Tucson Food: Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market Relocates June 16
by Karyn Zoldan on May. 13, 2011, under Desert Locavore, Farmers Markets
So. Ariz. grown produce
The Community Food Bank’s Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market will move to Mercado San Agustin on June 16, 2011. The market, which has gained national recognition for serving low-income communities in Tucson, is responding to an increase in vendors and the need for more space. Market hours will remain 4 to 7 pm on Thursdays.
The Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market is the largest and most well-established of the food bank’s six farmers’ markets in Tucson and accepts SNAP benefits (food stamp cards), WIC checks and AZ Farmers’ Market nutrition vouchers. The market began with eight vendors in 2005 and has grown to 18 to 22 vendors from all over Southern Arizona.
The new location will offer more parking, more vendor space, and more shelter from the elements. It will also allow shoppers to visit some of the newly opened small local businesses of the Mercado San Agustin that sell a variety of goods including pastries (from La Estrella Bakery), tacos and raspados.
The Mercado San Agustin is located at 100 S. Avenida del Convento, west of I-10 near the intersection of Congress and Grande in the Menlo Park neighborhood. It’s across the street from El Rio Community Health Center on bus routes 21 and 22. The grand opening is this weekend May 13-15.
