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How You Can Plan Your Farmer’s Market Meals. 3 Tips to get the Most out of Utah’s Harvest Season
Sep 12, 2018, 10:47 AM | Updated: Dec 13, 2019, 12:34 pm
Photo: Dane Deaner, Unsplash
This article about Utah’s Farmers Markets and Harvest season is sponsored by Utah Farm Bureau. The Utah Farm Bureau inspires all Utah families to connect, succeed and grow through the miracle of agriculture.
This year during Utah’s diverse harvest season, the Utah Farm Bureau is hosting two separate farmer’s markets. The Murray Farmer’s Market and the South Jordan Farmer’s Market. What’s available there is going to depend on the week, but how are you going to plan your dinner menus around produce and other find you buy at a farmer’s market
1. Go to the Farmer’s Market First
Photo: Storyblocks
You’re not going to have any luck if you decide on a meal and hope the market has everything you will need. Some things will be out of season. Other produce may just be sold out by the time you get there. So go to the market before making any plans. Planning meals for the whole week becomes easy this way since you know you have what you will be using. Plus, this even cuts down on food waste.
Farmer’s markets in Utah offer local fresh fruits and vegetables during the season. And they also offer a variety of non-produce items as well including milk and cheese, honey, herbs, jam, eggs, and fresh bread. Plan accordingly though. You may miss out on the best produce if you don’t.
2. Don’t Plan Meals Around the Produce
Photo: Lou Liebau, Unsplash
If you are going to do any pre-planning for meals prior to going to the market, wait on deciding on what fruit or veggies you will be choosing until you get to the market. That way you will have a great selection to choose from. You may even add something you hadn’t even considered adding to the menu. If you bring your menu to the market, and something happens to look good, you can revise it so you can add what you found in.
3. Learn What Produce is Available During Utah’s Harvest Season
Photo: Dane Deaner, Unsplash
It may seem like a no-brainer, but knowing what fruits and veggies are in season will save a lot of disappointment if you are trying to look for that Swiss Chard in September. A great guide provided by the US Department of Agriculture helps to put this all into perspective. Try planning your menu with two different options, then selecting one based on which one is being sold at the best price.
What Farmer’s Market’s are Happening?
The South Jordan Farmers Market is celebrating its 10th birthday and is located at the South Jordan City Center. South Jordan hosts numerous activities and events every Saturday along with the market. The Murray Farmers Market is also celebrating its 37th birthday, the oldest market in the state, originally located in the Utah Farm Bureau Office parking lot. The market is now located at Murray Park.
| Murray Park Farmer’s Market | South Jordan Farmer’s Market |
| 296 E. Murray Park Way | 1600 Towne Center Dr. |
| Fridays and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Saturdays Only 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| July 27 through October 27 | August 4 through October 27 |
The Utah Farm Bureau Farmer’s Markets are growers only. No brokers and no crafts. Come and visit with local farmers and learn more about what’s in season as well as the stories behind the food you love so much.
