Farmer's Market loot.

In Arizona, we have the luxury of year-round Farmer’s Markets. There’s nothing like having access to fresh fruits and vegetables in the middle of January to cheer up your winter blues! What you see here are the results of last Sunday’s trip to the Ahwatukee Farmer’s Market. $40 got me radishes, spinach, baby onions, organic cider, spaghetti squash, tomatoes, a sample of microgreens, peach-blackberry preserves, French Roast coffee, hot sauce, and the best darned granola I’ve ever eaten in my LIFE.

Fresh greens from the Ahwatukee Farmer's Market.

There are quite a few markets to choose from, handy and accessible no matter which part of the Phoenix Metropolitan area you live in or are visiting.

Glendale:
- Twilight Farmer’s Market at the Citadel. Wednesdays from 4:00-8:00 p.m. 59th Ave. and Utopia (Arrowhead Ranch).

Scottsdale:
- Skysong Farmers’ Market at ASU Skysong Center. Thursdays from 3:00-7:00 p.m. At ASU Skysong Center in Scottsdale, 1475 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85257 (on the Corner of N. Scottsdale Rd. and McDowell Rd.)
- Scottsdale Downtown’s Old Town Farmers’ Market. Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Current Location: The City parking facility at the corner of Brown and 1st Street In the Old Town area. (Next to the Carraige House).

The Ahwatukee Farmer's Market

Mesa:
- Mesa Community Farmers’ Market . Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. On Center St. just South of University at Rendezvous Green (260 N. Center St. Mesa, AZ 85201).
- McDonald Street Farmers’ Market. Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. On MacDonald Street (beginning From Main Street going North on MacDonald).

Carefree:
- Carefree Farmers’ Market. Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Carefree Amphitheater, Carefree, AZ (Corner of Easy St. and HoHum Rd. at the Gardens, off Tom Darlington Rd.)

An abundance of greens.

Phoenix:
- Roadrunner Park Farmers’ Market. Saturdays 7:00-11:00 a.m. (summer); 8:00-12:00 noon (winter). N. E. Phoenix near Paradise Valley, 3502 E Cactus Rd, Phoenix AZ 85032 (between Freeway 51 & 36th St).
- Ahwatukee Farmers Market. Sundays 8:00-11:00 a.m. (summer); 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (winter). On 4700 East Warner Road, Phoenix, Az 85044 (just west of 48th St.).

Each market features fresh, locally grown produce, arts and crafts from local vendors, food samples, baked goods, clothing, jewelry, and much more. Each visit is a new experience, as different kinds of produce come into season, and different vendors cycle through the market. Make sure you bring your own bag to carry your purchases. Arizona Farmers Markets also feature the ability to pay once with a credit or debit card – one credit card charge can pay for all your purchases from the vendors, instead of paying at each one. Cash at each vendor is also accepted, of course.

More information can be found at the Arizona Community Farmers Markets website.

Photo credits (all): Tiffany Joyce.