SALT LAKE CITY -- An estimated 10,000 people stopped by the first day of the Salt Lake City Downtown Farmers Market Saturday at Pioneer Park.
From now through the end of summer, you can look forward a variety of produce as it comes into bloom.
“Right now we have a lot of leafy greens, we are starting to get beans and cucumbers," said Carly Gillespie of Bug Farms. "In about a month or so we will get into basil and then everyone’s favorite tomatoes will be coming online in July and August.”
“We have a ton of vendors, about 250, but we are very conscious about making sure there is enough space to experience the whole park, and the market,” said Nick Como, who is the communication director for the Downtown Alliance.
One vendor that turns a lot of heads is the locally grown crop raised by a bunch of Salt Lake County inmates.
“A lot of them ask if this is a joke,” said inmate Ricky Yates. “They see us out here and they say, 'are you really from the jail?' We are. We explain the vegetables or whatever they are interested in.”
The gardeners are all minimum security inmates, working on getting their masters of horticulture certificate.
“We have some surprised faces but most people are looking for us now that we are out here. They've had our produce and want more,” said Officer Zach Olpin of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The farmers market runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. , visit their website for more information.
