Sedona Farmers' Market on Airport Mesa

Sedona Farmers' Market on Airport Mesa

Winter market begins Sunday Nov 15th from noon to 4pm

SEDONA, AZ (November 2, 2009) - When the idea of a Sedona Farmers Market was first tossed around in the beginning of the year, it was not clear whether or not there were enough local growers to even start a market. The market went ahead anyway and we are proud to say “it was built and they came,” locals and visitors alike. The Sedona Community Farmers’ Market successfully completed its first summer season on October 9, 2009 at its home on Sedona's Airport Mesa.

Each Friday morning this summer the market featured an average of 35 vendors, local musicians, and special appearances by “Jasmine” the market’s goat mascot at the airport. It proved to be Sedona’s very own celebration of local flavor.

Jasmine, the Sedona Farmers' Market mascot with happy shopper. Photo by: Karen Themitz

Not only could you be sure to see new and old friends at the market, each one of us who came was able to build relationships with the farmers and the foods we eat. Food became more than a commodity: the heirloom tomatoes, the fresh delicious fingerling potatoes, the beautiful eggplants, the farm fresh eggs, the local musicians, and all the delicious delights that the vendors provided gave us a reason each week to celebrate!

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The conversations that arose around the food – whether it was about recipes created and or stories of meals shared – also helped to create a sense of community.

Food has always been about sharing, and sharing creates community. The foundation of a community is the relationships formed that are based in reciprocity, equality, respect and kindness. Now more than ever, it’s important to strengthen these relationships and renew our sense of place around shared values. Some new relationships were even established between growers and Sedona restaurant owners.

The market was also an opportunity to assess local food pathways. Eating local food not only reduces our carbon footprint but is usually more nutritious as its freshly picked and brought to us on the same day. In order to expand those pathways and continue to build our local food supplies long-term, we are excited to announce the Winter Farmers Market.

Local musicians Dos Geckos play the Sedona Farmers' Market mascot with happy marketeer. Photo by: Karen Themitz

This market will be held every Sunday beginning November 15th from Noon – 4pm at the Sedona Airport.

This winter venue will continue to support the local growers who already grow year round, and hopefully will encourage new growers not only locally, but also from warmer Arizona regions who will bring up their fruits, lettuces and other fine vegetables. This is the only Winter Farmers Market in Northern Arizona!

A common concern for most people is whether or not the farmers at the market use fertilizer or pesticides. As part of the application process to sell at the market, all growers are asked to submit their farm practices and philosophy. Farm inspections are carried out and all growers have to submit a crop plan for the season to assure authentic local quality and natural growing practices. We ensure that the produce at the market is grown with organic principles; however, growers are not permitted to use the “organic” label unless they have organic certification. There are less than a handful of organically certified growers in Arizona and they farm over 100 acres. Growers at our market farm between .25 and 5 acres which makes the cost of U.S. Government certification - $26,000 –out of reach for most small family operations. Also, no reselling is allowed at the market - this means that no one is allowed to sell produce unless it is grown by them on their own land.

The location at the airport has been well received and the weather gods have been mostly supportive. The heat in August kept some people away and so a future second evening summer venue in 2010 is being discussed at this time.

We give special thanks to all the vendors, the people who came each week to support this endeavor, to Gardens of Humanity for organizing gardening talks, to Sedona Recycles for providing the recycling program, to the Oak Creek Airport Authority, and the City of Sedona Council Staff for helping us make it all happen.
Special thanks also to Mary Fisher for donating beautiful hand-made tote bags to the market, the total proceeds of which are being donated to the local Food Bank and Meals-On-Wheels.

To continue to support these programs, the market is producing a Market Sampler CD featuring musicians from the 2009 Summer Season to be released at the Winter Market. And in July of 2010, the market is launching a program of regular deliveries of fresh produce to the local food bank. The market is WIC certified so that vendors can accept the vouchers and coupons offered through the Farmers Market Nutrition Program which are distributed by Community Health Services to those who are eligible as part of the program sponsored by the USDA. It’s also in the process of qualifying to accept food stamps.

The market is a pending 501c3 non-profit organization which will have the ability to build deep and wide roots in the community. The market hopes to be a voice for building and protecting our local food shed and at the same time providing a fun and entertaining event where locals and visitors alike find quality nourishment in community and food.

For more information, please contact Katrin Themlitz, Founder/Director at katrin.themlitz@gmail.com or call (928) 821-1133