Locally owned groceries around Tucson carry an assortment of packaged foods, but how many carry fresh produce? As it turns out, not nearly as many as there are restaurants.
Farmers markets, such as Heirloom Farmers Markets, and other programs, such as Pivot Produce and Tucson CSA provide access to local produce. However, they are only available certain times of the week. If you need something the same day and just want a small, locally owned groceries near you for some essentials, this guide will come in handy.
While 5 Points carries the reputation of one of Tucson’s premier brunch spots, their market also carries local produce from nearby farms. Find items such as along with local greens alongside other essentials such as eggs and avocados.
Located next door to the Mediterranean restaurant Caravan Grill, Caravan Mideastern Foods sells fresh vegetables, dried spices, olives, dried dates, East European cheeses, and various other food items from throughout Europe and the Middle East.
This Mexican butcher shop also offers fresh veggies, salsas, tortillas, charcoal, or other snacks.
For a convenient weeknight birria a home, grab their birria bomb to-go. Drop it in a pot with meat to braise into convenient birria.
Food Conspiracy Co-op remains Tucson’s only full-service consumer cooperative while focusing on natural and organic offerings. They also offer prepared foods with a hot bar, salad bar, soups, and sandwiches.
While their Fourth Avenue location may be intimidating for parking, they recently opened a parking lot in the back and now offer curbside pickup.
While G & L offers a wide brand of Asian groceries and goods, it leans more towards the Vietnamese and Chinese spots. This includes Vietnamese herbs that you might not be able to find elsewhere in Tucson on a regular basis — think different types of mustard greens, mints, basils, and watercress.
While Gallery of Food serves as an eatery and caterer, they also carry a variety of local fruits, vegetables, herbs, and greens for purchase. Think Medjool dates, limequats, white Sonoran pomegranates, tangelos, sunchokes, microgreens, aquaponic greens, lion’s mane mushrooms.
Order online here.
Visit Nick’s for Filipino essentials such as coconut vinegar and banana ketchup. They carry a limited amount of fresh produce that runs out, so call before visiting if you need something specific just to be safe. Visit Nick’s Sari-Sari Store on Facebook to view the daily specials available in their restaurant.
In the deep southeastern outskirts of Tucson, Rocking K offers a tidy selection of essentials, liquor, bananas, bread, banana bread, and local beef from Vera Earl Ranch. The restaurant side offers items ranging from beef bulgogi mandu and carne asada nachos to chicken cordon bleu.
This Korean grocery also carries Japanese and Chinese goodies. Check the chest freezer in the corner for sliced premium meats, perfect for Korean barbecue or hot pot at home. The small produce selection carries the essentials for making kimchi and cozy Korean soups. They also sell bottles of sake and soju.
While Time Market’s casual vibes make it an ideal spot for a quick bite or a first date, their elite program and curated selection of cheeses and wines make them a convenient one-stop shop for a picnic. They also recently began offering house-made pasta.
