Sierra Vista Farmers Market Vendor Update for 9-9-2021 – –

A day In the Life Of – The Sierra Vista Farmers’ Market

A day In the Life Of – The Sierra Vista Farmers’ Market

By Uncle Ralph (Ralph Wildermuth) 8 September 2021

Tomorrow the Farmers’ Market opens at 10AM and closes at 2PM.

New products usually hit the world market with great fanfare. Some new introductions are stand-alone affairs when a developer wants to regale their new product, but some come in multiples at the same time. International Expositions or “World’s Fairs” as they are known, were always good places to release to the world a new-fangled product of some kind. These affairs were attended by exhibitors from around the world who jumped at the chance to enter the market to great fanfare. Not only would there be tremendous crowds for the unveiling, it would be seen by masses from around the world at the same time.

Since the mid-19th century there have been more than 100 world’s fairs hosted by more than 20 countries throughout the world. Of these, 30% of them have been hosted here in the USA, beginning with New York’s “The Exhibition of the Arts & Industries of All Nations” in 1853-4. It opened on July 14,1853, a Thursday of all days (I see a pattern here, think our Market Day), and closed, they say, on October 30, 1854. The average cost of a ticket was $0.47 in 1853 and dropped to $0.44 in 1854. Only two new-fangled items were introduced to the public? Eli Otis’s new elevator and a new sewing machine. But it started a tradition of exhibiting new items for the world to see.

Now jumping ahead 11 American World’s Fairs to probably one of the most important ones, the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, “The Louisiana Purchase Exposition”, had given time for inventors and exhibitors to perfect the idea of introducing more new inventions to the masses at these events. The gates opened on April 30, 1904 and closed on December 1, 1904 after a 185-day run attended by 19,694,855 people. There were 43 nations and 19 colonies participating and the cost of admission had only risen a few pennies since the first one to $0.50.

Those summer and fall months in Missouri saw the introduction of a multiple of delicious culinary delights to the masses. Classic American fast food essentially appeared overnight in eastern Missouri. More new American foods were either invented or made popular at the 1904 World’s Fair than during any other single event in history. Just think about it, if the world’s fair had not happened American foodways would be almost unrecognizable.

It is said that fairgoers were the first to enjoy puffed rice cereal, the ice cream cone, French’s mustard, and the popularization of Dr. Pepper, cotton candy, the club sandwich, hot dogs, iced tea, hamburgers, peanut butter, Cracker Jacks, and roller-coaster rides. Even the Agriculture Pavilion would take a nine mile walk just to see it all.

Now I know what you are thinking, hot dogs (and, similarly, iced tea and hamburgers and maybe all of the food items) were likely made long before the fair — either by local immigrants or by others around the country or the world, but this was the first time they were mass marketed to the crowds of people at one time during the 1904 World’s Fair. Stories abound about some of the supposedly invented food items.

For instance, the hotdog. Anton Feuchtwanger, a concessionaire gave out white gloves to hold his steamed sausages while patrons ate them. Unfortunately, so many patrons walked off with the gloves that he had to have his brother-in-law bake buns to hold the meat, voila, the hotdog.

Ernest Hamwi, a Syrian-born waffle concessionaire noticed that the ice cream vendor next to him ran out of the small glass cups that he used for his ice cream, so Hamwi rolled up one of his thinner waffles and scooped in some ice cream, voila, the ice cream cone.

It was quite hot that summer and many patrons were passing up on Richard Blechynden’s, the Tea Commissioner in the India Pavilion, cups of hot tea so, in desperation he poured the tea over ice. The America iconic or not? Not. More than 30 years before the fair in 1868, a widely circulated newspaper ran an article about how “iced tea with lemon juice is said to be a popular and healthy drink.” It came with instructions on how to make it. It also appeared in numerous late-19th-century cookbooks.

As to the hamburger, it was said that Fletcher “Old Dave” Davis, a lunch counter operator from Athens, Texas came to the fair to introduce what he thought was a new invention he had of putting a patty of ground beef between two slices of bread. The local German-born St. Louis residents called it a “hamburger” after the German citizens of Hamburg Germany who had a fondness for ground meat.  Unfortunately, references to a hamburg steak had appeared in print before the civil war and references to “hamburger” being served as a sandwich dated back to the 1880s, decades before the fair.In all fairness we must remember this world’s fair happened in an era before mass communication and jet travel. Here in one location the wonders of the world were spotlighted. It is what people from around the world associated these foods with. In their minds it was the first time for these items and therefore marked their beginnings.

Also, at that time American foodways were changing and the fair can be remembered for capturing the new culture of eating in the modern world.

The 1904 World’s Fair is also the starting point for today’s discussion. Even though the big-ticket introduction, the one that made St. Louis the most famous American World’s Fair of all time was the ice cream cone, I want to talk about another of the new culinary delights introduced at that famous World’s Fair. If you have a sweet tooth pay close attention.

Now what if I were to mention “fairy dust” to you, you might conjure up a very small, even tiny creature with wings and pointed ears flitting through the air dropping dust particles everywhere they go. Now what if I mention “fairy floss”, what picture does that conjure in your mind?

I’ll give you a little help. In 1897, a dentist by the name of William Morrison teamed up with Nashville candy-maker John C. Wharton to invent an electrical machine. This contraption used centrifugal force to spin and melt sugar through small holes. The end result was called “Fairy Floss”. Though the machine was patented on January 31, 1899, Patent #618,428, the end product was not introduced to the masses until the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis five years later.

Dr. Morrison and his partner managed to sell 68,665 boxes of the Fairy Floss at $0.25 a box, half the cost of admission to the fair. When you consider that the average yearly wage at the time was between $200 and $400, they took in a fortune of $17,163.75. Using today’s dollars that amounted to $5.99 a box and they grossed $410.000. Interestingly, Dr. Morrison later went on to become the President of the Tennessee State Dental Association.

Around the same time, 1900, Thomas Patton was experimenting with caramelizing sugar. He built a gas-fired rotating plate to spin the sugar, and formed threads of the sugar with a fork. He also patented his creation. Patton supposedly showcased his cotton candy like treat at the Ringling Brothers Circus in 1900, but since the Ringling Brothers did not join up with Barnum and Bailey until several years later, in 1919, this may not be true.

The idea of spinning sugar actually started out many years earlier in Italy in the 1400s. It was then called “spun sugar.” A process where sugar was melted in a pan then using a fork made into strings of sugar over an upside-down bowl. The sugar dried and was served as a dessert. This was a laborious time-consuming process and wasn’t practical in the least – especially not for mass production.

A few years later in 1921, along comes another dentist, Joseph Lascaux who creates a similar type of machine that spins sugar that he called “Cotton Candy.” Fairy Dust became Cotton Candy and the name stuck from then on.

By the 1950s cotton candy was a staple of the midway of every traveling carnival and small-town amusement park. Several companies marketed cotton candy machines, the largest of which was Gold Metal Products, who dubbed their machine the “Whirlwind” and sold all the accessories to make and market the treat.

It took 22 years for inventors to come up with an automatic cotton candy making machine, greatly speeding up the production process.

So, you see, all in all, four people are credited with the creation of cotton candy: Dr. William Morrison, John C. Wharton, Thomas Patton, Josef Delarose Lascaux. Two of them were dentists, so remember that the next time a dentist tells you not to eat too many sweets, remind him that it took two dentists to create cotton candy.

Interesting that two dentists were credited with making a sugary substance, frowned on by all the dentists I have ever met, but in actuality cotton candy has less sugar than some of the other things kids are often given. It only takes about 30 grams of sugar to make a typical serving size of cotton candy, which is about 9 grams less than a 12 ounce can of Coke. It has no fat, sodium or carbohydrates.

Just for a fun note: The longest cotton candy was created in July 2009 and measured 1,400 m long—about the same length as 14 football fields! It took six hours to make the gigantic treat.

Again, the end of the circle comes around. Did you know that we have our own purveyor of cotton candy right here at the Market? Chris and Bombshell Sweets has been with us since February of this year.

Chris has been making cotton candy for going on two years now. Not only does he have his own franchise of Bombshell Sweets here in southern Arizona, he is part owner of the parent company Bombshell Sweets out of Hayden, Idaho, that his friend, since high school, started a few years ago.

The parent company’s footprint is mainly in the Pacific Northwest serving Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Utah. But the company is expanding at the moment and now has new licensees in East Central Indiana and Tennessee. Along with northern Arizona.

Bombshell Sweets is a gourmet cotton candy company looking to re-invent the cotton candy industry. Most cotton candy that you find, until recently, comes in three colors; pink, blue, and yellow which are not really flavors as the midway vendors probably wanted something cheap and believed the flavor from the sugar itself was enough. The idea of adding flavors to the cotton candy is a relatively new concept.

Plain cotton candy is okay, but Chris and his friend believe otherwise. As Chris says, “cotton candy is a wasted resource”. He went on to talk about what it could be. Think about it, it melts in your mouth on the tip of your tongue so why not make it something that not only kids but adults would like. Bring a great flavor right along with it. They now have over 50 different flavors that get rotated on a weekly or seasonal basis.

Their most popular selling flavor, by far, is Blue Sky, a blueberry lemonade flavor. The Huckleberry flavor varieties are also popular. They even have a Huckleberry Jalapeno Lemonade flavor for the more daring connoisseurs. In fact, the spicy Ghost Pepper Punch flavor is credited with launching the company. Their Signature Collection of flavors include the Blue Sky, the Huckleberry Lemonade, the Cherry Tootsie Pop, and the flagship Ghost Pepper Punch.

Other collections include the “Coffee House” with Caramel Macchiato or the “Livations” with Champagne (currently sold out) or their “Seasonal & Unique” featuring Santa’s Beard and Black Licorice, the “Sweets” with Rootbeer and Bubblegum, the “Fruity” with such greats as I’m Your Huckleberry or What-A-Melon, and of course the “Spicy” collection featuring such flavors as “Fireball”, “Don’t Fear The Reaper” and “Mango Habanero” with of course the “Ghost Pepper Punch.”

The cotton candy is made with a specially formulated cane sugar and is gluten free, GMO free, and nut free. They do have a nut flavored cotton candy that is made with artificial syrups that are nut free, called Monkey Business, a banana hazelnut.

Research is ongoing to develop a sugar free version. The normal resources either are not favorable enough or burn before they liquify so they are turning to alternatives sources such as monk fruit. On the back burner is also a dye free version for those who have an intolerance to certain dyes.

Now is the time to try something new and exciting if you have a sweet tooth for cotton candy and a desire for not only a sugar high but a sugar high with your favorite flavor. Stop by and say “Hi” to Chris and sample some of the best tasting cotton candy this side of St. Louis.

Vendor Updates
Please see the vendor listings below with updated vendor information and the products they will be bringing.  Please keep in mind the social distancing while you shop at the market.

Market Hours: Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm at Veteran’s Memorial Park.

SNAP and Double UP food bucks available at the info booth.

NOTE: Pick up free Herald Review newspaper at the info booth.

Music Entertainment: Pat Panther

BASA is a volunteer board non-profit with a mission: “to promote local, sustainable food production, marketing and education in southern Arizona.

Webpage: http://basamesquite.org/
Webblog: http://bajaaz.blogspot.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/125627894978189
Email: brownchristie1@gmail.com

Updated Vendor Listing & Contact Information

– – 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.

Produce & Plant Vendors

Allred Family Fungi – – Vendor Grown –
Oyster mushrooms and other varieties.

Awareness Ranch
Local produce (mint, basil, cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, bok choy) from Tucson area

Backyard Gardening & Growing  – – Vendor Grown –
Onions- Red, white, and yellow. Cucumbers (Armenian, suyo, and lemon), beets. Gala and Pixie crunch apples and pears (Asian & Bartlett), Peaches and Okra.

Beatty’s Orchard – – Vendor Grown –

Edith will NOT be at the market
For more information please visit one of their links: Website
520-378-2728 or 520-678-9443

Echoing Hope Ranch – – Vendor Grown –
Variety of greens and herbs from their green house.
Kale, radishes, lettuce and more.

Horton’s Farm  – – Vendor Grown –

Cucumbers, Garlic, onions, Eggplant, chilies, patty pan squash, lettuce mix, radish, zucchini, tatsoi, red Russian kale, and beets.
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Just A Pinch – – Vendor Grown –
Michael will be back soon.
(520-234-3254), email (justapinchllc@yahoo.com),

Ruth’s Garden

Fall is definitely here! The last of the apples and white peaches are being picked ready for Thursday. The tomatoes are continuing to ripen. We have a large amount of large cherry tomatoes which can be made into tomato sauce, pizza sauce or spaghetti sauce. Mixed with fresh herbs I freeze containers of sauce ready for use during the winter. Sold by the pd a variety of colors can be a great nutritional advantage.

Fresh herbs will also be available. RECYCLE with us egg cartons, plastic containers (small). at Ruth’s Hens and Garden

The Lettuce Man’s Daughter – – Vendor Grown –
Donna will NOT be at the market this week.
Salad mix, red and green leaf lettuce, spinach, kale, and young bok choi

SAS-Z Nuts – – Vendor Grown –
Locally Grown Pistachios
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Sivonn’s Garden – – Vendor Grown –
Fresh Seasonal Garden Produce such as mushrooms, salad mix, collards.

Tawin’s Gardens and Crafts – – Vendor Grown –

Seasonal Garden Plants

Triple J & R – – Vendor Grown –

“We are a family providing homegrown microgreens and sprouts. We carry a varied selection of microgreens and sprouts grown hydroponically on food safe screens using only pH balanced water and food grade nutrients for microgreen growth. If you don’t see one you like just let us know and we will grow it for you. Email us at triplej&r@arizonaremountstation.net or give us a call at (520) 266-2479. Our Website is arizonaremountstation.net.”

Meat, Milk, Egg & Honey Vendors

Emu Enterprise – – Vendor Grown –

Roger will NOT be at the market.
For more information please contact Roger at: 520-585-6148 or email:
circlet@juno.com for orders

Golden Rule Dairy – – Vendor Grown – –
NEW: Raw butter and Ghee.
Golden Rule Dairy Special: Their very own chicken eggs!
Fresh Raw Milk, Cream, and Dairy Products and their yummy granola.
Golden Rule Dairy Special eggs will be available in July and August.
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook
Instagram-  golden_rule_dairy
goldenruledairy@gmail.com
www.goldenruledairy.com
520-210-2857

L&B Farm
Burt will be at the market on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th , and 5th Thursday of every month.
Frozen chicken and lamb, fresh eggs

Papa Mike‘s Jerky 
Locally Made Jerky
For more information please visit one of their links: Website Facebook

Rocky Creek Ranch
Duck, chicken, and quail eggs

San Ysidro Farm – – Vendor Grown – -,
Jackie will NOT be at the market (every first Thursday) with beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey and frozen pasties.
email jackie.syf@gmail.com
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook

Sky Island/47 Ranch – – Vendor Grown – –

– Locally Raised Range fed Criollo Beef, and Navajo Churro Lamb.
All natural, no hormones, no antibiotics, and no grain feeding.
– Wild caught sockeye salmon from Naknek Fisheries, Bristol Bay, Alaska.
– Apple or Mesquite smoked bacon from Willcox Packing House (uncured bacon, nitrite, and nitrate free), pork chorizo, and pork sausage.
– Homemade Cowboy Style Peanut butter (made with slightly-roasted organic peanuts, no salt or sugar added).

YouTube Channel (Ranching in the Right Hemisphere): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrfx3NWeUSGZ7KOnV8XL4tQ

For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook and YouTube
520-507-5203
crossu@vtc.net

Simmons Honey Ranchito 

Our many varieties of local honey will be available in one pound jars up to one gallon jugs.
520-364-2745, no text, no call id
520-368-2039 text welcome
simmonshoney1@powerc.net

Baked Goods & Snack Vendors

Designs by Copper Canyon
New: Gluten-free breads.
Delicious truffles and sweet & savory breads.
Home decor items.
coppercanyonind@gmail.com

Ginny’s Eclectic Kitchen
Crumb coffee cake, oatmeal sandwich cookies, sourdough, and another fun bread.
Instagram is @ginnyseclectickitchen

Celestial Breads
Celeste will NOT be at the market.
Fresh Baked Goods and Prepared Foods
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

5 Nut Granola by Better Than Provisions

Better Than Provisions 5 Nut Granola is a nutrient dense, grain-free, sugar-free granola made with a premium 5 nut blend (macadamia, almond, pecan, walnut, and hazelnut) plus organic pumpkin seeds, coconut flakes, and spices. It suits a variety of dietary preferences including keto, paleo, vegan, gluten-free, low-carb, dairy-free, and diabetic. Available in 3 flavors.
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, facebook

Farmer’s Daughter
Cassandra will NOT be at the market during the hot season, but
for orders call 623-523-7367.
Gluten free baked goods

Incredible Snacks
An Incredible Variety of Snacks
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Katerina’s-It’s Original Greek
Kathy & Jim will be back in October.
Fresh Made Greek Baked Goods and Prepared Food
New: Artisan Greek breads.

McDonald Farm
Baked goods such as cinnamon rolls, pies, and nut bars. Fresh eggs, pecans, beans (black, pinto, 9-bean mix), chicken and duck eggs.
SAS-Z-Nuts pistachios
Leave a message for Dona 520-220-3000

Mystic Eatz
Baked goods such as quick breads, cinnamon roll muffins, and seasonal pies.

Steph’s Sweets Bakery
Stephanie will NOT be at the market (every 1st and 3rd Thursday)
Granola, cookies, muffins (all vegan)
Desert Bloom Photography &  Ray’s Leatherworks 520-368-2454

Sweet Arizona
Locally made Toffee, Brittle, & Fudge
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook
www.sweetarizona.org
520-312-5351

Sweets By Shelly
Cake pops in a wide variety of flavors, almost too pretty to eat, but oh so yummy.
Toffee and pretzels.
308-708-1680 for special or custom orders.

Wild Arizona Gardens
Kathleen will NOT be at the market this week.
Wild Arizona Garden will have pink oyster mushrooms this week. The bread selection will include na’an, green chili and cheddar bread, 5 seed bread, honey oat bread and rye bread. Also on the menu will be apple pie and strawberry rhubarb crisp. If you would like to have some held for you, please text 520-508-2494.

Personal Health & Household Vendors

Ancestral Herbals (Arizona Soap Company)

www.ArizonaSoapCompany.com
Hand made soap, lotion, balm, muscle rub, etc.
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook

Chloe’s Creations
Handmade soap.

Desert Oasis Soap
Home made Soaps
For more information please visit one of their links:Website, Facebook
desertoasissoap@outlook.com
520-822-5330
desertoasissoaps.com

Greywood Soap Company
Gabrielle and Jaimie will be back in October.
Handmade soaps.

Nature’s Premium Skin Care
Aloe Vera miracle cream

Prepared Foods & Beverage Vendors

Ascendare-Bean to Bar Chocolate
Handcrafted chocolate

Big Woody’s
Hot Dogs, Mac & Cheese, BBQ, and Pulled Pork
For more information & their menu please visit one of their links: Facebook

Bombshell Sweets
Variety of cotton candy

Café Cultiva
Fresh Coffee and Hot Beverages
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook
774-316-2328

Cliff’s Salsa
Pickles, and jalapenos and salsa

Esperanza
Pre-order tamales by calling 520-954-7782
New: Pasties
Fresh made Tortillas, Tamales, Baked Goods
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook
Esperanza will ship orders.

Crazy Coyote Concessions
Kettle Corn and Smoothies
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook
734-430-1996

Mi Burrito
Burritos from the grill with fresh salsa for lunch.

Lazy KJ Ranch
Locally Grown Organic Pork for lunch specials.
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Lasagna and More
Complete line of Take-n-Bakes, sauces, Chef Burritos, SW Spice Blend
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook

Mulcogi

Spices and herb mixes.

Queen Ceviche

Fresh Made Salsa, Ceviche, Hand Sanitizer, and  hibiscus syrup.
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook
520-904-4715

Sippin
Specialty soda drinks

Zumi Juice
Come quench your thirst with a delicious, fresh, raw, cold juice made to order at our bright orange tent.  All of our juices are made from fruit to cup with no additives, just pure goodness.  Fresh Limeade is always served.

Pet Food & Product Vendors

Maggie’s Dog Treats & Accessories
All Natural Pet Snacks and Treats
For more information please visit one of their links:
480-488-1053
ziabischoff@gmail.com

Services

Hone Ranger

Scott wants to let you know: “I’m back in a replacement vehicle with new equipment for onsite sharpening on most items and I wish to thank all those who helped, and some that still are, with my rebuild!
I am indebted to the wonderful patrons at the market, and the market itself for the opportunity to be involved w/ all of it.

Lindsay
Handmade fitted masks.
520-546-1058
meyerwill@cox.net

In Stitches
Variety of face masks,  fabric multi-use bowls and bags.

 
Artisan Vendors (are back)

Greenstone Pottery & Crafts
Hand Made Pottery, Jewelry, & Crafts
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook
520-537-4859
courage.4life4u@gmail.com
530-539-4859
greenstone.collection@gmail.com

Bernie & Bill Medley
Paintings, Custom Frames and Woodwork
Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.
For more information please visit one of their links:

Promise Farm LLC & Ash’s Amber
Ashley comes every 1st and 3rd Thursday.
Baltic Amber jewelry
Chicken eggs and small plants.

Inner G Cells
Handmade orgonite item (includes jewelry) 

Sierra Vista Gems
Gary and Sheri will be back next week.
New batch of blue oak and mesquite pens.
Cheri’s front license plates.

Artisan Vendors (once a month)

Banner Trading & Sporting Goods

Handcrafted jewelry and cut antlers for dog chews

Doug Merrill

Handmade wooden boxes, tables, coat racks, benches, and wind chimes

Jim Williams Woodworks

Checkerboards and many new lazy Susans,  one of a kind, all sizes of cutting boards, pens, pencils, fountain pens!  Key rings, toaster tongs, oven rack pulls.  By a special request, I have started making urns and jewelry boxes.

520-393-6608
weloveaz2@gmail.com

Rita Obenauf’s Windchimes
Every 1st Thursday when the weather cools again.
Up-cycle bottle wind chimes
909-957-0368
Insta-gram Lifeabove100

Sue’s Closet
Sue will be at the market on the first Thursday.
Tie-dye and painted clothing (hats, silk scarves, shawls, blouses)

Thunder Mountain Alpaca Ranch
Alpaca boutique of Unique Hand Made Gifts
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook
520-249-0362

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