Denver's City Park Farmers Market: Vendors, Schedule, Activities

DENVER, CO — A new farmers market in Denver will include more than 65 vendors, most of which will sell produce and food, organizers said.

The City Park Farmers Market will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the former City Park Esplanade Fresh Market space, at 2551 E. Colfax Ave.

The market's Colorado-based vendors — which will include food startups, established brands and artisans — will sell fruits, vegetables, baked goods, coffee, beverages, sauces, condiments and ready-to-eat dishes. Several vendors will sell products such as botanical soaps, flowers and zero-waste supplies.

The East Denver Food Hub will offer meat and produce from dozens of local farmers who may otherwise not be able to bring their goods to market, organizers said. The organization was created during the pandemic to help Colorado farmers.

“It was a matter of survival,” said Roberto Meza, the organization’s co-founder and director of operations. “After COVID hit, grocers and restaurants began shutting down - we lost 65-70 percent of our market overnight. The possibility of losing 35 acres of farmland and our greenhouse was likely.”

Meza began the 2020 season by exclusively selling microgreens from his own farm, Emerald Gardens, but soon other farmers began asking him to represent them too, selling their eggs, honey and other products.

“We’re much more able to remain viable if we aggregate other products to sell,” said Meza. "Now we understand it’s the collective that makes a difference in agriculture. We’re trying to collaborate as much as possible.”

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Peter Wanberg, the founder of Jubilee Roasting Co., and Margo Wanberg, a co-founder of 3 Sisters Honey, organized the City Park Farmers Market in an effort to help local businesses.

“We are working with people who are passionate about growing food, using local and organic ingredients, or are somehow engaged in the local agriculture scene,” Wanberg said.

The new market will run every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 30.

The market is also set to include a donation-based yoga class at 9 a.m. Saturdays with Big Power Yoga, and a schedule of regular live performances by local musicians.

Cafe tables with seating and umbrellas will be scattered along the esplanade "with the hope of providing a European plaza-style vibe, while the grassy environment also makes it both family- and dog-friendly," organizers said.

“Creating a complete and memorable experience for our guests is also a supportive element of championing our vendors,” Margo Wanberg said.

“We hope people will come spend their Saturday morning with us and walk away with both fresh local goods and a stronger relationship with the people who made them.”

>> View a full list of farmers market vendors here.