Garden variety: farmers markets offer the cream of local crops.

• Author: Bennett, Nina

Summer intones a steady beat and camaraderie calls at Utah farmers markets, where spirited vendors complement crowds of shoppers, some seeking fresh produce for dinner, others a unique piece of artwork to perfect their wall.

On the rise nationally and becoming a larger player in Americas food system, farmers markets go hand-in-hand with a modern food renaissance, marked by an increasing demand for organic, locally grown food that is healthier and tastier.

One frequent visitor to the Salt Lake Downtown Farmers Market, Kevin Cochran, says that his reason for shopping at the market is twofold: "I've made a commitment to support local businesses and I want organic food, so it just makes sense."

Building Community

Nothing epitomizes buying local more than farmers markets. A gathering place for farmers, artisan food producers and artists, these markets host cuisine made a kitchen away and fruit, herbs and vegetables picked clean from a local field--sometimes that very morning.

Utah now has more than 30 farmers markets statewide, and fresh food has never been more in fashion, partly due to the green movement, but also a result of the economic situation that has many people cooking at home to save money. A 2008 survey by Mintel International, a market research firm, reported that approximately 60 percent of Americans are cooking more and eating out less.

Just as tastes and needs have evolved, so too has awareness about food production--causing Utahns to question where they get their food from, whether it is truly healthy and nutritious, and if it is supportive of local agriculture and land preservation.

One can certainly feel the altruistic, communal undercurrent that runs through any farmers market in Utah. The markets are a hub for ideas and social interaction, invigorating a sense of community that merges rural regions with urban city centers, creating renewed respect between the two cultures.

Building Business

The benefits of farmers markets are broad ranging, extending from farmers to consumers, through communities and ultimately impacting the economy as a whole. A study by Project for Public Spaces found that nationally, on average, more than 60 percent of farmers market shoppers visited nearby stores on the same day, making nearby property lucrative locations for business owners. In fact, many states see farmers markets as part of urban planning models that attract buyers and provide a distinctive feel to a community, infusing it with...