Sierra Vista Farmers Market Update for 02-20-2020

The Healthy Nut – – –
For several thousand years now humans have enjoyed pistachios. A member of the cashew family, the pistachio originated in the Middle East and Central Asia. The trees can grow up to 30 feet in height and are relatively hardy.  Salty conditions don’t seem to bother pistachio trees much and they also have a decent resistance to cold.

A bit of advice if you are planning to grow your own pistachios, you’ll have to be patient. It takes the trees nearly 7 years to mature and 20 to reach peak production. Once they reach maturity though, you can get up to 50-100 pounds of pistachios each year.

If you are older than thirty, you’ll probably remember that pistachios used to be dyed red. Did you ever wonder why? The reason for the red dye is pistachios turn an unappealing black if they are not processed within hours of harvesting. So back when pistachio farmers couldn’t get their nuts processed expeditiously, they simply dyed them red instead. Today though, pistachio growers have learned how to harvest and process their nuts in a streamlined manner which maintains the nuts naturally pleasant green color.

While pistachio nuts became popular in the United States in the late 1800’s, they had to be imported from the Middle East. In 1929 American botanist, William E. Whitehouse, traveled to Persia and collected seeds in order to introduce them to the United States. By 1976 the US produced its first commercial crop of pistachios weighing in at nearly 1.5 million pounds. As of 2016 the US produced a record 900 million pounds. This increase in production has allowed the US to become a net exporter of pistachios to the world. The states of California, Arizona, and New Mexico account for 100% of American pistachio production. Of that, California produces the lion share –  nearly 99%.

The Health Benefits of Pistachios
Interestingly, pistachios have a lower calorie count than macadamia nuts, pecans, walnuts, and peanuts. At 159 calories per ounce they still pack a lot of calories, but less than many of their nutty cousins.  Where pistachios really stand out though is in the vitamin and mineral department. Based upon the DV, 3.5 ounces of pistachio nuts contain 76% of your DV of Thiamine, 13% of Riboflavin, 131% of Vitamin B6, 15% Vitamin E, and 13% Vitamin K. Pistachios are also high in Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Zinc. As for antioxidants, they contain y-tocopherol, phytosterols, and xanthophyll carotenoids. The bottom line is that not only do pistachios taste good, they are also good for you.

Nuts, Snacks, and More
One of  Sierra Vista Farmers Market’s most consistent vendors is Steve with SAS-Z-Nuts. Rain or shine, cold or hot, Steve brings you pistachios that are grown on his farm right here in Cochise County.  Steve’s nuts come in a variety of flavors like: garlic onion, green chile garlic, chile lime, hot chile, and plain salted.

If a nut of a different kind is more to your liking, David with Incredible Snacks has pecans, and chocolate covered almonds. Roger with Sweet Arizona has toffee, brittle, and fudge with various kinds of nuts as well. Dona with McDonald farms has pecans, caramel nut bars, turtles, and cinnamon rolls. And I’d be remiss if I did not mention Katerina’s: It’s Original Greek has baklava with walnuts.

Vendor Highlights, Special Announcements, and Events

Simmon’s Honey Ranchito
This week the Simmons have fresh batches of Chow Chow Relish, Blue Berry Lemon Marmalade, and Strawberry Jalapeno Jam. As always they’ll have honey products including Desert Wildflower Honey both light & mellow and dark & robust varieties.

Dolce Amore
Looking for real Italian cakes and cookies? This week Teresa with Dolce Amore will have coffee Tiramisù, lemon Tiramisù, (possibly strawberry Tiramisù), as well as her variety of cakes, and cookies.

Hilltop Hydroponics
Tom will be back this week with living lettuce, bok choi, endive, basil, and kale. He’ll also be bringing various microgreens.

Zapara Vinyards
Rhona and Mark with Zarpara Vineyards will be bringing their fine wines from  grapes grown on their vineyard right here in Cochise County. Their wines will include:

Sauvignon Blanc – Crisp, citrusy white
Monastrell – Lighter style red
Sangiovese – The perfect pizza and pasta wine
Origen – Red blend of Syrah, Monastrell and Tempranillo

Sweets By Shelly
Looking for an unique and exceptional dessert for your next party? Shelly Flanagan’s fantastic cake pop creations are almost too beautiful to eat. Even if you don’t need dessert this week, stop by her booth and admire her amazing creations.

Music This Week
Pat Panther is back this week with live music for you to enjoy.

SNAP – Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program
The Sierra Vista Farmers Market 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.

The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension will be at the market this week with all sorts of informative handouts.

This Week’s Vendors
To learn more about our vendors, if they will be attending the market this week, and the products they will be bringing, please visit their web or Facebook page in the links provided below.
(Vendors are Categorized and Alphabetized – attendance at Thursday’s 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.

Produce & Plant Vendors

Arevalos Farms – – Vendor Grown – –
Fresh Seasonal Vegetables, Melons, & Fruit
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Backyard Gardening & Growing – – Vendor Grown – –
Fresh Seasonal Fruits & Vegetables
For more information please visit one of their links: Website

Beatty’s Orchard – – Vendor Grown – –
Edith will NOT be at the market this week.
Fresh Seasonal Fruit & Vegetables
For more information please visit one of their links: Website

Estrada Citrus
Oranges and Grapefruit from Mesa

Hilltop Hydroponics – – Vendor Grown – –
Fresh Year Round Hydroponically Grown Greens:
For more information please contact Tom Hanson at: 602-317-4607
Email: tomhanson3@aol.com

Lettuce Man – – Vendor Grown – –
Fresh Seasonal Lettuce & Greens

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

Scarlet Gilia
Seasonal potted plants, herbs, and aloe

Sivonn’s Garden  – – Vendor Grown – –
Fresh Seasonal Garden Produce

Super Natural Organics – – Vendor Brokered – –
Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables

Tawin’s Gardens and Crafts 
Seasonal Garden Plants

Meat, Milk, & Honey Vendors

Emu Enterprise – – Vendor Grown –
For more information please contact Roger at: 456-2715

Golden Rule Dairy – – Vendor Grown – –
Fresh Raw Milk, Cream, and Dairy Products
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook

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

San Ysidro Farm – – Vendor Grown – -,
Locally Raised Meats. On the 1st and 3rd Thursday.
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook

Sky Island/47 Ranch – – Vendor Grown – –
Locally Raised Range Fed Beaf, Lamb, and other Meats
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Simmons Honey Ranchito 
Local Honey, Canned Jams, Jellies, & Vegetables
For more information please visit one of their links:

White Cane Salmon
Frozen Filets of Alaskan Sockeye Salmon
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Baked Goods & Snack Vendors

Celestial Breads
Fresh Baked Goods and Prepared Foods
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Dolce Amore
Fresh Italian Deserts & Baked Goods
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Gracewater Farm
Fresh Baked Goods
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

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

Ketoluscious Bakery
Fresh Made Keto Baked Goods
Janet will be here on the 27th.
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Katerina’s-It’s Original Greek
Fresh Made Greek Baked Goods and Prepared Food
New Rice pudding with cinnamon and sugar.
For more information please visit one of their links:

McDonald Farm
Fresh Baked Goods
For more information please visit one of their links:

Sweet Arizona
Locally made Toffee, Brittle, & Fudge
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook

Sweets By Shelly
Cake pops in a wide variety of flavors, almost too pretty to eat, but oh so yummy.

Personal Health & Household Vendors

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

Desert Oasis Soap
Home made Soaps
For more information please visit one of their links:Website, Facebook

Lux Candles
Scented candles with all natural ingredients in various sizes

Prepared Foods & Beverage Vendors

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

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

Esperanza
Fresh made Tortillas, Tamales, Baked Goods
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook

Krazy Koytote Kettle Corn & Smoothies
Kettle Corn and Smoothies
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

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

Lasagna and More
Gourmet Lasagna, Sauces and More by Chef Scotty
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook

Queen Ceviche
Fresh Made Salsa, Ceviche, & Beverages
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Toy’s Eggrolls
Asian Cuisine
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Zarpara Vineyards
Local Quality Wine
For more information please visit one of their links: Website, Facebook

Pet Food & Product Vendors

Maggie’s Dog Treats & Accessories
All Natural Pet Snacks and Treats
For more information please visit one of their links:

Services

Hone Ranger
Knife and Blade sharpening
For more information please visit one of their links:

 
Artisan Vendors (Weekly)

Designs by Copper Canyon
Customer Made Home Accents
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

Greenstone Pottery & Crafts
Hand Made Pottery, Jewelry, & Crafts
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

K-1 Kreations
Hand Made Aprons, Coasters, Pot Holders, Tote Bags Etc.
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook

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:

Blue Oak Builders and Sierra Vista Gems
New batch of pens made with Mexican blue oak. Cheri has made more of her color changing beads and hand painted front license plates.

Artisan Vendors on the First Thursday of Each Month

Ray’s Leatherworks

Jim William Woodworks

Velvet Box Jewelry

Desert Owl Forge

Leatherworks and Things by Eileen

Sierra Scenes

Experience Ancient Sea Salts

This Week’s Weather Forecast