One of my favorite weekend activities is leashing up our dog, Layla, hopping in the car, and perusing a few local farmers markets filled with fabulous and unique vendors that we love. We not only love supporting local and eating healthy, locally grown and produced produce, but we also love the vast variety of unique specialty foods that cannot be found in the grocery store. Many of the vendors appear at more than one market location, which is great when you want to explore a new locale, but also enjoy your favorites! Pre-order options with curbside pick-up or home delivery are also available.
1. Farmers Market North Scottsdale (Troon North and DC Ranch Village Health Club)
- Where: 28150 N Alma School Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85262 (Dynamite and Alma School Roads) on Saturdays and 1801 N. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 (DC Ranch Village Health Club) on Sundays
- When: All Year
- Time: Saturdays, 9am-1pm / Sundays, 10am-1pm
Both of the vendors are similar at these 2 fabulous farmers markets, with the Troon location being slightly larger since the DC Ranch Village Health Club is rather new. I have seen the Troon location grow rapidly with many fantastic and unique vendors since moving from their former Pinnacle Peak Post Office location to the current Alma School and Dynamite spot nearly one year ago. Each week I am noticing new vendors at the DC Ranch Village Health Club location, so in time I think it will rival some of the others on this list. It's nice to have both a Saturday and Sunday option for these fabulous markets.
I spoke with the owner/coordinator of both of these markets, Lori Cordova, as she was browsing through the market chatting with customers and vendors. She showed her passion for running these markets as she told me,
"My goal has always been to give back. As a business owner, this community has been so good to me and my way of giving back is to provide a place where the community can come together and socialize in an open air market venue while supporting local. I love how my community and my market vendors have all come together to create such a magnificent ambiance to all who visit each market venue. The Farmers Market North Scottsdale also raises money to support local foundations, such as Reigning Grace Ranch, Rancho Milagro, and Healing the Broken."
My Favorite Vendors: Get Raw (ginger/turmeric juice) Jojo the Baker, FitMama Foods, Fallah Yaqoob Mediterranean(best hummus ever!) Wicked Fish, Yallatizers (yogurt), Hillshine Nut Butterz, Organic Elderberry Company, Sully's Great Snacks (dog treats), Bare Sprouts
2. Uptown Farmers Market
- Where: North Phoenix Baptist Church, 5757 North Central Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85012 (Central & Bethany Home)
- When: All Year
- Time: Wednesdays 8am-12pm, Saturdays 9am-12pm
This twice-weekly market is pretty expansive and has one of the largest array of vendors- nearly 100 on Saturday and 80 on Wednesdays. You will find an abundance of local produce items in addition to many specialty vendors. The market is very spread out and has a great flow- not too crowded feeling despite the large crowds the market draws in. This market also has some delicious food trucks to grab a quick breakfast or lunch while browsing.
My Favorite Vendors: Guacbox, Fluffy Vegans, Noble Bread, Southwest Mushrooms, Hunger Bomb Cookies, Oak Creek Apple Company (cider vinegar), Love Acai Bowls, Guac Girl, Valley Keto
3. Old Town Farmers Market
- Where: 3806 N Brown Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (corner of Brown and 1st Streets)
- When: Saturdays, October-May
- Time: 8:30am-1pm
This lively local market features more than 100 local growers and specialty food producers. They have a vast selection of organic and pesticide-free produce, flowers, fish, & free-range eggs, freshly baked artisan breads, jams, tamales, and more. One thing I love about this market is the neighborhood feel as it is in the heart of Old Town and surrounded my wonderful local shops. There is often live music and an overall jubilant vibe here and if parking concerns you, there is a large parking garage adjacent to the market.
My Favorite Vendors: McClendon Select (produce), Captain Jo's Fish Dips, Fiscalini Farmstead Cheese (Layla gives this 4 paws up, too!) Stone Grindz Chocolates, Americano Peanut Butter, Nouveau Quiche, Wild Shrimp Company
4. Roadrunner Park Farmers Market
- Where: 3502 E. Cactus Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85032
- When: All Year
- Time: October-May 8am-1pm / June-September - 7am-11am
Roadrunner Park is a lovely, smaller farmers market. One of the things I enjoy about this market is the atmosphere surrounding it. In addition to finding great local produce, meats, fish, and many other fabulous vendors, Roadrunner Park also has a children's playground, a fishing pond, swimming pool, soccer fields, and is home to many special events. After noshing on all of the delicacies, I enjoy walking around the pond when visiting this local market.
My Favorite Vendors: Blue Sky Organic Farms, Noble Bread, BNaked Chocolate, Arizona Farms Cheese, Blue house Coffee, Desert Willow Botanicals
One of the things I love most about going to the farmers markets is connecting with local chefs, growers, artisans, and creators. The vendors are warm and engaging and they truly love sharing their passion for their specialties. There is a palpable sense of community when attending a farmers market, especially on a regular basis. I truly look forward to our weekly jaunts to the farmers market, seeing and supporting our local favorites, and discovering new finds to spice up our palates.
I would love to know what my readers are the most interested in seeing each week. Please drop me a line telling me what interests you most. Do you have something really interesting you would like me to share? I would love to hear about it!
Email: Susan@stopandbreathe.org, find me on: Instagram, Facebook, or visit my website: StopandBreathe.org