Farmers’ Markets: Arizona

Photo from Tony the Misfit on Flickr.

I am loudly, and proudly, from the Grand Canyon State: Arizona. People leave their hearts everywhere…but mine is located somewhere in the desert (probably on the I-10) between Phoenix and Tucson (the two cities I have grown up, and gone to school in).

And because my love is so great for all my Arizona peoples, I will share with them (and you DC folks, for your vacations) some great farmers’ markets in my home-state. Here goes.

Greater Phoenix Area

• Twilight Market (Glendale), Wednesdays, 4pm-8pm
• Skysong Market (Scottsdale), Thursdays, 4pm-7pm
• Mesa Community Market (Mesa), Fridays, 9am-1pm
• Carefree Market (Carefree), Fridays, 9am-1pm
• Roadrunner Park Market (Phoenix), Saturdays, 7am-11am (summer)
• Macdonald Street Market (Mesa), Saturdays, 9:30am-2pm
• Scottsdale Old Town Market (Scottsdale), Saturdays, 8:30am-1pm
• Ahwatukee Market (Ahwatukee), Sundays, 8am-11am (summer)
• Mill Avenue Market (Tempe), Sundays, 9am-2pm
• Downtown Chandler Market (Chandler), Thursdays, 3pm-7pm

Tucson Area

• Udall Park (Tucson), Fridays, 8am-noon (summer)
• Oro Valley (Tucson-ish), Saturdays, 8am-noon (summer)
• St. Philips Plaza (Tucson), Sundays, 8am-noon (summer)
• Community Food Bank Market (Tucson), Tuesdays, 8am-noon
• Santa Cruz River Market (Tucson), Thursdays, 4pm-7pm (summer)
• Marana Farm Stand (Tucson-ish), Mondays, 4pm-7pm (summer)
• Rincon Valley Market (Tucson-ish), Saturdays, 8am-1pm (summer)

Farmers’ markets by county (so helpful) for your Bisbee-ans and Bullhead City-ans (shout out for The BF’s old stomping grounds!).

Can I suggest a few farmers’ market tips? Go early, go often. Take some old grocery bags or a canvas bag. Take your dog, but keep them on a leash and bring water! Talk to the farmers and vendors! They’re growing and/or making your FOOD! Ask questions like: what can I make with this? how do you cook this? tell me more about this fruit/vegetable/meat! what does this taste like? They’re there to help you and they want to talk to you! So when faced with 10 different apple varieties, and all you want to do is bake a pie…ask them which kind is best for a pie!

Enjoy!