Utah Farmers Markets Impact Report: Strengthening Local Food Systems, Economic Resilience, And Community Well-Being

Authors

• Jaclyn Pace, Utah State University
• Steven Price, Utah State UniversityFollow
• Roslynn Brain-McCann, Utah State UniversityFollow
• Joshua Cafferty, Utah Tech University
• Blue Cook, Downtown Alliance

Document Type

Report

Publisher

Utah State University

Publication Date

3-2026

First Page

1

Last Page

2

Abstract

Utah's farmers markets are more than places to shop — they are essential community infrastructure. With more than 60 markets in operation across the state, people rely on their local market for food, leisure, and community connection. From 2023–2025, the Utah Farmers Market Network (UFMN) and Utah State University (USU) Extension led a three-year, mixed-methods evaluation to document the economic and social contributions of farmers markets across the state. Over three market seasons, more than 230,000 customer responses were collected at markets in St. George, Cedar City, Hurricane, Ogden, Murray, Wheeler Farm, Millcreek, Downtown Salt Lake City, and Price — one of the most comprehensive statewide data collection efforts in Utah to date.

Recommended Citation

Pace, Jaclyn; Price, Steven; Brain-McCann, Roslynn; Cafferty, Joshua; and Cook, Blue, "Utah Farmers Markets Impact Report: Strengthening Local Food Systems, Economic Resilience, And Community Well-Being" (2026). All Current Publications. Paper 2617.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/2617