Building understanding and connection.
In a world driven by speed and convenience, the farmers market is a place where time slows, people gather, and real food takes center stage. Here, commerce becomes a connection between grower and eater, soil and sustenance. It’s not just about what we buy, but how we choose to belong — to a rhythm older than supermarkets, to a community stitched together by shared nourishment. The farmers market reminds us that food is not a product, but a relationship.
Every Wednesday evening, Chambers Avenue in Millcreek is inundated with delicious aromas that emanate from diverse foods. The Millcreek Farmer’s Market opens from 5 pm to 9 pm, giving those who work during the day a chance to shop after work, as farmers from around the area come together to offer their best produce.
The vibrant colors of savory red tomatoes, green peppers, yellow cobs, orange and pink peaches, vibrant yellow peppers, and dark purple blackberries add a visual element to the market. Farmers and producers sell directly to customers, with some even narrating the beginnings of their business adventures. People from neighboring cities also join the fun.
Kim Angeli is a consultant for Millcreek Farmers Market, and Lacy Gill is the public market manager. Angeli has managed the Downtown Farmers Market, started the Winter Farmers Market, and the now-defunct Liberty Park Farmers Market.
Angeli explains that the community’s ideas and opinions were taken into account many years before breaking ground on Millcreek’s City Hall and Millcreek Common. “A local farmers market was consistently noted as one of the assets the community most wanted to see in Millcreek, and as part of this new gathering place,” she said.
About 40 local businesses form the market, offering a diverse range of products. You’ll find soap from The Hive Mind Apiary, made with animal-derived ingredients such as raw honey. The Grey Rabbit Bakery offers warm artisan breads, croissants, and pastries. Mushroom-infused Kombucha is made by Shroombucha LTD., along with cold pressed juice, wellness shots, popsicles, and cold alkaline water. Taste of Spain offers authentic Spanish dishes, including paella, empanadas, manchego cheese, and Spanish chorizo. Customers can also purchase meats, cheeses, hand-embroidered items, and a wide range of other products. Located within the Millcreek Commons area, the market has a kid zone, splash pad, and a skate park loop.
Lacy Gill noted that “the community values fresh, local goods, and the market has become a vibrant space to connect, support small businesses, and celebrate Utah’s growers and makers.”
Pressed Sisters LLP, is run by two sisters, Kelsey Baldwin and Amber Crawford. They shared that a year ago, they wanted to start a health journey. “We started juicing out of our home, creating different recipes that we liked, and the opportunity came up where we were both available to start something. We decided to go forward, so we’ve only been in business for about three weeks, but here we are,” they explained.
Kelsey enjoys being part of the market. It’s so cool to see all these other communities and everything that is brought together. I think it’s so magical,” she said.
When talking about their products, especially honey, Cambria from White Lake Farms explained: “We do sell a variety that’s unstrained, so it’s considered whole honey. It has a lot more medicinal value, but honey in general is just super medicinal. It’s an adaptogen, so it gives the body what it needs.”
Mycēl Mushrooms provides dried mushroom products that can be reconstituted in warm water and cooked just like fresh mushrooms. And because mushrooms are also good for the skin, they provide mushroom supplements as well as body care, collaborating with a local soap maker.
The mid-week farmers market is “noted for its easy-going atmosphere, accessibility, and top-notch vendors,” Angeli explained. Customers can enjoy music, people-watching, dining and drinking, and spend a fun evening with friends and neighbors.
Clara, a local customer, says she attends the market most Wednesdays to shop, eat local food, and decompress.
The market will close its doors on September 26th. So, you still have time to shop and enjoy yourself.
Angeli added that, “Millcreek Farmers Market is proud to participate in SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks, two programs that assist low-income households with access to the farmers market.”
“In October, the Farmers Market moves to Friday evenings for a four-week run as Harvest Market & Concert Series,” she explained.
Feature Image: Mycēl Mushrooms. Photo by Ryanne Andrews.
