This Week at the Farmers Market: Sweet Potatoes, Fresh Flowers & Goat Cheese

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner (hint — it is Tuesday). Sure, you could get a stale box of chocolates and a generic card from the drug store for the special person in your life. But it would be so much better to get a bouquet of local flowers, a freshly baked cake and all of the ingredients needed to make a delicious home-cooked meal using only things grown here in our community.

Community Food Bank Farmers Markets

Enjoy the musical styling of Rudy Cortese at the Santa Cruz River Farmers Market on Thursday. Known for his fantastic banjo playing skills, he is often named “The Banjo Wizard.” Take some time to listen as he shares his talents with the market this week.

Santa Cruz River Farmers Market

100 S. Avenida del Convento, 3 – 6 p.m. Thursday

• Sunflower Sprout Kits makes it easy for you to grow your own sunflower sprouts at home. Pick up a kit that includes all the essentials.
• Sleeping Frog Farms is stocked with sweet potatoes, apples, squash, carrots, leeks and garlic.

Community Food Bank Farm Stand

3003 S. Country Club Rd., 8 a.m. – noon Tuesday

• Abundant Harvest Cooperative will have a beautiful assortment of apples, oranges, grapefruits, lemons, kale, spinach, peppers, broccoli and fresh herbs.

For more information visit communityfoodbank.org.

FoodInRoot

Celebrate love this weekend at the St. Philip’s Plaza markets and again on Tuesday at the U of A Market. FoodInRoot has partnered with Emerge! Tucson and the Clothesline Project to raise awareness about domestic violence for this special weekend. Enjoy locally sourced gifts, produce, baked goods, flower arrangements and more.

University of Arizona Farmers Market

1303 E. University Boulevard, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Tuesday

• Del Cielo Tamales serves delicious tamales that are perfect for eating now or saving for later. With all kinds of traditional, vegetarian and vegan options, there is something for everyone.
• Maria’s Kitchen is a popular lunch stop. Look for several different kinds of burritos, like breakfast, carne asada, green chili beef and the classic bean. They also serve quesadillas and enchildadas!

St. Philip’s Plaza Farmers Market

4280 N. Campbell Ave., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sunday

• A Slice of Heaven has plenty of sweet treats to give to the ones you love or keep for yourself. Enjoy varieties such as red velvet and lemon lavender cake, chocolate caramel brownie trifles, and more.
• Peanut Butter Americano set its mission to create the best nut butters on the planet. Flavors include Cinnamon Honey, Choco Blanco, Dark Chocolate and Cinnamon Roasted Almond.

For more information visit foodinroot.com.

Heirloom Farmers Markets

Second Saturdays returns to the Oro Valley market this Saturday. There will be tours, music, guest speakers, crafts for the kids and other activities all going on around the farmers market. If you ride your bike or walk to the market, enjoy a $1 off coupon to use at the Steam Pump Ranch Art and Commerce Coral vendors. For a whole lineup and more details, head to heirloomfm.org for information.

Rillito Park

4502 N. 1^st Ave., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sunday

• Fiore Di Capra Goat Cheese offers award winning raw goat milk, goat cheese, goat milk yogurt and many, many more options. All of the goats are well cared for and fed using local plants without pesticides.

• Cactus Rose Floral will have you set for Valentine’s Day on Tuesday. Look for colorful arrangements, along with flowers and plants for the yard for something you can enjoy all year.

Trail Dust Town

6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Friday

• Dragon Pizza Company makes ready to order pizzas in its custom, handcrafted dragon oven. They only use locally sourced ingredients and even have gluten-free options.

For more information visit heirloomfm.org.