Living at 7,000 feet above sea level, Parkites are all about the freshies. And not just that famous Utah snow. We’re talking about the mouthwatering time of year when fresh produce arrives at local farmers markets and farm stands. But along with providing a place where you can pick up a week’s worth of fruits and veggies, the four Park City–area farmers markets are also rare destinations where you can browse the vendor booths while sipping a kombucha, sit on the grass and listen to live music, or chat with acquaintances while your kids run around untethered. Yes, supporting local farmers and getting to know where our food comes from is important. But that’s only part of the good vibes you’ll enjoy when you visit one of the following markets sometime this summer or fall.

Park Silly Sunday Market

Bark City is in full swing on Main Street most Sundays where well-behaved and leashed pups are nearly as numerous as the fit and fabulous locals. Park Silly is a scene: 150 vendors line the street each week amid all-day music, drinks (including a Bloody Mary bar in the beer garden), arts and crafts, kids’ events like face painting and the rock wall, and so much more. Of course, you’ll also survey myriad fresh fruits and vegetables, gourmet prepared foods, local cheeses, breads, shave ice and ice creams, as well as a quality selection of artwork, crafts, jewelry, and adorable doggy gear. Grab a giant fresh-squeezed lemon- or limeade and people/dog-watch to your heart’s content as you stroll historic Main, with the lower section completely closed to cars. Park Silly is also eco-friendly, offering Zero Waste Stations throughout the market—organizers even separate out food waste to feed local pigs.  

Held Sundays, June 3 to September 23 (except August 5, 12, and 19), on Historic Main Street, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., parksillysundaymarket.com.

Park City Farmers Market

You know it’s Wednesday when you see the old green pickup with a “Farmers Market Today!” sign parked at Park City Mountain’s Town Base denoting the 20-plus-year tradition, the Park City Farmers Market. “The greener you eat, the longer you live,” says Volker Ritzinger, manager of this market and owner of Volker’s Bakery in nearby Kamas. He backs the sentiment up by inspecting every farm featured to allow only organic non–genetically modified food. Expect a rotating explosion of whatever’s in season: gorgeous garlic, just-picked herbs, luscious berries, scrumptious peppers, and, of course, tempting tomatoes. From the familiar to the funky, there’s even winter wheat for you to grind and make into your own bread. You’ll also find fresh-from-the-oven breads and pizza, pie, pastries, kettle corn, fresh wild salmon, buffalo jerky and free-range meats, ice cream, live music, jewelry, T-shirts, and a beer garden.

Held Wednesdays, June 13 to October 25, Park City Mountain’s Town Base, 12 to 6 p.m., parkcityfarmersmarket.com.

Heber Valley Market & Concert in the Park

The secret’s out. On Thursday evenings, Main Street Park in Heber City is where it seems most all Heber folks can be found. But the fresh food, produce, arts and crafts, and concerts also attract lots of others to this friendly town between Park City and Sundance Resort. Come out for a bite from one of the fresh food trucks that ring the park; enjoy the playground for the kids; listen to music; and go home with fresh and delicious fruits and veggies, barbecue, even doughnuts—we’re talking sinkers fried right on the spot. Plus, there you’ll find funky, handmade clothing, baskets, jewelry, and other fun offerings. The vibe is chill ’til the concerts begin. Then the excitement builds as some of Utah’s most popular blues, rock, and reggae bands play.

Held Thursdays, June 7 to August 23, 250 S Main St, Heber City, 4 to 9 p.m.; concert begins at 6:30 p.m.,
http://ci.heber.ut.us/.

Copper Moose Farm Stand

Imagine a charming wooden barn framed by mountain views. Inside are rows of bins filled with vegetables of the deepest hues—green, orange, purple—with recipe cards (like roasted turnip chips with rosemary) tucked in with the veggies. Mason jars, filled with fragrant fresh-picked flowers, line up under the hand-chalked blackboards. And out the front doors, a trio of hammocks invites visitors to stay awhile. Well, you don’t have to imagine it. Just pay a visit to the Copper Moose Farm Stand, located right next to the three-acre gardens, solar greenhouse, and hoop houses from where the produce sold there comes. Fill your growler with locally brewed kombucha, and pick up some local ice cream, bread, eggs, and cheese. Copper Moose Farm also offers CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares year-round that include local cheese and bread from the Park City–based Red Bicycle Breadworks. A crew of passionate farmers, outdoors folk, and foodies (including a nutritionist) is on hand to fill your hearts and bellies with simply the very best stuff ever. And be sure to mark your calendar for Copper Moose’s popular annual Harvest Dinner on August 11. 

Open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1285 Old Ranch Rd, coppermoosefarm.com.

Good Eats for All

If you’ve ever put hands in the earth to grow your own food, you know firsthand the positive impact of gardening. Through Summit County’s Working Inmates program, inmates at the Summit County Jail have been able to experience the joy of cultivating watermelon, squashes, cukes, tomatoes, peppers, onions, pumpkins, and cilantro, many for the first time. What’s more, they get to take pride in the fact that the food is used both for the jail’s kitchen and for the Summit County Community Market, the only farmers market in the area that accepts the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), offering those on federal assistance better access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Held August 14 and 28, and September 11 at the Park City Hospital’s south parking lot, 900 Round Valley Dr, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., summitcountyhealth.org.