Sierra Vista Farmers Market Vendor Update for 12-23-2021 – –

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

By Uncle Ralph (Ralph Wildermuth) 23 December 2021

The Farmers’ Market will be open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

We all know the “reason for the season”, after all, Christmas means “Christ’s Mass”, but it is also a celebration of love, family, friendship, food, and gift giving. It has always been about gift-giving. Afterall, God did give the world the greatest gift of all. He gave us his Son, Jesus.

It has been called “The most wonderful time of the year” by millions of people, not just here in the US, but all over the world. The scene that is carried out around the world includes things such as snowflakes falling softly outside while a bountiful table laden with hearty delectable treats invites both members of the family and friends alike to feast on its selection. Christmas music surrounds the atmosphere of peace and goodwill as the Christmas tree loaded down with ornaments, tinsel, brightly lit candles, and twinkling lights surrounded by mountains of gifts in brightly colored paper.

Christmas is a celebration of birth and family giving. Even the invention of Santa Claus has its inspiration in religion. In the literal sense, St. Nicholas was Santa Claus during his time in the third century. Afterall Santa represents the same principles of love, generosity, and devotion that St. Nicholas did. Saint Nicholas was born in what is now Turkey in the year 280 AD. Some years later, shortly after he was ordained, his parents died leaving him a larger inheritance which he used to feed the hungry and carry out other good deeds. Legend has it that he was walking down the street one day and passed a house where it was said that a nobleman who had gone bankrupt lived with his three daughters. The banks were ready to take his house and sell his three daughters into slavery to help settle his debts. He wanted desperately to marry off his daughters before that happened, but he didn’t have enough money for their dowries. St. Nicholas secretly threw a bag of gold coins through the window for the first daughter. She was married off soon thereafter. He repeated the process for the other two daughters, but on the third attempt the bag of coins fell into a stocking that was drying hung over the fireplace. Thus, the tradition of giving gifts, sometimes even in stockings, was started. St. Nicholas is known as the patron saint of children, obviously, but also archers, barrel makers, grocers, virgins, and weavers. He is also the predecessor to the Dutch figure “Sinterklaas.”

Sinterklaas more closely resembles Santa with his long white beard and stately bishop’s robe, along with the way he rode a white horse to the rooftops of houses to deliver his gifts. Sinterklaas morphed into Kris Kindl, later known as Kris Kringle, in Germany after the Reformation by Martin Luther ended the practice of praying to saints, instead focusing on the “Christ Child” (Kris Kindl). King Henry VIII of England went even further by proclaiming a new symbol of celebration known as “Father Christmas.”

As the Dutch and other Europeans immigrated to America, they brought their holiday traditions with them. It was in America that the role of St. Nicholas would take on a new character in the form of Santa Claus. As noted in the last article, Thomas Nast brought the new Santa Claus to life during the Civil War, but it was the son of Scandinavian immigrants, Haddon Sundblom who is known best for his depiction of Santa in numerous Coca Cola advertisements from 1931 until 1964. Sundblom’s Santa is so entwined with Christmas and Coke that the company continues to use his paintings to promote their product. Haddon Sundblom and his version of Santa for Coca Cola remains the most recognizable version of Santa.

Books, music, poems, Christmas trees, family gatherings, and movies keep Christmas alive and well as the religious and the secular themes of Christmas can both be practiced separately together on the same day.

The foods of Christmas are another batch of globally inspired traditions. In America it is sometimes hard to see a difference between the meal served at Thanksgiving and the dinner for Christmas. We tend to stick with ham or turkey with all the normal fixings. However, turkey is rarely seen outside of America or the United Kingdom. In many countries fish in some form is the main course like in southern Italy where the Feast of the Seven Fishes is the traditional Christmas dinner. In many countries there is a fasting period prior to Christmas and fish is often served at the end of the fast. The Feast of the Seven Fishes consists of seven seafood dishes, symbolic of the number seven, which is the most repeated number in the Bible.

Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine all offer variations on an intricate 12-dish Christmas Eve feast. The regulations of the fast practiced by the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches requires that meat, eggs, and milk are all kept off the table during this time of year. So, it is not unreasonable to see an array of pescatarian and grain-based dishes laid out on the table.

A big part of the Christmas celebrations in Germany is Advent. The traditional dinner involves duck, goose, rabbit or a roast, and sides such as potato dumplings and red cabbage. Stollen, a popular fruited yeast bread, similar in looks to a fruitcake, is probably eaten the most at Christmas.

While in America you will probably see the women serving the Christmas dinner, but in Greenland it is the men who serve the Christmas meal serving their food and coffee and stirring the meal for them. The meal traditionally features a meal of mattack, strips of narwhal or white whale blubber encased in whale fat. It is supposed to taste like fresh coconut, but is often too tough to chew and is usually swallowed. Another dish is “kiviak,” a dish of flesh from auks, a small Arctic seabird, buried in whole sealskin for several months and served once it begins to decompose. Tasty, I’m sure.

Japan is probably the most interesting, because the Japanese love to indulge on KFC for Christmas. This is the busiest time of the year for KFC in Japan. The tradition started in the early 1970s when an advertising campaign called “Kentucky for Christmas” was started and it stuck. If you want KFC for Christmas in Japan, you will need to place your order weeks in advance to secure KFC for Christmas.

And of course, the best for last. How can there be a Christmas dinner without the traditional baked desserts and drinks to go with it. Fruitcake and gingerbread are part of the tradition in America.

Just like many other historic foods, fruitcake is another with a clouded past. The oldest reference that can be found regarding a recipe for a fruitcake made of pomegranate seeds, pine nuts, raisins mixed with a barley mash dating back to Roman times. The Middle Ages added honey, spices, and preserved fruits. Like fruitcake, gingerbread also has a long history traced back to the Greeks and Egyptians who used it for ceremonial purposes. Gingerbread is a baked sweet containing ginger and sometimes cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom and anise, and sweetened with any combination of brown sugar, molasses, light or dark corn syrup, or honey.

Eggnog also makes the traditional food list for Christmas. Eggnog is a classic Christmas cocktail that stirs up memories for most people and adds to the festive spirit of the Christmas season. You either love it or hate it. It is believed that eggnog began in Europe. As early as the 13th century, medieval monks in Britain were known to drink “posset,” a warm ale punch with eggs and figs. Eggnog may have been in use in earlier centuries, but the first known written uses of the word “eggnog” didn’t occur until the late 1700s. As a rich and often alcoholic drink, eggnog became a familiar fixture during the holiday season across the colonies and, eventually, the new country of the future United States. Eggnog, a creamy, comforting drink, often spiked with bourbon, brandy, or rum, is pretty simple to whip up from scratch. It is made with egg yolks, sugar, vanilla extract, and nutmeg, then add the liquor and dairy ingredients. For the non-alcoholic version just leave out the liquor. Top it off by folding whipped egg whites in just before serving to provide a lusciously frothy finish, and a dusting of nutmeg completes the drink’s charm.

This year I encourage you to try different desserts from other countries to add something special to your meal. Baklava, comes to mind. Again, one of those wonderful foods with a clouded past. Is it Greek, Turkish, or a descendant of the Ancient Roman placenta cake, a dessert made of alternating thin pastry sheets and layers of cheese and honey? At this point it doesn’t matter, because baklava tastes great and if you are not willing to take the first plunge making it, I suggest you go over to Katerina’s It’s original Greek here at the market and buy some for your family and friends.

Another twist on the eggnog recipe is to stop by Golden Rule Dairy and pick up some raw milk to make your eggnog from. You get milk and cream all in one shot. Remember to thank a farmer and keep them in mind this Christmas while enjoying your Christmas dinner with family and friends.You made it and therefore I would like to wish everyone Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and the self-fulfillment and well-being that can and should be possible for members of our species.  And, out of love and respect for the curmudgeons among us, Bah Humbug as well!

As always, SNAP vouchers can be used at some of the vendors booths, as well as Double Up tokens for exchange for fruits (Estrada Citrus from Mesa is back) and vegetables. You can use your EBT card at the info booth for SNAP vouchers and Double UP tokens (unlimited amount right now).

We are looking forward to seeing you all at this coming week’s Market. For more information on all our vendors and the products they will be bringing, please see this week’s Farmers’ Market newsletter at www.sierravistafarmersmarkets.com.  Also, check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sierravistafarmersmarket/

As always, SNAP vouchers can be used at some of the vendors booths, as well as Double Up tokens for exchange for fruits (Estrada Citrus from Mesa is back) and vegetables. You can use your EBT card at the info booth for SNAP vouchers and Double UP tokens (unlimited amount right now).

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.       The terminal is working again!!!

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

Music Entertainment: Pat Panther

This week:  extra artisans and crafters

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–Vendor Grown
Bali will be back during the winter season.
Local produce (mint, basil, cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, bok choy) from Tucson area

Backyard Gardening & Growing  – – Vendor Grown –
Onions- Red, white, and yellow. Beefsteak tomatoes & cherry tomatoes. Gala and Pixie crunch apples.

Beatty’s Orchard – – Vendor Grown –

Edith will be back next season.
520-378-2728 or 520-678-9443

Beatriz’ Dates

Dates from Mesa, Arizona

Cazador Ranch

Donna Henricks aka Lettuce Man’s Daughter

Lettuce mix, chard, kale, parsley

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

Estrada Citrus

Oranges and grapefruit from Mesa, Arizona.

Horton’s Farm  – – Vendor Grown –

Mark and Jessica will be back soon.
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 in the spring of 2022.
(520-234-3254), email (justapinchllc@yahoo.com)

Nat Hutchins Farm

Local and Asian plant. Seasonal produce. Meyer lemons.

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 –

Ralph and the children will be back in the January 2022.
“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 –

With sadness we let you know that Roger Taber passed away this summer.

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 and Lisa will be back soon.

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

Whitecane Sockeye Salmon

Alaskan caught sockeye salmon, king salmon, halibut, ling code, shrimp, snowcrab, Bairdi crab, Dungenese crab

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

Incredible Snacks
An Incredible Variety of Snacks
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: 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

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
Shelly will be back in January.
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
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
Greg will NOT be at the market.
Home-made Soaps
For more information, please visit one of their links:Website, Facebook
desertoasissoap@outlook.com
520-822-5330
desertoasissoaps.com

Nature’s Premium Skin Care
Aloe Vera miracle cream

Prepared Foods & Beverage Vendors

Ascendare-Bean to Bar Chocolate
Kendra will be at the market on the 1st and 4th Thursday.
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 and new hot cocoa mix and hot cocoa by the cup.

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

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.
NOTE: Esperanza will retire from our market at the end of 2021.

Crazy Coyote Concessions

Paul and Lisa will NOT be at the market this week.
Kettle Corn and Smoothies
For more information please visit one of their links: Facebook
520-904-2327
kettlekornaz@gmail.com

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
Feliz will be back in January.
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

Knife sharpening at the market.

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:

Sierra Vista Gems
New batch of blue oak and mesquite pens.
Cheri’s front license plates.

Artisan Vendors (once a month)

Bannuar Trading & Sporting Goods

Handcrafted jewelry and cut antlers for dog chews

Chalia’s Craft (will be back in the spring)

•Crochet earrings

•Crochet & Macramé Plant Hangers

•Crochet bags and baskets

•Wall Decor

•Pillow Shams (seasonal item)

•Throw Blankets (seasonal item)

Shop: chaliascraft.Etsy.com

Instagram: @chalias_craft

Doug Merrill

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

Jim Williams
Wood works such as Lazy Susans, checker boards, and unique writing utensils

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

New artisans for November and December

Anna’s Gifts
Buena High School artisans
Leta’s Gallery
Vagabond
Crafts by Kate
Godard-woodworkings

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