Getting Away

Local Harvest

Many analysts predict retail gas prices will climb to $4 a gallon this summer. Not only will driving to the grocery store cost more, the record-high price of diesel is one of the reasons food prices are soaring, up eight percent in the first quarter of 2008 according to the Arizona Farm Bureau Federation.

For cash-strapped grocery shoppers, the sticker shock is likely to worsen. But some 70 farmers’ markets are showing consumers they can buy affordable farm-fresh produce, baked goods, and other Arizona-grown products straight from the fields of the state’s $9.2 billion agriculture industry. These unique shopping venues reflect the flavor and specialties of each region, and many even offer live entertainment and special annual festivals.

Arizona’s farmers’ markets showcase these local agricultural products, including organic summer squash, beans, tomatoes, corn, eggplant, herbs, onions, potatoes, melons, eggs and assorted flowers. The markets have also become direct outlets for cottage industries such as jellies, honeys, baked goods, and even some arts and crafts. The efforts generally come from small local growers and the typical farming method is pesticide-free or organic.

Buying local works to sustain a thriving economy for local farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. The diverse geography and climate of Arizona has allowed the state’s farmers to harvest a variety of fruits and vegetables, and many communities are finding that promoting local markets is good for economic development and tourism.

Markets run seasonally, either from April through October, or October through May, depending on the region. Several are year-round. They can be found in every corner of the state from Bisbee, Tubac, Flagstaff and Prescott to metro Phoenix and Tucson, from agricultural areas such as Sonoita and Yuma to suburban Scottsdale, Mesa and Chandler. Besides cash, some markets accept food stamps, Arizona farmers’ market nutrition program coupons, and even credit cards. Some offer live entertainment and many are dog friendly. Listed below are some of the bigger markets around the state:

The Flagstaff Community Market features a wide range of products from local growers, including fruits, vegetables, eggs, baked goods, jellies, jams, cheeses, salsas, soaps, flowers, and plants. Phoenix Avenue and Beaver Street. Sundays, 8 a.m. to noon, June through October.

Downtown Phoenix Public Market offers seasonal produce — herbs, pears, apples, dates, okra, green beans, chiles, potatoes, arugula, peppers, eggplant, Southern peas, winter squash, basil, assorted melons, onions, garlic, carrots, free-range eggs, hand-churned butter, jams, and salsas — set to the backdrop of live local music. 721 N. Central Ave. Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon, May through September.

At Roadrunner Park Farmers’ Market, some 40 specialty-food vendors sell homemade jams, pastries, apples, root crops, citrus, garlic, onions, grass-fed beef, eggs, cheeses, melons, okra, beans, squash, field tomatoes, eggplant, peaches, wild salmon and crafts. The market also offers nursery stock for gardeners, and an adjacent park and duck pond for families to enjoy. 3502 E. Cactus Rd., Phoenix. Saturdays, 7 to 11 a.m., May through September.

Located four miles east of Saguaro National Park, the Rincon Valley Farmers’ Market opened in October 2001 as a project of the non-profit Rincon Institute and has grown to a year-round market featuring fresh produce, eggs, emu products, gourds, devil’s claws, Arizona honey, tomatoes, peppers and heirloom vegetable seedlings for sale. 2500 E. Old Spanish Trail. Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Tucson Food Bank Market features locally grown fruits and vegetables and fresh eggs. The four-year-old market is located outdoors at the food bank with a playground, demonstration garden, hens, and developing permaculture site. 3003 S. Country Club. Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon, year-round.

Tucson’s newest farmers’ market is at the University of Arizona on Fridays, and brings Tucson's weekly market count to 11. With some two dozen booths, local farmers and vendors offer a variety of goods such as vegetables, fruits, honey, freshly roasted coffee beans, salsa, meat, cheese and Native American foods. Active during the school year, the market has a fair-like atmosphere including education and demonstration tables, plus entertainment.

Gale Welter, coordinator of the farmers’ market and a nutrition counselor with UA Campus Health Service, says the mission of the farmers’ market is to promote a culture of health and wellness.

“The university community can learn more about ‘field-to-plate’ eating, sustainability of our resources, and simple, convenient changes they can make in their daily lives to feel more energized and be healthier,” says Welter.

With the economic numbers farmers’ market are generating around the country, and the emergence of the “buy local” movement, most involved expect more farmers’ markets to crop up, and the continued growth of those already in existence. And with the variety of flavors our multi-climate state’s growing areas offer, a “local harvest road trip” may be worth the effort.

D.A. Barber is a Tucson-based writer.

©istockphoto.com/VM

A Farmers’ Market Near You

APACHE COUNTY

Concho Farmers Market
On the corner of Highway 61 and 180A in Concho

928-245-8810, ConchoFarmers.org

May – October; Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon

COCHISE COUNTY

Bisbee Farmers Market
Vista Park (Warren Section)

520-227-5060, bisbeefarmersmarket.org
May – October; Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Sierra Vista Farmers Market
Northwest corner of Carmichael and Wilcox (downtown)

520-378-2973, sierravistamarket.com/farmersmkt.php
Year-round; Thursdays, noon to 4 p.m.

COCONINO COUNTY

Flagstaff Community Market
Phoenix Avenue and Beaver Street

928-774-7781, flagstaffmarket.com
June  – October; Sundays, 8 a.m. to noon.
 
GRAHAM COUNTY

Safford Farmers Market
Firth Park, 10th Avenue and Thatcher Boulevard

928-428-2611
June – September; Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Wednesdays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.;
Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
 

MARICOPA COUNTY

Anthem Farmers Market
Outlets of Anthem, 4250 W. Anthem Way

480-585-8639, azfarmersmarkets.us
October 4 – May 2; first Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Carefree Farmers Market
New Amphitheater Gardens, Easy Street and Ho Hum Roads.

623-848-1234, arizonafarmersmarkets.com
October – May; Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cave Creek Farmers & Crafts Market

Hammerhead Jack, 6900 E. Cave Creek Rd.

480-585-8639, azfarmersmarkets.us

Dates and times: TBD

Chandler Farmers Market
A.J. Chandler Park, on block south of Chandler Boulevard and Arizona Avenue

480-782-3045, chandleraz.gov/ed

Year-round; Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Estrella Lakeside Market (Goodyear)
Estrella Mountain Ranch, 10300 S. Estrella Pkwy

480-585-8639, azfarmersmarkets.us
October 18 – May 16; third Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 

Mesa Community Farmers Market
Mesa Conference Center, 263 N. Center St.

623-848-1234, arizonafarmersmarkets.com
Year-round; Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon
 

Greenway Terrace Farmers Market

Northwest Corner of 99th Avenue and Greenway

480-585-8639, azfarmersmarkets.us

October 6 – May 4; First Monday of the month, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ahwatukee Farmers Market
Ahwatukee Swim & Tennis Center, 4700 E. Warner Road

623-848-1234, arizonafarmersmarkets.com

Year-round; Sundays, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (June -September), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (October– May).

Downtown Phoenix Public Market
721 N. Central

602-493-5231, phoenixpublicmarket.com
Year-round; Wednesdays, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Phoenix Camelback Market
3930 E. Camelback Rd.

602-224-0225,vincentsoncamelback.com
October – May; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Roadrunner Park Farmers Market
Roadrunner Park, 3502 E. Cactus Road

623-848-1234, arizonafarmersmarkets.com
Year-round; Saturdays, 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. (May – September)

St. Mary's Westside Food Bank Alliance
4211 N. 43rd Ave. (indoors)

623-848-1234, arizonafarmersmarkets.com
March – September; Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. to noon
 

Town and Country
2021 E. Camelback

602-955-6850

Year-round; Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Trilogy at Vistancia Farmers Market

27980 N. Trilogy Blvd. East #102

480-585-8639; azfarmersmarkets.us

September 27  – May 9; Fourth Friday of the month, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Westgate Tuscan Market
5850 W. Glendale Ave.

480-585-8639; azfarmersmarkets.us

October 11 – May 9; Second Saturday of the month, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Desert Canyon Center Market
10405 McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd.

480-585-8639, azfarmersmarkets.us
October 7 – May 5; Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Market on Market Street at DC Ranch
Southeast corner of Pima and Thompson Peak Parkway

480-563-0019

October - April; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

MOHAVE COUNTY

Garden Fresh Market
1033 W. Beale St.

928-753-9221
May  – October; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

PIMA COUNTY

Civano Artisan and Farmers Market
Civano Nursery, 5301 S. Houghton

520-248-9218, dragoonmarketplace.mysite.com
Year-round; Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Community Food Bank Farmers Market
3003 S. Country Club Dr.

520-622-0525, communityfoodbank.org
Year-round; Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Rincon Valley Farmers and Artisans Market

12500 E. Old Spanish Trail

520-591-2276, rvfm.org

Year-round; Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (summer), 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (winter)

Oro Valley Farmers Market

Oro Valley Town Hall, 11000 N. La Canada Dr.

520-793-8344

Year-round; Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon (May – October), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (November – April)

Tucson Farmers Market

520-793-8344

St. Philip's Plaza, 4280 N. Campbell Ave.

Year-round; Sundays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (November – April), 8 a.m. to noon (May – October)

Farmers' Market at the University of Arizona
University Boulevard and Park Avenue

520-319-9868 ext. 105

September 19– April 24; Fridays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Santa Cruz River Farmers Market

Northeast corner of west Speedway and north Riverview Boulevard

520-622-0525, communityfoodbank.org

May – October; Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

PINAL COUNTY

Florence Farmers Market
Downtown along Main Street

520-868-4273
November – April; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to Noon

Oracle Farmers Market
1395 W. American Ave.

520-896-9005
Year-round; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Sonoita Growers Market
Diamond JK Nursery, 3113 Hwy. 83

520-455-9262, diamondjk.com
July – September; Saturdays, 9 a.m. – noon

Tubac Farmers Market
Plaza de Anza (adjacent to Tubac Village)

520-319-9868 ext. 105, ironwoodtreeexperience.org
October – April; Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 

YAVAPAI COUNTY

Chino Valley Farmers Market
Highway 89 in Chino Valley

928-713-1227, prescottfarmersmarket.org
June – October; Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Cottonwood Farmers Market and Jamboree
Old Town Activity Park, 791 N. Main St.

928-639-3200 ext. 17
July – September; Thursdays, 5:00 p.m. to dark

Prescott Farmers Market
Yavapai College, 1100 E. Sheldon

928-713-1227, prescottfarmersmarket.org
May 10 – October 11; Saturdays, 7:30 a.m. to noon
 

Prescott Valley Farmers Market
M&I Bank Parking Lot, Glassford Hill Road and Florentine

928-713-1227, prescottfarmersmarket.org

June 4 – October 8; Wednesdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.