7 Reasons Why City Park Farmers Market is the Best Market in Denver in 2023
One of the things that I notice about Denver is that there isn’t a big conversation about favorite grocery stores in the region. We definitely have stores we prefer over others, but there isn’t an obsession in the way that there is over a Wegmans, Aldi’s or Publix. Instead, that passion is shared when talking about farmers markets. In fact, I’m fascinated by our farmers market love.
During COVID our seeming obsession with farmers markets seemed to deepen. They were the places to be seen and to pick up all of favorite locally grown and cultivated foods. While I do have a couple of favorite markets that I like to visit, there is one that stands out from the rest. City Park Farmers Market is the best farmers market in Denver and I’m going to share all of the reasons why you need to visit if you haven’t had a chance.
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City Park Farmers Market is Accessible
When I bring up accessibility, I mean this in so many ways. City Park Farmers Market is the only one out of the big 3 (South Pearl, Cherry Creek being the other two) that accepts SNAP as far as I know. If I’m wrong-please let me know (or, if this has changed) But, it’s also easy to get to from downtown if you don’t have a car. You can take the 15 bus down Colfax or grab a Lyft.
City Park Farmers Market Feels A Lot More Diverse
I find the market to be a lot more diverse than the other markets that I visit. Specifically, the clientele who shop there. It is closer to Denver’s city center, but let’s be clear-Denver is not that diverse. So, the diversity of clientele was something that I noticed right away.
Food Truck Diversity (Vegans and Vegetarians Can Eat)
In a past life I was a vegetarian for 5 years. I was a vegan for one month and just couldn’t hack it. Now, I am a solid meat eater. So, when I tell you that I noticed the diversity of food trucks at City Park Farmers market and that non-meat eat eaters could eat just as comfortably with a whole bunch of food choices available to them as compared to other markets…that’s saying something. One of my favorite vendors is Urban Burma which serves Burmese food, something that you don’t get to enjoy often in town.
Pay What You Can Yoga Class
Hopefully this will be offered again this year. I love the pay what you can yoga class. There’s nothing better than enjoy a yoga practice outdoors. The other two farmers markets that I most frequently visit don’t have this and I appreciate the opportunity to participate in a communal activity. Reinforcing the idea of being a part of something vs. just floating through the market.
Chef Demos
I had no idea that this was a thing there until I saw one and I loved it! As a foodie I love any opportunity to see what chefs do and how they imagine cooking their favorite dishes. I also like discovering local chefs and the amazing food that they’re cooking.
This year I would like to answer the question that I keep thinking about which is “Will Denver Ever Become a Food Destination?” My thought is “no” but I do think that food in Colorado has steadily improved over the past 20 years.
Live Music with Great Seating
City Park Farmers Market’s open footprint gives customers a great space to experience live music while sitting at one of the many covered tables that are placed on the lawn that runs through the middle of the market. The openness of the market makes it so much easier to enjoy without feeling like you’re going to run into other shoppers-an issue at other markets.
A Real Sense of Community
One of the things that has begun to really frustrate me and many people about Denver is the lack of a sense of community. There are shared experiences that community members have in their towns. For Denver and the surrounding metro area, a shared experience that many people have observed is the nostalgia and conversations connected to Casa Bonita. Most kids growing up in Denver and the surrounding suburbs have at least one memory of going to Casa Bonita, having a great time watching the cliff divers and hating the food (except for the sopapillas)
Or, asking what high school someone went to regardless of age. Or, watching Ralphie run into the football stadium at CU. When I go to some of the more popular farmers markets now, it feels like a weird “See and be seen” situation versus a place to deepen community ties, support locally grown produce and meet growers and makers.
What I love about farmers markets is that they foster a sense of community. We meet local makers of unique products being sold in town. We hear about the challenges of growing produce in Colorado. Vendors who come from long distances across the state share their lived experiences in Colorado that are often very different from living in the Denver metro area.
Farmers markets across the state allow shoppers to meander, taste, look and experience all in one place. We can gather and enjoy discovering something new, support a locally owned business and eat foods grown in our state.
Even though City Park Farmers Market is a bit of a trek from my house, I plan on actively supporting it during the farmers market season.
Which market is your favorite?