There’s no shortage of farmers markets in Tucson. While there aren’t many stores in Tucson where you can find a wide variety of fresh, local produce, the various farmers markets scattered around town on different days make up for it. I’ve made it a point to get to most of them, and I enjoy most of them, too, for their own character, but the St. Philip’s Plaza Farmers Market on Sundays is the most well rounded. Depending on which farmers markets you’ve visited, you might have noticed this isn’t always the case. A lot of the time it’s more of a crafts fair than a farmers market. Held on Saturdays from 9am-2pm and Sundays from 9am to 1pm the St. Philips Plaza Farmers Market features a variety of prepared foods such as jams, jellies, hummus, pies, baked goods and cider, raw, locally grown produce and ingredients such as fruits, nuts, vegetables, eggs, cheese, meat, as well as live music and great people watching in a lovely little courtyard.
Vendors come from Amado, Cochise, Glendale, Maricopa, St. David, Tucson, Willcox, Winkelman, and more with produce, meats, eggs and cheese, much of which is raised or grown at their farms in the towns listed. Many of the farmers and vendors also bring in produce from outside Arizona, so if you’re concerned where your produce is coming from, just ask the person selling it. I’ve never met a farmer, rancher, vendor, winemaker, or cheesemaker that wasn’t more than willing, excited, and happy to talk about their operation in great detail.
Listed below are some of the vendors you’ll find at the St. Philip’s Plaza Farmers Market. I’ll add to this as more vendors appear. Also, some of these people have no contact information, so you’ll just have to go the market and hope they’ll be there. And, keep in mind, all of their produce – except for the meat, dairy, and nuts – is seasonal. Also, I’m only listing those that offer raw ingredients such as fruit, vegetables, meats, eggs, and cheese. There are many more vendors than I’m listing that do not fall into this category. Also, if you know something I don’t, or have contact information for any of the vendors listed, please let me know.
Agua Linda Farm, Amado, AZ
T (520) 398-3218
W http://agualindafarm.net/
Agua Linda Farm is one of Tucson’s more proximal farms. In addition to being able to purchase at the farmers market, they also have a CSA. According to their website, their March harvest includes Spring greens, arugula, turnips, carrots, chois, kale and brazing greens. They also list each month’s harvest on their website, so pay it a visit for more information.
B-X Ranch (B “Bar” X Ranch), Cochise, AZ
4505 N Cochise Stronghold Rd.
Cochise, AZ 85606
T (520) 904-9025
Although the B-X Ranch offers pork, beef, lamb, and eggs, only the lamb and eggs come from the ranch. Not that this should prevent you from eating their pork or beef which I hear is excellent (and from Texas), but if you’re trying to find local, this isn’t the place for pork and beef. Buy up the lamb and eggs, though!
Brown’s Orchard, Willcox, AZ
5774 N. Atwood Dr.
Willcox, AZ 85643
T (520) 384-3671
Seven varieties of apple, four varieties of pear, lamb meat, and more. U-Pick season August through November.
Desert Treasures, Tucson, AZ
I don’t know much about Desert Treasures other than it’s an old citrus grove on the Northwest side of Tucson growing Ruby Red grapefruit, oranges, Nagami, Meiwa, and Calamondin kumquats, Kaffir limes, limequats, and more.
Double Check Ranch, Winkelman, AZ
4965 N. Camino Rio, Winkelman, Arizona 85292
T (520) 357-6515
W http://www.doublecheckranch.com/
Grassfed, natural beef. Free range, hormone & antibiotic free.
Grammy’s Garden, Cochise, AZ
T (520) 508-1505
swyckoff@hughes.net
Tomatoes, eggplant, green beans, greens, red bell peppers and more. Some of the produce is from their farm and some from Yuma county.
La Oesta Gardens, Tucson, AZ
Excellent looking greens and Asian produce all grown in Tucson.
Lee’s Pecans, Willcox, AZ
T (520) 384-2927
jaakilee@vtc.net
Just pecans.
Seasonal Fresh, Glendale, AZ
Seasonal Fresh is more of a distributor than a farmer, however most of his produce does come from Glendale. I believe he harvests most of the produce himself.
Sleeping Frog Farms, Tucson, AZ
Somewhat of a newcomer to the industry but with plenty of experience, Sleeping Frog Farms has an excellent variety of produce (prior to selling it all).
Super Natural Organics, St. David, AZ
Melons, bell peppers, onions, lettuce, and tomatoes from St. David, a beautiful, small town to drive through. Not too sure what else you can do there, though.
Rainbow Valley Nursery, Maricopa, AZ
T (520) 424-3464
W http://rainbowvalleynurseryaz.com
Farmers Cheese, seasoned butters, and gnocchi.
50 Mile Farms, Tucson, AZ
joshua@50milefarms.com
Currently only growing Bibb lettuce, which sells out quick.
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