Milestone marks forty market seasons of community-building and local food access, alongside a shared vision for the future

The City of Boulder is celebrating 40 seasons of Boulder County Farmers Markets (BCFM), recognizing four decades of connecting the community with local farmers, food producers and artisans while fostering a vibrant gathering place in the heart of Boulder. BCFM’s Picnic for a Purpose event, on June 24, celebrates its history and work uplifting local food system leaders committed to agriculture and community.

“Since our founding, Boulder County Farmers Markets has grown into much more than a place to buy local food - it’s become a community-centered non-profit dedicated to supporting agriculture by creating sustainable local food infrastructure within Boulder County,” said BCFM’s Executive Director Mackenzie Sehlke. “As we celebrate this milestone, we’re grateful for the community support that has made our work possible. We’re excited to deepen our partnership with the City of Boulder as we help shape a shared vision for a year-round market space in the heart of Downtown Boulder.”

The Boulder Farmers Market operates in downtown Boulder along 13th Street near Canyon Boulevard, within the area currently being explored through the East Bookend Development Project. As part of the Civic Area Plan, this block and its surroundings are envisioned as central to a food and culture-focused hub of urban living connected to active recreation, lively commercial spaces and views of the Flatirons.

The city and BCFM have formalized a partnership to realize a shared vision of permanent, year-round farmers market presence as an anchor of the development. BCFM will serve as designated operator of the year-round indoor food marketplace, bringing expertise in producer-focused market management, food access programming, and community engagement. The city plans to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the East Bookend Development Project later in August. The RFP will invite interested teams to submit detailed development concepts and partnership structures.

“After 40 years of operating in Boulder, we are excited to take another step forward in our partnership with the farmers market,” said City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde. “We celebrate the important role BCFM plays in our community - from expanding access to local food and supporting small businesses to creating a vibrant gathering place for community members and visitors. We look forward to working together towards realizing the community’s vision for this area.”

The Boulder Farmers Market operates Wednesdays from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. through Oct. 7 and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Nov. 21. Parking is available in City of Boulder garages. On weekdays, visitors pay a $3 flat rate when entering and exiting a garage between 3 p.m. and 3 a.m. Parking is free in city garages on Saturdays, Sundays and city holidays.

Keep Reading