Sierra Vista Farmers Markets Update for 08-15-19

The Inflorescent Stem – –
If I say the word fig… what is the first word that comes to mind? Many of you are probably thinking of a famous scientist. While the fig is one of most ancient fruits consumed by humans, today more people seem to know what a Fig Newton tastes like than the actual natural fruit from which these popular fruit cookies are made. Starting in 1891 the Fig Newton was one of the first machine produced cookies in the US. Today over 1 billion of these fig cookies are consumed each year. 

But I digress, this week’s article is not about one of the most popular cookies ever invented but the fruit from which it is made. The fig, or Ficus carica is a deciduous tree in the mulberry family. This flowering plant is native to the Middle East and parts of Asia and has been widely consumed by humans for several millenniums.

Biologically the fig is a real wonder. The “fruit” of a fig is actually an inflorescence (group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem) that grow inside a syconium. In other words, the “fruit” of a fig is actually an enlarged part of the stem inside of which multiple unisexual flowers grow. You never get to see a fig flower because its flowers bloom inside its infructescence.

For you Fig Newton lovers, I hate to break it to you but when the package says “made with real fruit” that is not biologically correct. Because the fig is actually an infructescence or scion of the fig tree, it is more accurately a “false fruit” or hollow ended stem that contains many flowers and seeds. But don’t expect Nabisco to rebrand their cookies any time soon. “Made with real flowering fig stems” just doesn’t have the same ring to it as “made with real fruit”.

By the way, for those of you wondering how the fig flowers get pollinated since its flowers grow inside the stem of a fig tree, you might be surprised to learn that some varieties are self pollinated but others require the help of a fig wasp. On the bottom of many varieties of figs are a small orifice called an ostiole. This opening allows a specialized fig wasp (Blastophaga psenes) to enter the stem and pollinate the fig flowers. For you deep thinkers out there, here’s a question for you. What came first, the fig or the fig wasp?

Health Benefits of the Fig
One of the best known health benefits of figs is that they are packed with fiber. One medium sized fig contains 5% of the recommended daily value of fiber. Figs are also a great source of vitamin B6, copper, pantothenic acid, potassium and trace amounts of manganese.  I know you’ve probably heard that legend has it humans once wore fig leaves, but did you know that you can also eat them?

In some cultures fig leaves are known for their healthful properties. In fact, some studies have shown that fig leaves have Insulin moderating properties. In animal studies fig leaves have been shown to lower triglycerides. In vitro studies of fig leaves have also shown that they inhibit some types of cancer cell growth. Scientist have yet to determine the exact reason fig leaves produce these promising results.

This Week at the Market
For a few more weeks it will be fig season at the Sierra Vista Farmers Market. If you’ve never tried these delicious and healthful flowering stems then now is your chance. Fresh fig season is rather short, but right now our vendors have Brown Turkey and Black Mission figs. You might also find a few Kadota and Calimyrna figs if you are lucky.

We have more than figs at the market this week though. You’ll also find fresh watermelons, canteloupe, pears, peaches, apples, plums, pluots, tomatoes, beans, and okra to name just a few of the many delicious fruits and vegetables our vendors have for you this week. Remember we also have natural range fed beef and lamb,  fresh baked food, pastries, cakes, and lots more. Please see below for a full listing of all our vendors and the great products they’ll be bringing for you.

Vendors Spotlight

White Cane Salmon
If you are looking for some fresh frozen Alaskan salmon, Ian with White Cane Salmon will be at the market this week. Ian has salmon portions, fillets, and ground salmon.

Beatty’s Orchard
This week Edith will have Early Gold Apples. She tells us that they are great eating apples, excellent for pies, and apple sauce. Their small size is great for children and their thin skin is great for cooking. Edith will also have some Rhubarb, Gravenstein apples and some Blue Plums. For those of you who have been asking about Edith’s Rhubarb now is your chance to stop by and pick some up.

The Ketoluscious Bakery
New to the Sierra Vista Farmers Market is veteran owned home bakery The Ketoluscious Bakery. Janet bakes all her goods according to Keto best practices. Her baked goods are grain free, gluten free, and sugar free.

This Week at Ketoluscious:
Bagels, loaves of bread, cobblers, sandies, brownies, and crumb cake muffins.
New this week: almond cookies, pizza crusts, lemon bars, strawberry cupcakes, mixed berry muffins, hamburger buns.

Special Announcements and Events

 BASA – Promoting Sustainable Agriculture – this week
Christie Brown with BASA will be at the market this week. Baja Arizona Sustainable Agriculture’s (BASA)  mission is to help create and expand local sustainable food systems in Southern Arizona that promote the health and well-being of the natural world and the people who live here. BASA is dedicated to educating the public on the importance of a sustainable food and agriculture system that is economically viable, environmentally sound, socially just, and humane. Special instruction on how to harvest mesquite beans will be available as well.

Queen Ceviche Demo – August 22
Feliz with Queen Ceviche will be demonstrating how to make some of the most refreshing summertime drinks around with her Hibiscus lemonade concentrate.

Chile Festival – August 29th
On the 29th of August, Chris Ochoa will be at the market with his Big Jim chilies. Big Jims are a medium heat “Hatch” variety chile. Chris will be roasting chiles for you as part of our celebration of this great southwestern vegetable. A special thanks to Aaron Cardona for helping make this possible.

SNAP – Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program
The Sierra Vista Farmers Market now accepts SNAP and Double Up benefits. Just visit our information booth near the center of the market to swipe your cards. Remember you can use them for all produce, dairy products, meats, spices, baked goods, and frozen ready-to eat meals (such as lasagna), plants that produce edibles like tomato plants and herbs. Double Up is only redeemable for Arizona grown fruits and vegetables, though.

Ride Vista Transit to the Market for FREE
Did you know that you can ride Vista Transit from their Coronado/Wilcox station to the farmers market for free each Thursday? That’s right, it’s free. If the traffic is a bit much for you at the market each week you can park your car at the Coronado/Wilcox station and Vista Transit will deliver you safe and sound to the market. With pick up and drop off every half hour, you can do your shopping and get a ride back to your car without any inconvenience. Pick up at the station is on the hour and half hour. At the market pick up is at 15 and 45 after.  Give it a try and be sure to thank your driver and the City of Sierra Vista for their great service.

Musical Entertainment This Week:

Music this week will be brought to you by the talented Simmons Family Band

We hope to see you all at the Market this week!

This Week’s Weather Forecast

This Weeks Vendors
(Vendors are Alphabetized – attendance at Thursdays market subject to change without notice)

– – Vendor Grown – – Agricultural and Produce Vendors with the – – Vendor Grown – – seal are known to grow at least 85% of the products they sell.
– – Vendor Brokered – – Agricultural and Produce Vendors with the – – Vendor Brokered – – seal do not grow a majority of the produce they sell and are known to purchase a majority of their products from third parties.

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This section is under construction – thank you for your patience.

Ancestral Herbals
Ancestral Herbals has a new lotion refill station.

Arevalos Farms – – Vendor Grown – –
Aaron Cardona with Arevalos Farms has a wide variety of seasonal vegetables such as water melon, canteloupe, okra, carrots, onions, beets, and canned vegetables.

Backyard Gardening & Growing – – Vendor Grown – –
Zane and Noah Struse will bring onions, cherry tomatoes, eggplant, cucumbers, okra, peppers, apples, pears, pluots, yellow and white peaches.

Beatty’s Orchard – – Vendor Grown – –
Edith has the newest apples and rhubarb.

Bisbee Balms
Frena with Bisbee Balm will have her all natural lemongrass essential oil insect repellent which she has been selling for five years to protect humans and animals from those nasty seasonal insect bites. She’ll also have organic salves for summer issues, insect bites, and stings. All Frena’s products are “kid-safe and friendly”.

Big Skye Baker
Bodie with Big Skye Bakers always has tasty baked goods for you to try.

Big Woody’s

Hot lunch at the market with Sonoran hotdogs, pulled pork, or nachos.

Café Cultiva
Jesse and Jessica will have fresh brewed coffee by the cup. They will also have fresh roasted whole beans from Guatemala, Colombia, Costa Rica, and India. If you need your beans ground they’ll be happy to do so while you wait. If you have a sweet tooth ask them about their been to bar chocolate.

Celestial Breads
Celeste with Celestial breads makes fresh calzones and Stromboli every week. Try their chicken calzone with Chef Scotty’s garlic sauce or beef calzone with his famous marinara sauce; both have two cheeses added (mozzarella and cheddar).

Desert Oasis Soap
Greg brings a wide variety of soaps to the market every week. Ask him for his favorite scent.

Designs by Copper Canyon
Nancy with Copper Canyon has a great selection of hand made bags, pillows, skirts and tops as well as a wide assortment of hand made home décor items to brighten your home.

Dolce Amore
Teresa will NOT be at the market until October.

Echoing Hope Ranch – – Vendor Grown – –
Echoing Hope Ranch will be bring a variety of produce and greens grown down on the beautiful San Pedro River. If you want to help support a great cause, stop by Echoing Hope’s booth and ask them about how they are changing the lives of children and adults with autism. While you are there pick up one of the their t-shirts and help them get the word out about their mighty efforts to fight autism.

Emu Enterprise – – Vendor Grown – –
For those wool spinners in the area; it has been a nice summer with the yak shedding a lot of winter wool.  Please stop by the Emu Enterprises booth to see and feel the texture of a great wool for yarn.  Fine in texture – yak wool is one of the top in the world.  Wool is cleaned, but not washed; which spinners have a special technique for their washing.  . (Blurb courtesy of Roger T.)

Fizzy Wonders
Will Not be at the market this week.

Four King’s Kitchen
April brings a good assortment of home-made granola to the market each week.

Ginny’s Eclectic Kitchen
Ginny makes fresh sourdough bread for you every week. But it is not only her baking that makes this sourdough so delicious. She has to “feed” her sourdough leavening starter every day to keep it “alive” and healthy. Ginny only uses unbleached, unbromated, unenriched wheat flour, so come and sample her bread or some of her scrumptious sweet treats.

Golden Rule Dairy – – Vendor Grown – –
Remember to pick up your raw milk and cream at Golden Rule Dairy. For those of you who like granola the Stride family makes their own healthy granola. They also offer kefir grains. Oh, and not to leave out Fido, the Stride’s also have a variety of deer antlers which make great dog chews. Must be an acquired taste…

Gracewater Farm
Trudy brings seedlings and other plants each week. You’ll find her in Ginny’s booth at Eclectic Kitchen.

Gray’s Garden of Eat’N – – Vendor Grown – –

Greenstone Pottery & Crafts
Charlatta and Eric are full-blooded Navajo and proud of their heritage. They gave a new assortment of fine Sterling silver jewelry.

Hilltop Hydroponics – – Vendor Grown – –
For some of the most beautiful lettuce and greens around be sure to stop by Tom Hanson’s booth. Tom has living lettuce and spring mix available as well as kale. If you ask, Tom will tell you about how he grows his greens hydroponically.

Hone Ranger
Scott the Hone Ranger will sharpen just about anything you bring to the market.

Horton Farms –– – Vendor Grown – –
 Will NOT be at the market this week.

Incredible Snacks
Each week David brings an incredible assortment of dried fruit and nuts.

Just-A-Pinch – – Vendor Grown – –
Michael Burgess with Just-A-Pinch will have his culinary herbs. Treat yourself this week to fresh mint, and basil. Buy it by the ounce freshly cut at the market or take home a healthy plant. Still available are his Egyptian walking onions.

K-1 Kreations
K-1 owner Kris is one of our regular vendors. Her product line includes aprons, coaster, pot holders, dish rags, table runners, and tote bags made out of unique fabric patterns. She loves special orders and will customize anything, even cloth pin bags or a grocery bag holder, just ask her.

Ketoluscious Bakery
Janet will bring new Keto item this week.

Krazy Koyote Kettle Corn & Smoothies

La Pina Raw Juice
If you haven’t been to the market recently, come on by and try Alexa’s incredible raw juices. With only the best ingredients Alexa uses a vertical “slow” juicer which helps keep all of the goodness (enzymes, phytonutrients) alive in her raw juices. The result is the best tasting raw juice available. Did I say it tastes delicious? My favorite is the Apple – Ginger – Turmeric – Lemon blend. It’s refreshing with a nice tangy bite at the end.

Alexa also has Kangen Water, a filtered/ionized water produced by Enagic – a Japan-based company who has been a leading manufacturer of alkaline ionizers/water filtration for over 40 years. Alexa is happy to give you samples of her juice and water. So make sure you stop by and give it a try.

Lazy KJ Ranch
Stuart with the Lazy KJ Ranch which specializes in “Farm to Table” all natural grass-fed pork. Stop by their booth and try their outstanding smoked pork ribs, BBQ pork sandwich, white truffle fries with parmesan~romano, double stacked nachos, burritos, and air fried quesadillas. All prepared fresh table side. This week Stuart is offering ribs by the bone along with amazing BBQ pork any way you like it.

Lasagna and More
Chef Scotty will be at the market this week with his mouth watering Lasagna. A consistent favorite at the Sierra Vista Farmers Market, these ready made meals will delight your family for dinner tonight. If you are wondering what the “more” is in Lasagna & More you might also like one of Chef Scotty’s killer burritos. Scottie makes a two meat (beef/pork) burrito as well as a six vegetable vegan burrito. Just a note, all of Chef Scotty’s burritos are lard free.

Lettuce Man – – Vendor Grown – –

Donna will NOT be at the market.

Maggie’s Dog Treats & Accessories
Zia specializes in all natural treats for your pets that do not contain any chemicals or artificial flavors. Treat your pets right and stop by Zia’s booth.

McDonald Farm
 Donna will NOT be at the market this week.

Mustang Mountain Eggs

Mistik Valley Farms – – Vendor Grown – –
Mistik Valley Farms, a group of young growers, who offer home-grown produce such as salad mix, lettuce mix, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and other greens. They harvest the day before market and hand-wash all their greens. Their farm is outside of Bisbee. Come welcome them and check out their produce.

Papa Mike‘s Jerky
Papa Mike and his much loved beef jerky will be at the market this week. Papa Mike has a flavor for everybody so come and find your favorite. His best selling jerky is mesquite flavored and the chili lemon.

Pappardelles Pasta
Erin will NOT be at the market this week.

Peace, Love, & Smoked Cheese

Mickey is back this week with a new assortment of smoked cheeses.

Queen Ceviche
This week Feliz has more of her spicy red salsa (with oregano) as well as red chipotle salsa. The chipotle has a slight smoky flavor after your first bite. Don’t forget to try her guacamole or of course her royally delicious ceviche- all are available with a bag of fresh tortilla chips. Feliz will quench your thirst this week with her ice cold hibiscus lemonade. If spicing up your life is more your speed then try Feliz’s salsa or guacamole.

Ruth’s Garden – – Vendor Grown – –
This week Ruth will be bringing beautiful tomatoes and squash as well as many varieties of succulents. Many new herbs in small pots, tomato plants, geraniums and betting plants. Ruth’s Garden also carries organic fertilizers to feed those heavy feeders (plants).

San Pedro River Valley Salsa
Gary will NOT be at the market this week.

San Ysidro Farms – – Vendor Grown – –
If you are looking for quality grass fed beef or lamb for your next meal or special occasion, Nathan Watkins of San Ysidro Farms will be at the market this week. Nathan has a 100% grass fed beef and lamb. Their heritage cross pigs provide their fine pork If that’s not on your menu tonight then you might try their alfalfa fed and non-GMO grain supplemented pork from their heritage cross pigs. Make sure to ask him about their other fine meat products as well. If a quick bite to eat is more your speed try one of Nathan’s warm (or take home frozen) pasties (pictured).

SAS-Z Nuts – – Vendor Grown – –
If you’d like to spice up your pistachios a bit, Steve has garlic onion, green chili garlic, chili lime and hot chili in addition to premium salted pistachios.

Sky Island/47 Ranch – – Vendor Grown – –
Ranch owner Dennis Moroney tells us that he will bring their grass fed beef and lamb as well as wild Salmon from Alaska. He and his wife Deb make their own peanut butter from certified organic peanuts. Also, they bring all natural churro sheep wool in a variety of colors (no dye added at all).

Simmons Honey Ranchito
The Simmons are restocked on watermelon jelly and canteloupe-pineapple-orangemjam ( a sweet marmelade). Their Pickeled Fire ( Bread & Butter pickles with jalapenos) is a great pick for the season. The have many vafrieties of Local Arizona Honey which is the finest of the Arizona honey crops. Try the popular Mesquite honey or fresh honey comb. There is a limited supply of chicken eggs available.

Fun Honey Fact: Did you know: Honey is a natural sweetener (sweeter than table sugar) mostly composed of fructose and glucose and about 18% water (the lesser water content the better the quality of the honey). It is rich in antioxidants, fat free, and cholesterol free. Honey is an excellent energy food, so make sure you stash a few honey stix in your hiking backpack, it might just give you that extra edge to make it there and back.

Sivonn’s Garden – – Vendor Grown – –
Fresh backyard garden produce by Sivonn. Seasonal greens and other produce.

Super Natural Organics – – Vendor Brokered – –

Sweet Arizona
Roger and Debra will bringing fudhe, brittle, and toffee.

Tawin’s Gardens and Crafts
Tawin’s garden not only brings potted plants and succulents, but she is a whiz with her crochet needle, come check out her cute little cacti and Yodas. They make great souvenirs or gifts for the grandchildren.

Thunder Mountain Alpaca Ranch

Tortilla Arevaloes aka Esperanza

Hot lunch at the market or take home her much-sought after tortillas, also available gluten free.

Toy’s Eggrolls

Tigerlily Boba Tea

White Cane Salmon
 Ian is bringing salmon fillets.