Image Courtesy of Fountain Hills Farmers Market
I have been on somewhat of a healthy eating kick lately. My latest obsession has been starting each day with a delicious fruit and veggie smoothie. So, when I found out the Fountain Hills Farmers Market 2013-2014 season had started I was excited to find out what farm fresh goodies might be available that I could possibly add to my daily fix. Because I am sweet and kind (don’t laugh, I really am), I decided to write a blog post about it so I could share this information with you, my dear reader(s) and I immediately contacting them to request more information.
I received the following detailed reply filling me in on the exciting expansion they have planned for this season: “Currently there are 43 vendors, 36 of which have confirmed and are participating. There are at least 6 more that are in the process of applying and several others that have been referred to us. We are hopeful that they will meet the application requirements (all necessary licenses & insurance). Once the market is in full swing we expect to have between 45 – 55 vendors any given week with one or more local farmers providing select local produce each week. This is the most robust farmers market in AZ for its size when taking into consideration the cross section of vendors that we have brought to this market. It will be shown in ‘Spirit’ magazine as a great day destination as the combined event with Art on the Avenue will add an additional 35 or more artists in any given week.”
After reading this I was anxious to check it out. I was told that this week the market was going to held in front of the library to accommodate the vendors that are setting up for the Annual Arts and Crafts Festival that is being held on the Avenue of the Fountains this weekend. Yesterday afternoon I stopped by to introduce myself to Aaron & Liz Eckburg, the market managers and owners of Go lb Salt, and to have a look around. Aaron said for the first time there are 2 local produce grower vendors; The Farm at Agritopia and Bravo Farm and that he is working on adding 2 additional farmers in the upcoming weeks.
The Farm at Agritopia. Photo Courtesy of Fountain Hills Farmers Market
Bravo Farm Pomegranate
In addition to the farmers that were on hand yesterday, the following vendors were there showcasing their products as well:
Avalon Gourmet-Specialty cheeses, dried pastas and sauces. Selection will vary from week to week.
Bravo Farm-Locally grown organic vegetables & fruit.
Bread Brothers Bakery-Homemade breads. They grow, grind and bake their own grains.
Claudine’s Kitchen-Lebanese Cuisine. Baba ghanoush, hummus. Vegan friendly and raw.
Copper Creek Cheesecake-8 oz personal cheesecakes served in mason jars. All natural, no preservatives.
Decio Pasta-All natural pasta, low in sodium and fat. Linguines & Fettuccines are vegan.
Don’s Cutting Edge-Cutlery, Scissor, Salon Shears and Garden Tool Sharpening.
Dry Bay Fish Company-Alaskan Wild King Salmon, Sockeye Salmon, and Smoked Salmon
French Ambiance – Chef Jean-pastries, quiches, beef bourguignon pockets, and ready-to-eat meals.
Go lb. Salt-Sea salts, organic peppercorns, organic flavored cane sugars, and other organic herbs & spice blends. Creators of rim-licks, Dressing UP! and FACON, all vegan, chemical, gluten, dairy & soy free, natural & organic flavored seasonings.
Grandma’s Kitchen-Pepper jellies and apple butter.
Herlocher Foods-Dipping Mustards. Gluten free, salt free, fat free.
Iss’s Mixes-Oatmeal, Oatmeal Mixes, and Maca Energy Bars.
Made By Bees- Local, raw, unfiltered Honey and no sugar added Fruit Spreads.
Nuckles Meat Products-Beef, Elk, Venison, Bison and Turkey Jerky.
Precious Sauces, LLC-Mild and hot sauces made with whole food ingredients, no artificial flavors, concentrated pepper powder or vinegar.
Purple Gurls Popcorn-Gourmet Popcorn.
Sogno Toscano-Natural infused olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Southwest Seed Collector-Herbs and plants for your garden
The Farm at Agritopia-Certified organic urban farm.
The Tamale Store-Traditional Tamales. Made without lard or shortenings, Gluten Free, No Preservatives, and many are dairy free.
Toffee Break-Handcrafted English toffee
Zen Fusion Tea, LLC-Loose whole leaf tea, herb and spices
Appletini with Go Lb Salt Rimlick. Photo Courtesy of Fountain Hills Farmers Market
Southwest Seed Collector. Photo Courtesy of Fountain Hills Farmers Market
Additional Confirmed Vendors:
Aunt Ninny’s Cookies
Bergies Coffee
Big Apple Biscotti
Eat Me Gourmet Catering
Nana Tee’s Salsa
PB Americano
Power of Two J’s, LLC
Sandy Paws Pet Treats
Urban Survival
Vendors Not Yet Confirmed:
Circle Key Farms
Gourmet Blends
Grate Roots
Mary Ann’s Marketplace
Nonna’s Organic Sauces
Pepper Ranch Produce
Pistol Whipped Pastry
Purple Frog
Rim Country Jams
Starting this coming Thursday, November 14th, 2013- April 17, 2014, the Farmer’s Market will be held every Thursday from 11am -5pm in its regular location, the West side of the Avenue of the Fountains. Each week they will be adding new vendors and they expect to be in full swing by the 1st of December. Please note: there will be no market on Thursday, November 28th, 2013 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Additional information and updates can be found clicking on the following links:
Fountain Hills Farmer’s Market Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
General Questions: contact@fhfarmersmarket.com
Vendor Questions: Vendors@dutchmansmarkets.com
P.S. Art on the Avenue is held at the same time on the East end of the Avenue of the Fountains. You know, kinda like a 2 for 1!
This entry is cross posted on Phoenix NE Valley: Real Estate, Lifestyle & Living
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