Local First AZ (statewide group) is encouraging Arizonans to shop locally at independent businesses, during Independents Week (4th of July week), and receive discounts by downloading a golden coupon, worth 20% off at the 197 participating businesses on their website.

For Tucson & Pima County, view the list of about 40 participating businesses of this special offer:

http://www.localfirstaz.com/independents-week/golden-coupon.php

More businesses are listed on page 7 of Zocalo Magazine’s June issue. See it here.

And even more in the July/August issue of Zocalo (click here).

Some of the local participating businesses are the Loft Cinema (concessions only),Delectables Restaurant & Catering, Gloo Factory, Hotel Congress & Maynard’s Market & Kitchen, Deco: Art for Living, and Yikes Toys & Gifts.

What a great way to support our local businesses. I already printed my Golden Coupon for use all next week!

Shop locally.

We discovered a new farmer’s market at Maynard’s Market, 400 N. Toole Avenue on Saturday October 29, only in its 3rd week. It’s located behind the Old Train Depot where Maynard’s Market & Kitchen is located, across from the Hotel Congress.

There were about 20 different vendors — almost all food, such as baked goods, goat cheese, tortillas, tamales, coffee, tea, Alaskan salmon, salsa, meat products, vegetables, fruits, bean soup, etc. There were delicous samples to try, plus healthy plants (cacti & succulents) to purchase, as well as lovely woven baskets to carry all your goodies in. The market will be there every Saturday, 9 to 1 p.m.

List of which vendors are there at Maynards (so far): http://farmersmarkettucson.com/the-markets/sat-at-maynards. I liked the seasonal pumpkin bread by Small Planet Bakery, the delicous tea samples by Maya Tea Company, the Scottish scones by Adobe Rose Scones.

See quote below from website about the historic setting: http://farmersmarkettucson.com/:

Opening Saturday, October 15, 2011, the Tucson Farmers’ Market at Maynard’s will be bringing the freshest possible foods direct to your table from the farmers themselves. Join us every Saturday morning as we celebrate Tucson’s long standing agricultural traditions in a setting that mirrors our local culture and history. As you peruse the many booths and fill your baskets with fresh produce and baked goods, stop to admire the statues of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, commemorating the shootout that took place on these very tracks. Or, visit the Southern Arizona Transportation Museum and Locomotive #1673 at the west end, celebrating the railroad that transformed life in Tucson–a railroad that continues to operate today.

Also new to this enterprise will be a “Farm to Table” event every Sunday, at 5 p.m. when the freshest produce from the market will be transformed & cooked into wonderful dishes for the dining table. Only 16 lucky reservations are accepted. Call now at 520-545-0577 for reservations or speak with Maynard’s Market manager Tom Hickey, 520-425-0625 (c).

And Maynard’s is still dedicated to providing the freshest local food products and other locally made merchandise.

The general store # is 520-882-2157. Check out this new farmer’s market downtown next Saturday, or the “Food to Table” dinner on Sunday.