Sierra Vista Farmers Markets Update for 08-08-19

Appreciating our Neighbors

I think that one of the great things about a community based farmers market is that in a world today which is becoming increasingly introverted and sequestered, our local farmers market is a place where people from all walks of life still can go and make personal connections with other people from their community.  Where else can we as a consumer go and have the opportunity to build a relationship with the people who grow and produce our food. As vendors it’s also a unique privilege for us to meet and know the people who enjoy what we make and grow.

If you’ve ever been to the Sierra Vista Farmers Market you’ve probably felt its refreshing energy and vitality. I believe that energy is the power of face to face human interaction. As I look at the sobering news headlines this week I’m reminded of how important it is for each of us to love and appreciate our family, friends, and neighbors  – to appreciate not just what we all have in common, but also appreciate the differences and uniqueness that makes each of us truly special. 

So this week I invite you to come on out to the Sierra Vista Farmers Market and enjoy the company of your neighbors. Get to know the rawhide and leather ranchers who grow your meat. Shake the callused iron hands of the farmers who grow your fruits and vegetables.  Share the enthusiasm of the talented artisans who showcase their amazing creations.  Enjoy the mouth watering food and baked goods of our eclectic chefs and bakers. Come meet and appreciate the quiet, outgoing, shy, boisterous, reserved, gruff, kooky, sophisticated, and just plain unique people who make our community so special.

Just-A-Pinch
It started with a few small cherry tomato plants which eventually grew to the roof of their house. Out of the confidence of these inauspicious beginnings grew a passion that Mike Burgess has nurtured into a unique niche at the Sierra Vista Farmers Market. With a background in the culinary arts Mike added to his success in growing cherry tomatoes by realizing that growing herbs fulfilled a need at the Sierra Vista Farmers Market for these fresh and savory condiments.  This realization began his entrepreneurial endeavor he calls Just-A-Pinch. Each week Mike brings living plants which he harvests for you on the spot at the market or offers the entire plant for you to take home and use at your own discretion.

Over time Mike’s collection of herbs has grown thanks to his own trial and error of learning to grow from seeds and cuttings. He’s also expanded his variety of herbs with new and exciting gifts that some of his generous patrons have shared with him. With his increasing passion for growing, encouraged by his success, Mike now has many types of herbs for you to chose from. Looking for a unique mint for that drink, that favorite dish, or garnish for your dessert? Mike now has nine different types of mint for you to experi-mint with. Ever heard of Egyptian walking onions? Well, stop by Mike’s booth this week and ask him about these unusual herbs and the many other fresh culinary delights he has to offer.

This Week at the Market
Summer fruit and vegetable season is in full swing at the Sierra Vista Farmers Market this week. For the freshest  vegetables around, this week our vendors have all sorts of lettuce and greens, carrots, onions, garlic, beets, okra, peppers, turnips, tomatoes, and beans, to name just a few. If you are looking for fruit our vendors will also have pears, figs, pluots, plums,and several varieties of apples and peaches.

For a full listing of our vendors and their produce, meats, food, and artful creations please see our Vendor Spotlight and full vendor lists below.

We look forward to seeing you all at the market this week.

Vendors Spotlight

Arevaloes Farms
It’s summertime and one of the best treats I can think of is an ice-cold watermelons to cool you down. This week Aaron Cardona has his sweet Tohono O’dham Yellow Meat water melons. So pick one up and chill it in your fridge or a cooler of ice water and you’ll have the perfect treat for that next summertime BBQ.  Canteloupe are also in season at Arevaloes Farms, so be sure to stop by Aaron’s booth this week.

On the vegetable side of things Aaron will have lots of mini spaghetti squash, Carnival acorn squash, zucchini and patty pan for you to choose from. If you like okra, green beans, and super sweet red and yellow onions, he has them as well. For those of you with a more eclectic taste you should try Aaron’s purple potatoes and fingerlings, he has them in abundance this week.

Celestial Breads
Celestial breads makes 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). They also make delicious sweet breads, cinnamon rolls, various types of challah bread and jalapeno bread.

This Week’s Special from Celestial Breads:
This week Celestial Breads will be offering their special breakfast or lunch Egg Bakes. Wrapped in buttery white dough you’ll find fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy lean turkey bacon and cheese all baked to a beautiful golden brown.  These Egg Bakes are a favorite that are often requested, so this week Celestial Breads will be offer a special two for $10. If you need to feed a crew or your office breakfast crowd they are offering a dozen for $55. Homegrown peach pies $15 each or two for $25.

Simmons Honey Ranchito
The Simmons Honey Ranchito now has corn relish made with Arizona’s own Wilcox sweet corn. Have a hankering for pickled beets? The Simmons have a limited supply, so be sure to stop by their booth this week.

If you are looking for honey, check out their many wonderful varieties of local honey like desert wildflower and mesquite. This week the Simmons also have a fresh batch of their famous watermelon jelly   They also have a limited supply of Michael’s Cluck-Cluck Farm chicken and duck eggs. 

Emu Enterprises
Monsoons bringing in cooling rain for HOT Arizona summers, but also bring many different biting bugs and insects.  The discomfort from the bite, swelling, and itching is something we could all do without.  Now you can receive relief from all that with just one or two drops of pure emu oil.  Eliminate the irritation, reduce the swelling, stop the itching and promote faster healing.  Bet your ‘brand X” can’t do all of that; plus only for a fraction of the cost. (Blurb courtesy of Roger T.)

Special Announcements and Events This Week

This week the U of A Cooperative Extension will be back at the market with their AZ Health Zone cooking demonstrations. This week’s demonstration will be To Be Announced.  For more information about the AZ Health Zone check out their website at: https://www.azhealthzone.org/resources

This week’s cooking demonstration receipt can be found at:

Be Healthy! Sierra Vista will also have a booth set up at the market and they will be showcasing various healthy programs/agencies. Be sure to stop by their booth and check out their free resources and community information.

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:

Music this week will be provided by Pat Panther.

We hope to see you all at the Market this week!

This Week’s Weather Forecast

This Week’s 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
Julee will NOT be at the market this week.

Arevalos Farms – – Vendor Grown – –
Aaron Cardona with Arevalos Farms has a wide variety of seasonal vegetables such as water melon, carrots, onions, beets, and canned vegetables.

Backyard Gardening & Growing – – Vendor Grown – –
Zane and Noah Struse will bring onions, eggplant, cucumbers, okra, peppers, figs, pluots, cherry tomatoes, yellow and white peaches.

Beatty’s Orchard
Edith will be back next week.

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

Hot lunch at the market with Sonoran hotdogs, pulled pork, or nachos.

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 makes 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
 Vanessa and Miguel will NOT be at the market.

Four King’s Kitchen
April brings a good assortment of home-made granola to the market each week.

Ginny’s Eclectic Kitchen
Ginny will bring Rhubarb squares made from fresh rhubarb from the Beatty’s Apple orchard.

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.

Gray’s Garden of Eat’N – – Vendor Grown – –
CHyrum will be selling garlic, carrots and tomatoes.

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 – –
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,micro greens, large and cherry tomatoes available. 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.

Horton Farms –– – Vendor Grown – –
 Mark and Jessica with Horton Farmers brings fresh tomatoes, squash, zucchini, peppers, radish, turnips, cucumbers, eggplant, and carrots.

Icee Queen

Lynn has a yummy refreshing treat for anybody.

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 mint, and basil. Buy it by the ounce freshly cut at the market or take home a healthy plant. Still available 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.

Ketoluscious Bakery
Janet will bake a variety of Keto goodies for you.

Krazy Koyote 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.

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.

Maggie’s Dog Treats & Accessories
Zia will NOT be at the market this week.

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

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, tomtoes, 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.

Peace, Love, & Smoked Cheese

Mickey is back this week with a new assortment of smoked cheeses.

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 tomatoes and squash as well as 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 at the market this week with fudge, brittle, and toffee.

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.

Thunder Mountain Alpaca Ranch

Lisa will NOT be at the market this week.

Tortilla Arevaloes aka Esperanza

Hot lunch at the market or take home her much-sought after tortillas, also available gluten free.

Toy’s Eggrolls

Tigerlily Boba Tea

White Cane Salmon
Not here this week.