Colorado has a Healthier Way to Shop this Summer

Jay McKinney

Farmers markets were founded on the principles of community, sustainability and most importantly, nutritious food. Something about walking among the rows of tents and tables in the summer sun as you connect with local farmers and merchants just feels healthier than the industrialized shopping at a grocery store. Unfortunately, the 2020 pandemic threw a wrench into the plans of farmers markets that have traditionally operated on thin margins with minimal financial reserves. The result has been an uphill battle with an uncertain future as some markets will remain closed indefinitely. However, warmer months and tremendous progress battling the COVID-19 virus should ensure that farmers markets have a better year in 2021 and can hopefully bounce back.

Even if the grocery store will always be your reliable hub for food, making the extra effort to buy local, fresh produce will not only reward your health, it will also reward the local economy. Boulder County Farmers Markets (BCFM) Executive Director Brian Coppom says the impacts of last year’s shutdown are extensive. He lists decreased biodiversity and environmental health, decreased livelihood for farmers, issues for low-income food access and decreased money in the local economy as some of the consequences facing our communities with the hit that farmers markets took in 2020.

Regardless of where you live, there are numerous markets across the Front Range that offer a variety of vendors and products from Colorado.

In the Colorado Springs area, there is the Colorado Farm and Art Market that will open the 2021 season on June 9 and will be open every Wednesday and Saturday until October. Until then, the Colorado Farm and Art Market will have spring markets open every other Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the dates being April 11 and 25, and May 9 and 23.

Within the Denver Metro area, The LOCAL Colorado operates four different farmers markets along with its two store locations with one in Parker and the other in Aurora. Among the four locations for the farmers markets, there is the Southlands market in Aurora, Stanley market in Aurora and the Festival Park market in Castle Rock. And don’t forget the Parker farmers market, which is deemed the hottest place on a Sunday morning in Parker with over 100 vendors including four local vegetable growers and three Western Slope fruit growers.

And for those looking for the perfect gift this Mother’s Day, make sure to check out the BCFM in-person Denver market that will open Mother’s Day weekend. Located at Union Station, the market will open Saturday, May 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will have plenty of local produce that can be whipped into a memorable dinner to celebrate mom’s special day.

Jay McKinney is a Colorado native who recently graduated from Metro State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He loves spending time outdoors, playing golf and hiking.