City Park Farmers Market reopened this spring after a brief hiatus energized by passionate organizers, Peter and Margo Wanberg. Having worked various farmer's markets around Denver with Jubilee Roasting Co, they realized that the City Park market “could be larger and more energetic. When we saw that the organizers were no longer hosting the market in 2020, we decided to reach out to the City of Denver and see if we could pick up the permit to reestablish the location, and to our shock, they said yes!”
Assembling their favorite local farmers and a few key vendors to participate in the market, they are setting out to accomplish two main goals: “The first is to create a platform that small food producers and startups can use to grow. The second goal is to create a long-lasting community event in Denver. Donation-based yoga, free live music, grass to play in, volunteer opportunities…these are all excellent ways that we can be an even better and more inclusive community event.”
atōst:
One of the unique aspects of the City Park farmers market is the diverse range of vendors that have been gathered. Enter atōst: “Modern spirits crafted by and for modern drinkers.” Atōst was “created out of our desire to enjoy an alcohol together. Co-founders Cindy loved a nice glass of white wine and Kyle loved spirits so they blended their favorite things about the two and created atōst. Something that’s enjoyable on its own but also versatile enough to top with bubbles or mix into a cocktail.
Atōst is a natural fit for the farmers market. “Everything you see, smell, and taste in atōst come from real and natural ingredients. We never use dyes, anything artificial, and are wheat, corn, and grain-free.” Atōst comes in four different flavor profiles, each offering a different experience depending on the drink you'd like!
Samosa shop:
Busy as a culinary director for a local hospitality group when the service industry slowed down last year, Samosa Shop Founder David Hadley saw it as an opportunity to follow his true passion. “Connecting the food of my youth and ethnicity is really what inspires me. I use the samosa, which is a street food snack as a vehicle to blend the two worlds.”
David has been popping up with the Samosa Shop all over town ever since. “I think it's so important to be a part of a growing community. It represents the culture we have here in Colorado. My goal is to create a product that not only helps fund future ideas for Samosa Shop but educates the local community what Indian and ethnic food is.” Samosa Shop’s handheld pastry pockets contain delicious savory fillings that also happen to be dairy-free and vegan. It is truly the perfect bite to take with you while you explore the farmers market.
Minoru Farm:
Minoru Farm, owned and operated by Jade Sato is unique in that it aims to promote the flavors and produce of multicultural Asian people. Visiting the Minoru Farm stand, you’ll find items that you may not be able to find anywhere else. “This year I am growing a lot of Asian herbs that I’ve never tasted before and I am growing a bunch of interesting varieties of vegetables as well. There’s a cucumber that originated in India that I’m trying as well as a bitter melon that might be tricky to grow in this climate!” The joy of going to a farmers market is stretching your imagination and trying something that you perhaps couldn’t get anywhere else, so stop by the Minoru stand and get some tips on how to expand your culinary imagination.
Pandemic Donuts
Pandemic Donuts was born after founders Gabe Henning and Michael Milton lost their jobs at the beginning of the shutdown last year. “Gabe is a pastry chef, and I began to brainstorm ways we could use her skills to our advantage. I had the idea to make donuts, and Gabe and I both enjoyed this idea. This is our first farmers market and we could not be having more fun! We do our best to deliver the best product we are capable of and getting positive feedback has been extremely rewarding.” What started as a pandemic project has taken off for them. "Our next step will be a bigger bakery! We seem to be outgrowing our current bakery quite fast."
