Last updated on July 25th, 2016 at 09:18 am
Macey’s, Lin’s, Dan’s, Dick’s Market and Fresh Market stores are featuring more Utah-grown items in the produce section with the Local Farmers Markets program, which launched July 1. The in-store program includes signage highlighting Utah-grown produce and the farmers who supply them, as well as parking lot tent sales on Saturdays.
“Buying from Utah farmers and growers allows us to offer our guests the freshest produce at great prices, since it doesn’t have to travel as far,” said Danni Barnhart, produce manager for Associated Retail Operations, an arm of Associated Food Stores in Salt Lake City. “As locally-owned retailers, it is important for us to support other local businesses, especially our farmers and growers. Our guests love that we offer a wide variety of Utah grown products.”
The Local Farmers Market program is made possible through a partnership between Associated Retail Operations and 33 Utah farmers and growers, including Bangerter Farms, Houwelings Tomatoes and Hartley’s Best Onions. Each of the farmers are GAP certified or in the final stages of achieving the certification, which was set by the USDA as part of the new food safety regulations. The program aligns with industry trends that show local is the new organic according to consumer preferences.
