Growing your own food can be an affordable way to get your favorite produce in the convenience of your own home. The planting season is approaching quickly, and being prepared ahead of time will let your garden flourish and help you get the most out of the planting season. Since we have such a warm climate from spring on, many fruits and vegetables can have full growing seasons, even harvesting late into July. Check out these tips for spring planting that will give you a head start this season!
Visiting your favorite farmers market with your friends and family creates meaningful relationships with your local community and food, and also gets everyone involved in meal times! Going to the market with a specific recipe in mind can help increase your savings and cut down on food waste.
September 15 marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino people and communities!
Have you ever wondered how to incorporate certain fruits and vegetables into meals? Or how your local produce is grown? If so, ask a local farmer! Part of doubling up on your produce involves getting to know the local farmers to ensure you are getting the best bang for your food buck. Here are some of the questions to ask during your next visit to the farmers market:
Double Up Food Bucks Arizona helps people all over the state bring home more fresh produce, connect with their communities, and support their local farmers. Hear some stories from Double Up customers to learn more about how this program is a win for families, farmers and communities.
Getting children interested in grocery shopping can be a difficult task, but involving them in the process can be engaging and will help teach them more about the food they eat, and also where that food came from. Next time you head to the farmers market, bring your kids along and follow these tips to make the outing fun, educational, and impactful.
The Open Air Market at the Phoenix Public Market is one of the many spots where SNAP customers can use Double Up Food Bucks! On Saturdays, you can head to this market to Double Up on fresh fruits and veggies. Here’s what members of the community had to say about the Double Up program, and how buying local food is beneficial for everyone.
Meet your Arizona farmers, businesses, market managers and more in our "Voices of Arizona Farmers Markets" series! This week we spoke with Doug Henderson from Lewis' Hen House & Veggie Farm at the Roadrunner Park Farmers Market. Stop by the market every Saturday morning to meet farmers, connect with the community and double up on locally-grown fruits and vegetables.
Stay tuned for more stories from our Double Up Food Bucks Arizona farmers markets and partners!
Meet your Arizona farmers, businesses, market managers and more in our "Voices of Arizona Farmers Markets" series! We visited the Prescott Farmers Market, where we spoke with Shanti Rade from Whipstone Farm. Stop by the market every Saturday morning to meet farmers, connect with the community and double up on locally-grown fruits and vegetables.
Have you been seeing lots of mysterious greens sprouting up at the market lately? Microgreens may be the reason. These luscious, bright spreads of sprout-like leafy veggies are cropping up across Arizona markets, but many customers aren’t sure what they are, or more importantly, how to use them.
Meet your Arizona farmers, businesses, market managers and more in our "Voices of Arizona Farmers Markets" series! We visited the Prescott Farmers Market, where we spoke with Sarah Hyde from Hassayampa Vineyard and Farm. Stop by the market every Saturday morning to meet farmers, connect with the community and double up on locally-grown fruits and vegetables.
Meet your Arizona farmers, businesses, market managers and more in our "Voices of Arizona Farmers Markets" series! Our first stop was at Roadrunner Park Farmers Market, where we spoke with Guy Gillespie from On the Vine Farms. Stop by the market every Saturday morning to meet farmers, connect with neighbors, and double up on locally-grown fruits and vegetables.
Over the last few months, we've been highlighting some of Arizona's incredible farmers markets and organizations as part of the American Farmland Trust's Farmers Market Celebration. We've celebrated markets that go above and beyond in supporting family farmers, bringing healthy food to all, and acting as pillars of their communities.
The final pillar of the celebration focuses on how farmers markets can be champions for the environment. One such organization in Arizona who promotes sustainability in everything they do, is the Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA), a community-based nonprofit dedicated to developing a sustainable and just food system in Ajo, Arizona. Their team also runs the Authentically Ajo Farmers Market, bringing fresh produce to their community every week.
As the summer goes on, so does the Farmers Market Celebration! We’re continuing to raise awareness about how impactful farmers markets are, and how much they benefit our communities. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be focusing on how farmers markets become pillars of community and bring people together. Many farmers markets celebrate the uniqueness of their hometowns, and many act as a central gathering place for neighbors and vendors.
When a farmers market opens in a neighborhood, the entire community benefits. These markets often act as important points of access for healthy food for community members who need it the most. This week, we’re highlighting more Arizona markets that go above and beyond in championing healthy food for all as we take part in the American Farmland Trust’s Farmers Market Celebration.
Over the next few months, Double Up Food Bucks Arizona is highlighting our incredible markets and growers as part of the American Farmland Trust’s Farmers Market Celebration. We reached out to a few markets that go above and beyond when it comes to supporting family farmers and educating their communities about the issues family farmers face.
Last week, we celebrated an exciting launch of a new farmers market in El Oso Park in Maryvale, a community located in west Phoenix that has low access to quality food sources. We’re thrilled to work with local organizations and growers to help increase access to healthy food for this community, and hope this effort can serve as an example of the benefits of farmers markets in food insecure areas across the state.
A recent Feeding America study found that 15.8 percent of Arizonans are food insecure. Urban sprawl, lack of grocery stores and inadequate public transportation leave many who reside in food desert communities with the task of traveling though the extreme Arizona heat for basic needs and groceries. Many rural communities face similar challenges. Farmers markets can help bridge this gap and increase access to healthier food in every community.
There are many misconceptions and myths about farmers markets and local goods. Is it really more expensive to buy produce at a market instead of a grocery store? Aren’t organic fruits in the produce section the same as those at market stands? Once you learn more about the misconceptions of farmers markets, you may find you’d like to try shopping at one.
Local farmers markets are great for families, farmers and communities, so why not try something fun and fresh? If you get the chance, check out a market in your neighborhood this season!
