Building Utah

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. The Downtown Farmers Market’s mission is to support local agriculture, foster community, improve access to fresh food, and promote shopping locally. Joining us to share more is Carly Gillespie, Deputy Director at the Urban Food Connections of Utah. Carly Gillespie: Thirty-four years ago, Salt Lake’s Downtown Alliance launched the Downtown Farmers Market at Pioneer Park. Today, it’s Utah’s largest free community event, drawing more than 250,000 shoppers every summer Saturday from June through October, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Market is a powerful economic driver — generating over 11 million dollars in annual direct-to-consumer sales. It’s home to over 300 vendors from 16 Utah counties, 65 percent of them women-owned. More than a third of these businesses got their start right here at the Market. Here you’ll find farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, locally made food and beverages, and a vibrant arts and crafts market. It’s a gathering space where Utah farmers, food ent