Farmers Markets
As a city known for promoting healthy outdoor lifestyles, the St. George area is just beginning to extend that ideal to natural and organic foods. Many grocery stores in town can be somewhat limited when seeking fresh or organic choices, but several seasonal farmers’ markets represent a growing trend towards healthy food alternatives. The two main farmers’ markets are the Downtown Farmer’s Market and Frei’s Fruit Market.
St. George Farmer’s Market
Every Saturday from May through October, in the middle of town, there is a small farmer’s market free to the public in the Ancestor Square courtyard. It is the largest farmer’s market in the area, with over twenty-five vendors, hot meals, and even live music. These vendors sell a variety of goods, from seasonal vegetables and fruit, to herbs, meats, fabrics, gifts, and much more. This is the best place in town to get the freshest, and often, the most natural foods in the county, with people selling free-range meats as well as organic eggs and produce.
Directions:
2 West Saint George Boulevard, Saint George, Utah, 84770Ancestor Square is located in the middle of town, on the northwest corner of Saint George Boulevard and Main Street. From Saint George Boulevard, turn north onto Main Street. The cluster of restaurants on your left is Ancestor Square. It includes George’s Corner Restaurant, Benja’s Thai Food, Pizza Factory and The Painted Pony. You will likely have to find parking on a nearby street and take a short walk to the market, as there are only a couple of small parking lots in Ancestor Square.
Hours/Seasons:
May 9th-October 31st
Saturdays, from 8am-12pm
Link:
http://www.farmersmarketdowntown.com/
Frei’s Fruit Market
Frei’s Fruit Market is a quaint little outdoor market in the town of Santa Clara, just west of Saint George. Most of the food sold here is actually grown in their own gardens and orchards. Others are imported from California and other areas. They are small but they sell a wide variety of produce, including melons, squash, oranges, tomatoes, avocados, corn and even seasonal pumpkins. They also have locally made salsas, some unique-flavored jams, trail mixes, and a lot more, including delicious local honey, produced just a few miles from the market.
Directions:
2895 Santa Clara Drive, Santa Clara, Utah 84765From Saint George, head west on Sunset Boulevard for 3 miles. This street becomes Santa Clara Drive. Frei’s Fruit Market is on your left, on the corner of Vernons Street. Park in front in the parking stalls if there is space, or turn left onto Vernons Street for extra parking.
Hours/Seasons:
Their store hours change from season to season, so please check the links below for specific hours, but they are generally open from 9am-6pm from May through October.
November Hours: they are usually open Fridays and Saturdays, from 10am-4pm.
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/FreisFruitMarket/
http://www.freisfruitmarket.com/
*Hint: Their Facebook page has more info and is more current than their website.
Zion Canyon Farmers Market
The town of Springdale that borders the famous Zion National Park has a seasonal farmer’s market every Saturday during their open season. It features all home grown foods, almost entirely local. Few vendors occasionally bring in foods from other areas but it must all be home grown to sell here. They average about 10 different booths and have up to 15 at their peak season, offering all sorts of fresh, healthy produce. Though they are not officially certified organic, all the food sold here IS grown with organic methods. Some booths sell meats, breakfast, coffee, and even some crafts, but it is predominantly a produce market. They even often have live music performed by local bands!
Directions:
Outside The Bit & Spur restaurant, at 1212 Zion Park Boulevard, Springdale, Utah 84767From Saint George, while heading towards Zion, you will pass through Springdale on the highway 9. The Bit & Spur restaurant is on the left, across from Canyon Springs Drive.
Hours/Seasons:
Approximately early May through mid-October
Saturdays, 9am-12pm