Sierra Vista Farmers Markets Update for 6-27-19

The Golden Prune
Some say that nearly 4000 years ago a small, juicy, sweet, golden fruit was “discovered” in China and then made its way to the rest of the world via the silk road trade route through the Middle East. Others claim this gilded fruit originated in Armenia, hence its Latin classification Prunus armeniaca. Of course what I’m talking about is what you and I know today as simply the Apricot.

While it is believed that the Arab traders brought the apricot to the Mediterranean, its introduction to Greece is credited to Alexander the Great. At one time apricot juice was considered the “nectar of the gods” by the Greeks and Romans. Today the apricot is one of Italy’s most important agricultural crops. At the turn of the 21^st century the top 5 producers of apricots (according to Britannica) were Turkey, Iran, Uzbekistan, Italy, and Algeria.

The New World got its first taste of this divine fruit when Spanish explorers and missionaries introduced it to California. About the same time, on the other side of the continent, English settlers brought it to the new colonies of North America.  Today the vast majority of North American apricots are grown in California.

The Health Benefits of Apricots
Not only are apricots delicious, but they are also packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

Nutritionists tell us that apricots are a significant source of fiber which helps our body process food through our gastrointestinal tract. Fiber is also believed to help stimulate the gastric and digestive juices that help us break down our food so that we can get its full nutritional value.

Apricots are also a great source of potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, phosphorus, and copper. For summer time desert dwellers, who sweat, potassium is an especially important electrolyte which helps our bodies keep the optimal fluid balance and promotes the proper functioning of our muscles. Muscle cramping is sometimes an indication of a lack of potassium.

In the vitamin department, apricots are a good source of Vitamin A (which is good for eyesight and skin health). One cup of apricots contains roughly 160 micrograms of Vitamin A.  Apricots also contain vitamin C, but this vitamin is lost if you eat them after they have been dried. (Potassium and Vitamin A are retained in dried apricots.)

Apricots do contain a decent amount of sugar so if you are watching your caloric count, it is best to eat them raw. In dried apricots the sugar is concentrated without the added bulk of water which means you can eat a lot more of the fruit before your appetite is satisfied – hence more sugar is consumed.

Apricots at the Market this Week
It’s apricot season in southern Arizona and the Sierra Vista Farmers Markets has these “golden prunes” that are grown right here in Cochise County. Apricot season is rather short, so make sure you stop by our local produce vendors and get their incredibly delicious and healthful fruit while they are fresh and tasty. Oh, and in case you are wondering, our locally grown apricots come to you minus the herbicides and pesticides found in and on most of today’s commercially grown fruit.

Holiday Schedule
In honor of Independence Day there will NOT be a farmers market on Thursday July, 4^th. Winnie and I wish you all a wonderful Independence Day celebration with your friends and family.

Vendors Spotlight

Lasagna and More 
Chef Scotty returns this week with his great all natural frozen Italian Take-n-Bakes, including 6 Lasagnas, 2 Baked pastas, 3 Manicotti all made with Chef Scotty’s gourmet sauces. Chef Scotty also has 6 different Burritos and some Gluten free and Vegan products. For about $5 per portion you can feed you and your family quality Italian food. 

Simmons Honey Ranchito
With prickly pear fruit back in season the Simmon’s Honey Ranchito now has a limited supply of their popular prickly pear jelly in half pint jars. 

They also have plenty of honey, bee pollen and raw granules in stock. If you would like gallon jugs please preorder at: 520-364-2745.

White Cane Salmon
Ian with White Can Salmon will return to the Sierra Vista market this week with their salmon fillets, smoked salmon in various sized portions.

Celestial Breads
This week Celestial Breads will have cherry almond bread, vegan black bean brownies, round hoagie wheat buns with a variety of toppings along with their challah breads, wraps, calzone, and Stromboli.

Special Announcements and Events

The Hone Ranger
Just a reminder for all the firemen, police, border agents, sheriffs, and our service member – the Hone Ranger sharpens your service knives for free. Be sure to stop by Scott’s booth at the West end of the market to take him up on this generous offer.

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:

For your enjoyment music this week will be by Ken Cantrell.

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.

 ———————————————————————
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 – –
Aaron Cardona with Arevalos Farms has a wide variety of seasonal vegetables such as kale, carrots, onions, beets, and canned vegetables.

Backyard Gardening & Growing – – Vendor Grown – –

Noah Struse will bring onions, eggplant, cucumbers, peppers, apricots, and flat peaches.

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

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 make 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 with Dolce Amore bakes Italian specialties for you. Try her gluten free cookies, vegan cakes, Italian cakes, puff pastries, and regular cakes and cookies.

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 – –
Roger Taber provides us with yak meat every week. Try something new for dinner. Also, Roger has several emu products available.

Fizzy Wonders
Have you heard of a lotion bar or moisture bar before? Come and take a look at Vanessa and Miguel’s booth at Fizzy Wonders. The lotion bar consists of all natural mango butter, coco butter, jojoba butter , and beeswax. You can choose from lavender, almond, or honey oat scented bars. 

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.

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. Winnie was intrigued by their cedar berry necklaces which are made from the seeds found in juniper berries. Those seeds are also used in dream catchers and their pottery. Stop by and ask them to tell you about their fine works of art.  —- 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.

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

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 more “Pup cakes” for  your furry friend’s birthday party and his buddies.

McDonald Farm
Scrumptious baked goods are brought to you by Donna. Try lemon bars, cinnamon rolls, scones, hand pies, and the ever favorite seven nut caramel bar. She also brings chicken and duck eggs.

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 has dozens of artisan pastas made with organic wheat. She also has gluten-free and vegan pasta as well.

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 broccoli, onions, garlic carrots, kale, cabbage, broccoli and 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 with San Pedro River VAlley Salsa will be at the market with their great variety of delicious salsa.

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 
 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 – –

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 – Buy 4, get 1 free.

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
Only this week salmon portions of various sizes.