Phoenix Travel 101: Farmers' Markets

November 2, 2:52 PMPhoenix Travel ExaminerJay Hammond

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Phoenix Travel Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Vendor at the Downtown Phoenix Public Market on a sunny spring day.

J. Hammond 2007

Feel like a exploring some of the wonderful local produce, foods and products that make Phoenix unique? Plan to attend one or more of the many farmers' markets taking place around the Valley. Some of these markets are seasonal. Others are held all year round. The Downtown Phoenix Market has even opened a permanent building so you don't have to do your shopping all on one day!

Farmers' markets in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area include:

• Ahwatukee Farmers' Market - This year-round farmers market at 4700 E. Warner Rd. changes with the seasons. Open Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (mid-October thru April), 8 a.m. to Noon (May and June) and 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. (July thru mid-October).
• Carefree Farmers' Market – You'll find it in the Amphitheater Gardens at the corner of Easy Street and Ho Hum Way (no, really, these are the names of the streets) every Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. This is a seasonal market taking place from mid-October to mid-May.
• Chandler Farmers' Market – This market is a great opportunity to experience downtown Chandler. Held in Dr. A.J. Chandler Park every Thursday of the year (except holidays) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dr. A.J. Chandler Park is located south of the southwest corner of Chandler Blvd. And Arizona Ave.
• Central City South Farmers' Market – The southwest corner of 7th Ave. and Buckeye turns into this farmers market twice a month, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, from 8 a.m. to Noon, year-round.
• Downtown Phoenix Public Market – This market is so popular it is held on First Fridays and every Saturday of the year. Friday hours are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday hours are 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located at 721 N. Central. Did you know: The Downtown Phoenix Public Market hosted the epicurious.com local food tour in the summer of 2009?
• Fountain Hills Nocturnal Farmers and Crafts Market – If you like to sleep in, this is the farmers market for you! Open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Friday night from November 5 to May 27 at Avenue of the Fountains.
• Gilbert Farmers' Market – You'll find this market in and around the Gazebo at Gilbert's Farmhouse Village (on Gilbert Rd. between Elliott and Warner) every Saturday of the year between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Glendale's Twlilight Farmers' Market - This farmers' market at Citadella Plaza in Arrowhead Ranch (59th Ave. and Utopia) is open from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Wednesday for those of you that aren't morning people.
• Goodyear's Estrella Lakeside Market – Estrella Mountain Ranch, located south of Elliot on Estrella Parkway (I-10 exit 126), hosts this market on the third Saturday of the month from mid-October to mid-May. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• HappyDirt Veggie Patch at the Farm at South Mountain – Whew! That's a mouthful and that's exactly what you'll find at 6106 S. 32nd St. between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. every Saturday from October through mid-July.
• Market at DC Ranch – This seasonal market occupies the southeast corner of Pima and Thompson Peak Rds. On Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Mercado Del Lago Market – On the first Saturday of every month from November to May you'll find this market at 8320 N. Hayden Rd. between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Mesa Community Farmers' Market – On Friday mornings from 9 a.m. To Noon 263 N. Center St. in Mesa turns into this farmers' market year-round.
• Mesa's Market on Main – Every Saturday, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. this market can be found at Main and MacDonald Streets. This is a seasonal market open October through May.
• Patriots' Square Marketplace – Visit Patriots Square at Washington and Central on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. from mid-October to April and you'll find this market.
• Phoenix Camelback Market – From mid-September to early May, this market is held every Saturday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at 3930 E. Camelback Rd.
• Reata Pass & Greasewood Flats Market – Sundays are a great day for a drive and this market's hours (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.) are perfect for those wanting to get away from the city for a bit. You'll find it at 27500 N. Alma School Parkway between October and the beginning of April.
• Roadrunner Park Farmer's Market – This year-round market held on Saturdays at 3502 E. Cactus changes its hours in deference to the heat. From October through April its open from 8 a.m. to Noon. It opens an hour earlier at 7 a.m. from May to September.
• Scottsdale's 5th Avenue Farmers' Market – This market is a great reason to visit Old Town Scottsdale on Saturdays from October to May. Open from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5th Ave. and Craftsman Court.
• Scottsdale's Friday Thunderbird Market – The East Thunderbird Square Center at Thunderbird and Scottsdale Rd. hosts this market between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. every Friday from October to May.
• Scottsdale Seville Open Air Market – From October to the end of May, you'll find this market at 7001 N. Scottsdale Rd. every Thursday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Skysong Evening Market - Stop by the ASU Skysong Center in Scottsdale (1475 N. Scottsdale Rd.) between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. for a fresh look at one of the area's newest farmers' markets.
• Town and Country Market – You'll find this market at 2021 E. Camelback every Wednesday of the year between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Wesley Bolin Plaza Farmers' Market – If you are near downtown Phoenix on Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., check out this market at Washington and 17th Ave. This is a seasonal market open from mid-October through mid-May.
• Westside Food Bank – OK, a food bank isn't what comes to mind when most people think of farmers' markets. Experience something different every Monday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. all year round at 4211 N. 43rd Ave.