There are so many kinds of delicious produce grown across Arizona, but one group of crops is extra special: indigenous fruits and vegetables! You can find tons of produce that is native to Arizona at your favorite farmers market – cactus, mesquite bean pods, corn, beans, squash, prickly pear fruit and more all have a rich history based in our state’s diverse landscape and climate. Sustenance in the desert requires time and care. Learning about these plants can teach us about our local culture, our environment and food systems, and the importance of sustainable farming.
With all of the wonderful produce Arizona markets have to offer, it’s easy to go overboard with your Double Up Food Bucks purchases. If you find yourself unable to consume all your produce and don’t want to be wasteful, consider composting. It’s an easy way to cut down on your excess waste and keep it out of the landfill!
Double Up Food Bucks Arizona is proud to celebrate Earth Day! We only get one Earth, and it’s everyone’s job to keep it happy and healthy. When you use Double Up Food Bucks at participating markets, you are nourishing the planet and helping to make every day Earth Day in our beautiful state.
Double Up Food Bucks Arizona had a fantastic year, and we can’t wait to see what 2018 has in store! In 2017, we expanded to more markets, brought more families and individuals healthy and local produce, and highlighted some of the hard-working farmers, farmers markets, market managers and communities that make this program possible. Here is a breakdown of our best year yet:
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.
Spring might seem like the best time to plant a garden, but in Arizona where the winters are mild, a fall garden is a great option.
Planting in fall has its benefits. The soil is still warm, and roots continue to grow until it gets cooler. There are plenty of sunny and temperate days, which are perfect for spending an afternoon in your garden! You can also worry less about pests harming your harvest, because many bugs fade away as the weather cools.
Farmers markets are great places to stock up on fresh produce and unique goods, but they can also be catalysts for change. Many farmers markets promote sustainability through environmentally-friendly practices. Check out some of the ways farmers markets are champions for the environment, and find out how you can do your part each time you shop.
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.
The American Farmland Trust’s Farmers Market Celebration is raising awareness about the importance of farmers markets to growers and communities across the country, and we’re taking part in it all summer long. Our focus over the next few weeks is on farmers markets and the people that go above and beyond in bringing healthy food to neighborhoods that need it the most. Many farmers markets assist low-income neighbors, work with vulnerable seniors, donate food to local food banks, or accept federal food and nutrition program benefits.
Double Up Food Bucks can help you stretch your food budget, but there are plenty of ways to stretch it even further. We want to help you get the most out of your money! Let’s set the scene: You’ve just returned from the farmers market with a trove of fresh fruits and veggies for you and your family. You’ve sliced, diced, chopped, and cubed everything you need for your next healthy meal, but what happens to the excess?
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.
If it’s your first time planning a trip to your local farmers market, you may not know what to expect. What should you bring with you? If you’re using your SNAP Quest Card and Double Up Food Bucks, where should you go first? Get the most out of your shopping trip with these tips:
1. Plan ahead. When it comes to shopping for food, going in with a game plan saves time at the market and cuts down on food waste. Research some recipes beforehand, and have a clear purpose for all the food on your grocery list. It also helps to know which fruits and veggies will be in season at the time of your shopping trip. Here’s a helpful guide to Arizona’s in-season fruits and veggies.
