JACKSON, Wyo. — The People’s Market is back on this summer but at a new location, Center for the Arts lawn.
This will be the Market’s 12th summer in operation. The first market will be held on June 2 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.with markets every Wednesday until September 22. The People’s Market is hosted by Slow Food in the Tetons.
Due to construction at the base of Snow King, the organizers found a new location on the south side of The Center on the grassy lawn, the former home of the Town Enclosure Pavilion art installation.
“The summer closure at Snow King presented a challenge,” says Scott Steen, Executive Director of Slow Food in the Tetons, “As we entered into the planning process with Center for the Arts, we quickly realized the potential this move held for growing new partnerships and collaborations within the community and local food system.”
This summer The People’s Market will return to nearly “normal” operations, expanding the number of vendors compared to last year’s paired down Market due to COVID-19 concerns.
The June 2 opener will feature over 40 vendors, more than twice the total at last year’s first market.
“We’re hoping to bring back the positive energy and sense of community togetherness in a safe and responsible way as we emerge from COVID,” explains Steen. “We’re asking vendors and shoppers to continue to follow Teton County and CDC guidelines.”
The list of vendors will vary from week to week, but shoppers can expect to find both familiar favorites and exciting new names among the featured farmers, ranchers and packaged food vendors.
Prepared food and beverage vendors are being invited back this year, providing opportunities for on-site picnicking. Live music will also become a weekly occurrence.
“The zero-waste initiative is back online this summer,” said Slow Food Communications and Outreach Manager, Mari Allan Hanna. The market will once again be equipped with reusable plates, bowls, cutlery and cups, and the Zero Waste Station to reuse, recycle and compost as much as possible. “We’re hoping to surpass the 84% waste diversion rate we achieved two summers ago.”
According to Slow Food in the Tetons, plans for the market are adaptable. In case of any changes to local health recommendations, a plan similar to last year’s, with more spacing, limited gathering, and a food-essentials market is on hand.
