Foraging at the Park City Farmers Market
A local writer weighs in on the market’s best offerings
Summer 2022
Written By: Ashley Brown | Images: Courtesy Park City Creamery, Madison Goodman, Adam Wong, Auntie Em’s
When the weather warms, the lower parking area in Canyons Village morphs into a delightful sensory experience.
Every Wednesday from mid-May to October from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Park City Farmers Market vendors fill the space with a rainbow of colors and smells — selling the best in local produce, baked goods, flowers, and fine cheeses.
The variety of product meets any need, from a few nibbles to a full-blown shopping trip. And the offerings grow increasingly robust toward mid-summer when harvest season peaks. The market is outside and runs rain, snow, or shine, so dress accordingly. On hot days, a sun hat and water bottle make the experience exponentially more pleasant, and a fold-up wagon is an excellent tool for serious shoppers.
Volker Ritzinger began managing the Park City Farmers Market two decades ago. Under his direction, the market has blossomed to include an array of organic and no-spray farmers, artisans, and bakers. Volker, who is originally from Austria, also owns Volker’s Bakery, a European-style bakery. Look for their dancing bears truck and pick up a loaf of Jewish rye or multigrain bread for a hearty base to exceptional sandwiches. Volker’s chocolate croissants and turnovers make the perfect midday treat.
Ioulia Greek Olive Oil Co. imports medicinal-grade olive oil straight from their 200-year-old family orchards in Greece. Enjoy an olive oil shot for an energy boost, or buy a bottle to enhance salads, soups, and dips.
Nothing screams summer like fresh fruit. Pick up Cache Valley-grown strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, and currants from the Weeks Berries of Paradise booth, which are best enjoyed as-is or in a fruit salad.
With a history that dates back over 150 years, Smith’s Orchard is the place to go for stone fruit. Ask the Smith family to point you toward their unique varieties of nectarines and the coveted mid-summer white peaches. A peach paired with Volker’s Jewish rye bread makes for a light and satisfying snack.
Look for Santaquin-based Pyne Farms’ award-winning apples and cider starting mid-summer and through the end of the market. Pick up a Utah-specific variety like the Elliot, or stock up for winter with a box of Fuji and gala apples. On a warm summer day, nothing beats an apple cider slushie.
The Ranui Gardens booth is a kaleidoscope of delicious high-altitude crops grown in Oakley and Hoytsville. Pick up a few bags of their wild lettuce mix and zesty arugula to pair with olive oil from Ioulia Greek Olive Oil Co. Ranui’s juicy tomatoes and radiant wildflower bouquets often sell out, so come early for the best picks.
Madsnacks Produce, also based in Oakley, offers the widest selection of sprouts, which are cut fresh at the time of purchase. Mix their fresh-cut sprouts and radishes with mixed greens to make a vibrant and nutritious salad.
Located at the mouth of Weber Canyon in the town of Uintah, Better Food Farm’s garlic and summer squash roast together beautifully. Or, top their kale and radicchio with a tart lemon dressing to create a zesty salad.
Add body and flavor to stir-fries and soups with Intermountain Gourmet’s mushrooms. Grown in Ogden, the fungi vary from familiar favorites like shitake and oyster to harder-to-find rarities like king trumpets and lion’s mane.
Utah is the beehive state, so don’t miss the honey from Murray-based Burningham Bees. Suck on a honey stick for an instant energy boost or buy a jar to drizzle on sliced Pyne Farm apples.
For wild game, head to Epicurean Chefs. Ask Chef Brophy about his perfectly prepared sous vide duck l’orange or wild game sausages. Make a next-level caprese salad by pairing Epicurean Chefs’ fresh mozzarella with Ranui tomatoes and basil.
Heber-based Park City Creamery specializes in European-style cheeses made from locally sourced cow and goat milk. Park City Creamery’s cheeses have won multiple awards. Make a charcuterie board sing with a sliver of the gold-medal-winning Silver Queen goat cheese and the silver-medal Treasure brie-style cheese.
For wild-caught Alaskan fish, swing by Frisky Fresh Fish. Try pairing their Alaskan king salmon with an herb-laden grain salad or marinate halibut cheeks with lemon and Ioulia olive oil for a light summer meal.
To awe guests with a perfect summer dessert, stop by Auntie Em’s Baked Goods. Look for the blueberry, peach-berry, or triple-berry crumble pies, often made with fruit from Weeks Berries of Paradise and Smith’s Orchard.
To wrap up a satisfying market visit and replenish your energy levels after some serious foraging, grab a cold brew from Daily Rise Coffee Park City.
