SALT LAKE CITY — Farmers markets help small businesses grow their business.
Up to 80 percent of Utah’s vendors say they wouldn’t have been able to get started any other way, according to Jacqueline Pace, director of the Utah Farmers Market Network.
She said there are currently 41 markets in the state.
“On our website, it will show you all the market names and locations, it will also show you if they have toilets and if they are wheelchair accessible,” she said.
Last year, sellers reported an average of $18,000 in sales during the season, and Pace noted that money goes directly into the sellers’ pockets.
Utahns also love going to farmers markets, and many make weekly visits to their local market.
“Last year, the Utah Farmers Network partnered with Utah State University to collect data on markets across the state and found that up to 89 percent of customers report visiting their local market weekly, spending an average of $29 to $52 per day,” Pace said.
Pace said the company prioritizes inclusivity across all 41 markets, and data shows that up to 70% of its vendors are women- and non-binary-owned businesses.
The Utah Farmers Market Network works closely with Utahns Against Hunger to promote SNAP benefits in their markets through programs such as the Double Up program.
“Last year, up to $43,161 worth of food was distributed to low-income households,” Pace said.
