This Week at the Farmers Market: Coconuts, Dates, Popsicles & Fresh Juice

This weekend, Father’s Day celebrations will be happening all over the city. Whether you’re cooking breakfast, going to a movie, enjoying a hike, or throwing a big family party, stop by one of the farmers markets and pick up all of your necessary supplies.

If you’re still looking for the perfect gift, check out several of the vendors for things like locally sourced meat, sauces, and cakes.

Community Food Bank Farmers Markets

The Desert Harvest Series continues with its next installment, “Eating from Bean Trees.” Find out how the added nutrients found in mesquite, ironwood and palo verde beans can enhance your recipes. The class is being held at the Santa Cruz River Farmers Market on Thursday.

Santa Cruz River Farmers Market (100 S. Avenida del Convento)- Thursday 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

• The Roasted Chile is featuring a variety of vegan soups and smoothies. Don’t forget to pick up a bag of roasted treasures to liven up your meals this week.
• Arivaca Community Gardens has dates right now. The natural candy possesses too many health benefits to list here, but you can’t miss these gems.  Also, look for the incredible carrots grown at this farm. They are a crowd stopper.

El Pueblo Mobile Market, El Rio Parking lot, Irvington Road and 6th Avenue – Monday 3:00  – 5:00 p.m

Community Food Bank Farm Stand, 3003 S. Country Club Road – Tuesday 8:00 a.m – 12:00 p.m

• Abundant Harvest Cooperative will be offering grapefruit, oranges, apples, shallots, nopales and a variety of assorted chilies, all collected from small local growers.

For more information visit communityfoodbank.org.

FoodInRoot

FoodInRoot created a label system to help simplify and make it easier to spot products with your specific dietary preference, restriction or requirements. They were created to be a fresh alternative to the noise commonly found on food packaging. The labels include vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, GMO free, naturally grown, and humane. Head here to look at the labels. FoodInRoot provides them for free to help use in your business or just because you like them.

St. Philip’s Plaza Classic Farmers Market (4280 N. Campbell Ave) Sunday from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

• Buko Box sells refreshing coconuts to drink and eat while you walk around the market. Known for its natural hydrating qualities, this vendor will keep you cool and your thirst quenched. The coconut is served up with a straw and when you are done drinking, bring the coconut back to be cut open to eat the meat inside.
• Fruit Monster is another vendor to visit in a quest to beat the heat. They make amazing, natural popsicles with a fun twist.

Banner UMC Farmers Market (1501 N. Campbell Ave) Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

• Churros Inzuna celebrates one of the best culinary creations, the churro, by bringing its family recipe to the market to share. Seriously, is there anything better than fried dough covered in sugar?
• Sinbad’s Restaurant serves Middle-East, Mediterranean and Halal food that represents these rich cultures. The flavorful and beautiful food customers love at the restaurant is brought straight to you at the market.

For more information visit foodinroot.com.

Heirloom Farmers Market

Beat the heat this week with a special time at the Rillito Park Farmers Market. This week only, the market will open at 7:00 a.m. and will likely run until 11:00 a.m. Enjoy the cool morning air and get the best vegetables by being their first thing.

Rillito Park (4502 N. 1st Avenue) – Sunday from 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (ish)

• Better Juicery provides high quality juice by buying local and naturally grown produce.  They are at the market sharing the benefits and transformative qualities of fresh juice. The rainbow of juices at this booth will make it hard to pick just one.

Oro Valley (10901 N. Oracle Road) – Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

• Elizabeth’s Garden is a small backyard grower who loves to grow vegetables.  She also specializes in herbs, nopales, chicken and duck eggs. If that all wasn’t enough, rumor has it she also brings a selection of fresh baked goods as well.

Trail Dust Town (6541 E. Tanque Verde Road) – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

• Arid Adaptations Nursery features a variety of cactus and succulents specifically grown to handle the harsh environment in Tucson. All are well adapted to thrive in arid conditions and will bring color to your outdoor spaces.

For more information visit heirloomfm.org.