. Hosting a Winter Market at the Rio Grande Depot also offers an opportunity to provide additional exposure for the programs and resources found at the Rio Grande Depot, which are overseen by the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts. These include the Rio Gallery and The Utah Division of State History.
The Market has helped inject new energy into the Rio Grande neighborhood through increased foot traffic and positive use in its first two winter seasons of operation. It has also served local agriculture businesses by creating direct marketing opportunities during off-season months and maintaining valuable producer to consumer relationships. The first two November markets (November 7 and 21) are themed as “Winter Needs,” and in conjunction with the Road Home, donations of hats, gloves, towels, new pillows and blankets will be collected to support area shelters’ most urgent needs.
The Winter Market at Rio Grande’s sponsors this season include:
Downtown Alliance
Utah Department of Heritage and Arts
The Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City Signature Events Fund
Salt Lake County
Tony Caputo's Market and Deli
Desire Desserts
Frisky Fresh Fish
Solstice Chocolate
Winder Farms
La Barba Coffee
Mountain Town Olive Oil
Catalyst Magazine