Many Arizona Farmers Markets Remain Open
Editor's note: Changes were made to reflect up-to-date information on March 19, 2020.
In this time of uncertainty, many Arizona Farmers Markets remain open. However, many are modifying their operations to best serve their customers. Since each farmers market is creating a plan that works best in their community, we recommend finding the market nearest you here and check their individual social media pages for the most up to date info.
Farmers markets provide essential services for food access in the same manner as grocery stores, pharmacies, and other essential public services. Rest assured that the markets staying open are going to every possible length to ensure your experience is sanitary and safe.
We’ll see you out there –– and greet you with a big smile, enthusiastic wave, and promise to stay 6 feet away.
Markets Across Arizona
Uptown Phoenix Farmers Market
Uptown Saturday will be popping from 8am-1pm at a different location this Saturday (3/21): Bethany Bible Church on 7th Avenue/Bethany Home which is just a few blocks from the usual site.
They have always been delighted to be both a grocery store AND a place to hang out and play together. They are temporarily postponing the "hang out and play together" aspects of market and will be focusing more on the "grocery store" component. This means no community dining spaces, no bounce house.
They will be stopping all sampling at the market, there will be no food samples set out, and please no touching of food or items on tables.
In the event of a closure, they are working on a system that we will be able to continue serving you.
Prescott Farmers Market
Prescott Farmers Market has an online shop up & running with market items to purchase for pickup!!! Place your order here. Their goal is to do this weekly at the least, so if things sell out, there will be a round 2 next week.
Purchases must be completed by 4 pm, Friday, March 20, in order to be picked up on Saturday, March 21.
SNAP/EBT Customers: please visit the site and then call 928-713-1227 with your order. Since we can't process your EBT card over the phone, you'll be able to pay in person, but we need to get your order ahead of time.
Thank you for your patience as we figure out this new system!
Santa Cruz River Farmers Market
Regular market functions are on hold until 4/16 so, for now, Community Food Bank staff will set-up a TRIAL, no-touch, drive-up market table to ensure customers and those using SNAP/Double-Up still have access to fruits and vegetables on Thursdays.
Drive up market will be open Thursdays from 3:00-5:00pm and will be located in front of the Mercado San Agustin in the parking spots along Avenida del Convento.
Customers will be asked to remain in their vehicles, and choose from a short list of pre-bagged items.
Customers can pay with credit, debit, SNAP/food stamps, or cash. The Double-Up Food Bucks matching for SNAP/food stamps will remain available to customers.
Unfortunately, some markets such as the Nogales Little Mercado Farmers Market, will not be open this weekend. Check the social media feeds for the markets closest to you to stay connected. If your market is closed, consider placing an online grocery order for delivery! We’ve rounded up some local options here.
Pinnacle Prevention & Double Up Arizona are temporarily removing the $20 daily Double Up Food Bucks incentive limit, effective immediately at all active Double Up sites.
For those unfamiliar with the program, it allows you to spend $1 on SNAP eligible food items with your SNAP Quest/EBT (formerly food stamps) Card and get $1 to spend on Arizona-grown fruits & veggies with Double Up Food Bucks.
Find sites that offer Double Up Food Bucks here.
We’re heeding the below words from Bo Mostow of Uptown Farmers Market, and hope you will consider them, too:
Many events have started canceling citing 'the responsible thing to do'. Those events involve cars, books, sports, etc, and we are in full support of decreasing exposure in that way. However, we are a grocery store, folks come to us for their food, their nourishment. In this way, we feel we are in the opposite position: That the responsible thing for us to do is to continue to remain open, so that food vendors who want to be here will have the opportunity to sell, and so that customers who need to venture out for food, will have the opportunity to buy.
During any difficult situation, everyone has a specific set of needs.
Your need is access to food, and for your local food supply to continue unfettered.
Our vendors need for their small food businesses to remain supported and afloat during times of uncertainty.
The Health Department's need is for us as businesses and customers to stand up and do our part to take increased precautions so that they don't have to ask us to close.
The community need is for all of us to be cautious. Wash your hands frequently. Stay home if you are sick. Listen only to leading experts. Be calm and smart.