Visiting a farmers market when you travel is one of the very best ways to experience life as a local. Writer Elizabeth Rose takes us strolling and shopping in Phoenix, to visit some of the variety of farmers markets in Phoenix, for uniquely-local items, available during surprising times of the year. 

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Phoenix Farmers Markets: Going Local for Food, Fun and Gifts

The Phoenix area farmers markets, gift shows, and arts and crafts events, taking place throughout the fall and winter months, will surprise you with hyper-local offerings ranging from products made with desert-foraged plants to cute cookies made in the shape of the iconic Saguaro cactus. Come with me as I discover what’s both new and traditional at the markets.

A variety of cacti, available for purchase, also help you know you’re in Arizona.

Phoenix Farmers Markets to Try: The Suburban Farmers Market

Get Local Events brings the produce and the fun to suburban families throughout the west valley of Phoenix. As soon as it starting cooling off (usually by October) I was in the mood to find a farmers market and check out the produce and specialty foods. Get Local had just started an open-air market in a Surprise, Arizona community with spacious lawns perfect for rows of tented vendors and a few food trucks. I got there early and did a walk-through. Timoteo Spice Company was beckoning me with samples. With names like Sonoran Spice Rub and Sweet Sonoran BBQ Sauce, I knew they were bringing the flavors of the desert to the market.

There was a line forming at the large produce tent so I hot-footed it over so I wouldn’t miss out and found a variety of fresh peppers, huge bundles of cilantro, lettuce and tomatillos for sale. I filled my market bag and went on to explore. There was jewelry, dip mix vendors and… I spied something very unique. The Sonoran Scavengers were selling products like flours, sauces, jellies, and baked goods – all gluten free and all scavenged from our local desert. Their creative use of desert plants intrigued me. I’d seen mesquite pods out on the desert and learned that the scavengers mill the flour as a healthy alternative to white flour. They had prickly pear jelly, pickled cholla cactus buds – well, anything edible from our local desert and slightly beyond (they had Hatch chile jelly).

Mesquite Flour is just one of the products vendor Sonoran Scavengers sells at the Market that is very unique to the area.

I passed the tables of live cacti for sale, the local pasta makers and interesting patio decorations until I was stopped by the smiles from the women at the Cactus Flower Cookie Company. In true Arizona style, they had state-shaped cookies and Saguaro-shaped cookies. But what impressed me were the skillful decorations. I made a mental note to contact them before my next patio party and looked them up on Instagram to see what else they made.

Cookies from the Cactus Flower Cookie Company are a true keepsake of visiting Arizona and the Phoenix Farmers Market – if you can resist the urge to gobble them up.

I pulled myself away from the building crowds of people and purchased a burger to take home. It was a good way to experience a bit of food and fun close to home.

Where to Experience Food and Art in Phoenix:

Don’t discount the idea of finding local culinary delights at arts and crafts shows, especially the eclectic shows hosted by Vermillion Promotions. Again, on a Sunday, and at the show’s opening time, I headed for historic Litchfield Park. Close to the famed Wigwam Resort, the art show offers both fine art and crafty fun things. But there are also some local culinary vendors like Carol’s Country Kitchen who has been serving up samples of her southwestern soups and chilis for years. Carol makes all of her mixes and packages them. I headed for her booth and enjoyed one of her mixed bean soups and her flavorful Tuscan Zuppa and fell in love with the creamy mustards.

Try some of the goodies you’ll buy at Carol’s Country Kitchen, a popular farmers market vendor.

You’ll also find Carol and other food vendors at the annual Fountain Hills Art and Wine Festival on the east side of the Valley of the Sun. It’s a large fair, with food, entertainment and amazing art. When there, be sure to head down to the lake as the huge fountain will explode into the air for 15 minutes each hour on the hour. The fountain’s plume is so big, you can see it as you fly north from the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

Finding Phoenix Farmers Markets

There are farmers markets throughout the Valley of the Sun. And, remember, don’t look for them in summer –  the season has ended by then. Look for the Arizona Community Farmers Markets and the Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market for more Arizona finds. When you visit an area, shopping the local outdoor markets and festivals can give you an idea of the culture and produce of the area. And, you might just find that perfect gift for friends and family back home.

— Story and photos by Elizabeth Rose

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