You might be under the assumption that when the summer heat arrives, the farmers markets shut down. You'd only be partially right. Some crazy folks keep the veggies coming all summer long. Lucky us. Here are six spots in the Valley. Know of others? Please leave word in the comments section.
North Scottsdale Farmers Market Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. There are a lot of familiar products at the North Scottsdale Farmers Market, from the meats at Circle Key Farms to Doctor Hummus' chips and spreads, or Torched Goodness -- which will rival the summer heat by firing up some creme brulee on the spot. You'll also find Sharon Flaherty's selection of whoopie pies -- ranging from the classic Maine to salted caramel to peanut butter chocolate.
As for your produce, you can pick from the small selection of great veggies at On The Farm, or you can find nearly anything in-season from the Backyard Farmer, who has an especially nice collection of citrus.
Downtown Phoenix Public Market 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays Urban Grocery is sadly a thing of the past, but the Wednesday and Saturday market continue. And this market is going strong. It might be one of the largest in the Valley, and that's because not only are there several produce vendors, but an arts and crafts section and even a couple of food trucks. Maya Farms brings much of what they've got, including some of the most vibrant veggies around. There are plenty of carrots and other produce at Crooked Sky Farms, and a compact selection, including beautiful radish, at the Golo Family Organic Farms stand.
Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market Saturdays thru May 26: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Beginning June 2: 7 to 11 a.m. There's something for everyone at this market, which has as many great produce stands as it does vendors serving freshly prepared food, such as Orange Table pancakes or Eddie's House soups. The produce selection is unrivaled, because whatever you can't find in the shade at McClendon Farms' stand, we bet you'll see at the Blue Sky Farms Stand. Between those guys and Maya Farms, this market has produce covered. Superstition Farms Thursday Market Thursdays 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. An evening at Superstition Farms can begin with a hayride and end with a stint at the petting zoo. In between all the fun, one of the largest draws to this market is all of their own butter, milks, cheeses, and ice cream from the cows next door. In addition to the meats from Double Check Ranch and Davy Jones Seafood, or the Superstition Farms chicken eggs, much of the organic produce at this market comes from Taste of Queen Creek.
Singh Family Farmers Market 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays We don't know of any other farmers markets in metro Phoenix located right where the vegetables are grown. This market is a highly dependable little oasis filled with fresh produce not even a minute's drive east of the Thomas exit on Loop 101, and it's open year-round. Shaded by a canopy of trees are a couple of acres of farmland where you can walk around and see the produce growing, in addition to a wood fire oven with a chef preparing fresh vegetable salads. A little wooden structure in the center houses all of the harvested produce, fresh-baked breads, dips, oils, honey and jams. A lot of it is their own, but there's also certain items from outside, such as Hayden Flour Mills and their bagged pizza dough and polenta blends made from local heritage grains.
Bodega 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday When the folks behind Scottsdale's FnB restaurant, known for a menu decked out with local produce, announced they were opening a little market, we knew we were in for a treat. Indeed, Bodega is filled with many of the ingredients that go into FnB's nightly menu. The small (but meaningful) selection includes fresh McClendon Farms produce, MJ Breads (and fresh pretzels), a meat case with steaks and jidori chicken, as well as their house preserved lemons and owner Charleen Badman's freshly baked doughnuts (and the holes, too). Follow Chow Bella on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
