Sierra Vista Farmers Markets Update for 12-12-2019

Beans, Breads, and Oranges – – –
This week we are happy to let you know that two of our long time vendors will be back. Irma Estrada with Estrada Citrus will have her freshly picked Phoenix oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit.  She’ll be bagging them for you at the market. So if you are looking for oranges to make some fresh squeezed orange juice or just some sweat citrus to snack on, be sure to stop by Irma’s booth and welcome her back.

Also returning this week will be Aaron Cardona with Arevalos Farms. Just in time for the holidays, Arevalos Farms will have their dry bean Frijol Mechudo. They’ll also be bringing butternut, acorn and spaghetti squash, pie pumpkins, and salad greens. Arevalos Farms also carries frozen vegetable products like pumpkin puree, hominy, green chile and green chile posole. As a special bonus Arevalos Farms will have chile ristras and red chile products from Ochoa’s Farms. Don’t forget if you plan to make tamales this holiday season be sure to order your non-gmo masa.

Baked Goods
If you are looking for some baked goods for the holidays, Celestial Breads will have fudge brownies, egg bakes and craisin white chocolate nut loaves. Katerina’s: It’s Original Greek will have Greek apple pie, almond butter cookies, Koulaonrakia (Greek cookie), Kataifi – –  shredded Fillo dough with walnuts, cinnamon, cloves, and drizzled honey.  Dolce Amore will have fine Italian tiramisu, cakes, and cookies.

Fresh Milk and Greens
Golden Rule Dairy will bring their fresh milk, cream, and eggs. Sivonn will have fresh greens like bokchoi, chard, arugula, and collards. Hilltop Hydroponics will be bringing living lettuce, spring mix, arugula, watercress, bokchoi, endive, micro-greens, and tomatoes.

Holiday Artisans
Remember all the month of December we invite additional artisan vendors to participate in the Sierra Vista Farmers Market. This week (to name a few) Greenstone Potttery & Crafts will be featuring their tree ornaments. Blue Oak Builders will be showcasing handmade bolt action pens made with Mexican Blue Oak, color changing bead jewelry, turquoise & silver jewelry, bottle night lights and artist license plates by Cheri. Patty & Alice will be bringing hostess aprons, kitchen towels, scrubbies, hand embroidered dish towels, and baby doll blankets. Miss Martha’s Embroidery will have her embroidery machine on hand at the market this week to personalize your items. Martha has tea towels, children’s aprons, adult aprons, fuzzy baby blankets and home décor items.

Alpacas and Llamas and Sheep, oh My!
by Lisa Thompson
Alpacas are known for producing one of the finest and silkiest fibers used in the fashion industry. Most people consider Alpaca fleece a kind of wool, but it is not. It has different texture and construction than wool.
 Alpaca do not produce lanolin which gives sheep wool a greasy, hard to clean quality which some people are allergic to. Ancient South Americans used to call Alpaca fiber the “Fiber of Gods”, because it was reserved for royal use only. It comes in a huge variety of natural colors, and also takes dye well. Alpaca fiber is three times warmer and seven times stronger than sheep or other kinds of wool. Alpaca fiber consists of natural scale-like layers of fiber, which allows the light to pass through it and gives the fiber a glossy look. Alpaca fleece is naturally water and flame resistant, and is an excellent insulator due to the fact that some of the fibers are actually hollow, trapping air inside just as feathers do.  

Llamas and alpacas are closely related species. Llamas are bigger than alpacas, they were raised to be pack animals so could carry a lot more on their backs. While both can be sheared like sheep, llamas have shorter, coarser hair. Alpacas and llamas can have babies together, they usually look like short llamas. In South America they’re called huarizos or mistis, in North America they often get the mash-up name of llapaca. Camels are famous for spitting when they’re annoyed, and as a distantly related species, alpacas will do the same. But alpacas only do this when they’re very upset. The rest of the time, they communicate with other alpacas in their herd by humming. 

So come on by Thunder Mountain Alpaca Ranch’s booth and meet some new good-natured and charmingly cute furry friends. Maybe do a little humming, feed them some treats, and get a kiss if you are lucky! While you are there, do a little Christmas shopping – everyone on your list will treasure a gift made from alpaca fiber. And, please ask about RANCH TOURS! Lisa will be home for the Holidays and will be happy to schedule a private tour for you and your visiting friends and family.

Artisans and craft vendors for your holiday shopping include: Rita Obenauf with her windchimes, Bernie & Bill Medley, Blue Oak Builders & Sierra Gems, Greenhouse Trolley Hobby Farm, Scarlet Gilia, Lindsay’s Handbags, Farmhouse Finds, Desert Owl Forge, Partty & Alice, Knot By Knot, Line & Dot by Laura Jones Martinez (ceramics), and of course Greenstone Jewelry & Pottery, Designs by Copper Canyon, and K-1 Kreations

Special Announcements and Events

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.

BASA – Promoting Sustainable Agriculture
BASA representatives will be on hand this week showcasing their sun oven. They’ll also have their special cookbooks.

Musical Entertainment This Week:

For your enjoyment music this week will be by 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.  Now you can bring your previously purchased plastic bottles and refill for $1.30 per oz or bring your own clean bottles as well. This week Julee will have pH balanced shampoo bars as well as conditioner bars with green ingredients that are nourishing – and that means no waste and no pollution!

Arevalos Farms – – Vendor Grown – –
 Also returning this week will be Aaron Cardona with Arevalos Farms. Just in time for the holidays, Arevalos Farms will have their dry bean Frijol Mechudo. They’ll also be bringing butternut, acorn and spaghetti squash, pie pumpkins, and salad greens. Arevalos Farms also carries frozen vegetable products like pumpkin puree, hominy, green chile and green chile posole. As a special bonus Arevalos Farms will have chile ristras and red chile products from Ochoa’s Farms. Don’t forget if you plan to make tamales this holiday season be sure to order your non-gmo masa.

Backyard Gardening & Growing – – Vendor Grown – –
Noah Struse will bring onions, apples such as Grannie Smith, Gala, and Autumn apple, sweet potatoes, and arugula and bok choi.

Baetty’s Apple Orchard
Tom Jr. will bring lots of Granny Smith, Fuji, Yellow Delicious, Bert’s Special and No name. 

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

Big Woody’s

Travis will NOT be at the market, but Garrett with Po Boys To Geaux has a large variety of new lunch items for you.

Beatty’s Orchard – – Vendor Grown – –
Edith Beatty will be at the market this week with her Miller Canyon apples. Edith will have more than 10 varieties for you to enjoy.

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 will have fudge brownies, egg bakes and craisin white chocolate nut loaves.

Desert Oasis Soap
Greg has a large variety of soaps which make great Christmas gifts. Ask him for his favorite scent.

Designs by Copper Canyon
Nancy with Copper Canyon has a great selection of microwave plate warmers, grocery bags, tea towels, refashioned clothing such as skirts, tunics, and dresses, denim aprons, men’s aprons, table runners, and special orders.

Dolce Amore
Teresa with Dolce Amore bakes Italian specialties for you. Try her coffee tiramisu or strawberry tiramisu.

Emu Enterprise – – Vendor Grown – –
Roger Taber will NOT be at the market this week.

Esperanza with Arevalos Tortilla
She will have a variety of tamales, gluten free and regular tortillas, burritos, tacos, and carne asada lunch item for you to enjoy at the market.

Four King’s Kitchen
April will NOT be at the market this week.

Ginny’s Eclectic Kitchen
Ginny makes fresh sourdough bread for you every week. Look for San Pedro River Valley Salsa at her booth.

Golden Rule Dairy – – Vendor Grown – –
Remember to pick up your raw milk and cream at Golden Rule Dairy. 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. They also have fresh chicken eggs.

Gracewater Farm
Trudy brings organic sourdough bread and a variety of herbal teas.

Greenstone Pottery & Crafts
Charlatta and Eric are full-blooded Navajo and proud of their heritage.  Their pride and skill bring you genuine hand made Navajo artisan works that you will not find anywhere else at the market.  —- This week Greenstone will have Christmas Ornaments and native jewelry. 

Hilltop Hydroponics – – Vendor Grown – –
This week Tom has  European cucumbers and Basil plants. 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.

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

 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.

Krazy Koytote 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 this week.

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. This week, Zia is featuring a special bag to keep all your pup’s important information safe and close by..

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

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.

Pour Boys To Geaux
Garrett has  alarge variety of new lunch specials for you to try.

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.

San Ysidro Farms – – Vendor Grown – –
 Nathan will NOT be at the market this week, but he’ll return on the 21st.

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 
 Their local mesquite honey is now in season and its the largest crop of the year, its light amber color is beautiful reminder of the wild desert mesquite from which it originates.

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 – –

Jack will Not be at the market this week.

Sweet Arizona
Roger and Debra will be bringing a large selection of homemade toffee, brittle and fudge. All their products are always naturally gluten, soy and preservative free. They also have dairy free, vegan and nut free options available. Ask them about their market special.

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.

Toy’s Eggrolls

Tigerlily Boba Tea

White Cane Salmon
Randy with White Cane Sockeye Salmon will bring Ling cod (8 oz), smoked sockeye and lox, 8 oz halibut and sockeye portions, sockeye filet in 1.5 to 2 lb. sides, King crab legs, Burger meat to make fish cakes.