The Downtown Farmers Market has received another national accolade and is recognized in the September 2010 issue of bon appetit magazine. Perennial favorites Grandaddy Dean’s BBQ pulled pork, Mama Linda’s chile verde, and wheatgrass from Sunbridge Growers were featured as top ten lunches at Farmers Markets around the nation.

“Congratulations to our prepared food vendors for being praised for their delicious and eclectic fare,” said Kim Angeli-Selin, market manager. “Our market ranks side-by-side with markets in famous foodie cities like San Francisco, New York, New Orleans, Miami and more. Bon appetit!”

During the harvest season the Farmers Market will be abundant with berries, cucumbers, eggplant, peaches, heirloom tomatoes, melons, peppers, sweet corn, squash, pumpkin, cabbage, onions, green beans, potatoes and much more.

The Downtown Farmers Market is open Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 12-Oct. 18 and Tuesday evenings Aug. 3-Oct. 14. The market offers a unique variety of fresh, local flavors.

The second season for the Tuesday evening Downtown Harvest Market begins Aug. 2 and continues through Oct. 12, 4 p.m. to dusk in historic Pioneer Park. The Harvest Market is a farm-based marketplace during the most bountiful time of the year.

The Tuesday evening market allows commuters who may not visit the capital city on Saturday for the Downtown Farmers Market, downtown residents and regular market shoppers to purchase produce mid-week, supporting community and locally grown and produced food.

There are over 25 vendors at the Harvest Market including Smith Orchards, Star G Natural Beef, Gold Creek Farms Cheese, Mountainland Apples, City Cakes Bakery, Bangerter Farms, Knight Family Honey and Zoe’s Natural Garden.

“The Tuesday Market is a way for the Downtown Alliance to build on the success of the Saturday morning Farmers Market and to create another venue for fresh and local produce in the heart of the city,” said Kim Angeli, Market Manager. “Our long term goal is to have a year-round Public Market where food producers and food lovers meet. The addition of the Tuesday Market takes us one step closer to bringing that goal to fruition.”

The Saturday Farmers Market has grown to capacity and the Tuesday Market establishes an opportunity for new farmers to sell their produce. The smaller size of the mid-week market allows for easy access, convenient shopping—and there is ample parking near the park.

During the harvest season the Farmers Market will be abundant with berries, cucumbers, eggplant, peaches, heirloom tomatoes, melons, peppers, sweet corn, squash, pumpkin, cabbage, onions, green beans, potatoes and much more.

The Downtown Farmers Market celebrates the opening of its 18th season with the 3rd annual Friends of the Market party. The community is invited to join the Downtown Alliance, Squatters, growers, vendors, artisans and other Market locavores for a festive evening.

Local flavors from Farmers Market food producers like Rockhill Creamery, Tulie Bakery, Happy Monkey Hummus, My Dough Girl, Argentina’s Best Empanadas and many more, live music with Red Rock Hot Club (a gypsy-jazz style guitar group) and seasonal spirits will be provided including award-winning Squatters beer and wine from Moab’s own Castle Creek Winery.

There will be a silent auction with products donated by artisans from the Downtown Art and Craft Market. High West Distillery will offer their Brigham City peach vodka and sharing a new whiskey made from locally-grown grains. Chefs from the Viking Cooking School will be offering demonstrations and preparing appetizers.

Included in the ticket price is a year-long membership to the Friends of the Market program. Guests will receive Farmers Market merchandise, recognition in the Fresh Peaches newsletter, invitations to special events and sincere gratitude from the Downtown Alliance.

When:  Monday, June 7
Time:  5-8 p.m.
Tickets:  $40/single; $75/couple in advance, $50 at the door
Proceeds benefit the Farmers Market.
Location: Squatters Pub Brewery, 147 W. Broadway (300 South)
More information and purchase tickets

The 2010 Farmers Market provides an opportunity for the community to support local. The Market—with over 200 vendors—offers a unique variety of farmers, growers, bakeries, prepared food and beverages, packaged foods and local artisans.  It is open Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 12-October 18, and Tuesday evenings August-September in Historic Pioneer Park.

The Downtown Alliance is dedicated to building a dynamic and diverse community that is the regional center for culture, commerce, and entertainment.