A Saturday Tradition—The Cache Valley Gardeners’ Market
August 2nd, 2011 Posted in Arts and LifeStory & Photos by Megan Hoth
LOGAN—For over 20 years, the Cache Valley Gardeners’ Market has offered citizens a unique chance to support local businesses and farms—and to eat healthy.
Held every Saturday from May through October from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Merlin Olsen Park at 300 East and Center Street, the Gardeners Market is home to booths that range from fresh locally grown produce, handmade jewelry, local artists, food vendors and more.
The market has grown from a couple of people with a card table 20 years ago to a weekly festival of fruits and vegetables, artisan bread, goat cheese and a wide range of arts and crafts. In 2009, the Logan market was named one of the top 20 Farmers’ Markets in America, and last year, the market was the second most popular market in Utah, according to the market’s website.
Wayne and Mavis Hagbergs of Sun City, Ariz., spend their summers in Cache Valley, and have attended the Gardeners’ Market every week for the last five years.
“In Arizona, it is difficult to grow gardens and farms,” Mavis said. “This is a very good gardeners market and we love having this opportunity to enjoy it. Over the years, the variety has improved from just produce to crafts and food as well. It’s fun.”
Along with the enjoyment and convenience of the open-air market beneath the shady trees of the park, Wayne says that he likes to support citizen farmers and the local economy. Wayne came from a small town and Mavis from a farming family, so both said they know how important local farms are.
Erin Sabey of Logan said that she and her husband love to get out to the farmers’ market for the papusas and the produce.
“We really like to come to people watch,” said Sabey. “But it is good to support the Gardeners’ Market because it allows for growth in the community.”
Bill Coulam, also of Logan, has been a part of the market for over 10 years.
“I used to sell tomatoes and raspberries that would sell out in half an hour,” he said. “Now I come to buy tomatoes from others and support the community.”
He said that it’s important to use local resources because, one day, all of the other stores and big names could shut down and it’s our local farms that will matter.
“This is the American dream,” said Coulam.
For more information, check out the Cache Gardeners’ Market website.
TP
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