The St. George Downtown Farmers Market is more than a place to shop; it is a unique local tradition.
Every Saturday, all year round, buyers and vendors gather at the Downtown Farmers Market in St. George, not just to sell or buy locally grown organic food and handmade goods, but to unite community spirit.
The Downtown Farmers Market was launched in 2007 to give local people access to fresh produce.
“We have continued it [the market] and it started from a little, tiny parking lot,” Kat Puzey, co-owner of the Downtown Farmers Market, said. “And then, we have moved it down here [Vernon Worthen Park], and it [has] grown into this and we love it.”
The market operates every Saturday from May through October, 8 a.m. to noon, and November through April, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At the market, visitors can buy:
- Natural products
- Prepared food
- Baked goods
- Hand-crafted items
- Clothing
- Self care products
Puzey said the market had about 92 vendors Sept. 20. They offered a variety products, from fresh fruits and vegetables to tacos and smoothies. The market also included works of painters and jewelers.
“We do not allow resale and we are one of the only markets in the state that does that,” Puzey said. “So that is what we love about our market, that is everything here is locally made.”
There are many booths at the market, each of which offers different goods for buyers.
Fred Openshaw Farms
The owners of Fred Openshaw Farms have a family farm and sell homemade products.
“We have got a variety of fruits and vegetables,” Carlotte Openshaw, co-owner of the Fred Openshaw Farms, said. “We trade our apples and our peaches and fruit with them [another farm] so we can have a bigger offering at this market.”
The booth offers apple-based juice, a drink that many visitors come to buy from Fred Openshaw Farms.
The average price of the farm products varies from $5 per pound of a product to $25 for a box of fruits or vegetables. Outside of the St. George Downtown Farmers Market, the family also sells their products across Utah in Orem, Bountiful, Draper, Springville and Eagle Mountain.
Fred Openshaw Farms can also be found on their website, Facebook and Instagram.
Buyou Creations
Another booth that gathers a lot of people around it is Buyou Creations, a business that sells handmade goods for both women and men. Virginia White, the owner of the company, offers a range of designed women’s bags, sports bags and towels. The starting price for the goods is $45.
KB Artisan Jewelry
Also featured at the market is KB Artisan Jewelry. The seller, Kathy Butler, showcases a variety of jewelry, which includes necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets. One special product that Butler sells is pet memorial pendants. The price at the shop varies from $50 up to $120 and products can be found on the website or Facebook page.
Pure Serenity Organics
The booth Pure Serenity Organics offers organic skincare for both men and women. The owner of the business, Danielle Kloepfer, has 15 years of experience in the industry and sells different types of juniper-infused skincare that uses safe ingredients for the skin. The average price for the cosmetic products is $30.
To discover more information about self care products, visit the website, connect through email Pureserenityorganics@gmail.com or visit their Instagram account.
Loaf You Sourdough
Another booth that attracted visitors was Loaf You Sourdough. The owner, Erin Silverthorn, offers different kinds of bakery products. The most popular ones are bagels, cinnamon rolls and muffins. All the baked products that Silverthorn suggests are made from organic flour and have no artificial ingredients. Prices for baked goods vary from $4 to $10.
Besides the market, the bakery Loaf You Sourdough can be found on its Facebook and Instagram, where visitors can see product options and visuals.
The St. George Downtown Market is a great opportunity for students to participate and start their own business.
“If you have an idea and you want to test the market, this is the perfect place to get your feet up off the ground,” Puzey said. “I think it is the most valuable thing for students to be able to function in real life without just having to be a student.”
The Downtown Farmers Market is not only a place to sell products; it is a tradition that continues to unite local people. Find something special for yourself at this market and become a part of the long-standing farmers market community.
