The Murray Farmers Market received a visit from Commissioner Craig Buttars of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food last weekend, in honor of National Farmers Market Week. The market takes place each week on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Murray Park, located at 296 East Murray Park Ave.
National Farmers Market Week, a newly-appointed observance which was announced in late July, is intended to raise awareness for the essential role that farmers markets play in supporting small agricultural producers.
The Murray market was founded in 1981 by the Utah Farm Bureau and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, making it the longest running farmers market in the state of Utah. This year, the market continues through Saturday, Oct. 23.
“It’s important that our consumers are able to buy fresh produce, and that’s what they get at the farmers market,” said Buttars. “They get fresh, locally-grown products.”
Buttars stressed the importance of supporting local growers and suggested turning a Saturday morning trip to the farmers market into a family activity. “Bring the kids,” he said. “Help our young people understand where their food comes from.”
He also explained that farmers markets provide an excellent opportunity for customers to form relationships with producers.
Kerstin Jones of Schmidt’s Farm and Greenhouse in West Jordan agrees.
Jones has been working the Friday market at Murray Park for about five years. She looks forward to interacting with regulars who believe, like she does, that Schmidt’s sweet corn is the best in the valley.
“We’re so grateful to our customers who come back year after year because we sell a quality product,” said Jones. “They keep us going.”
