Though many locals in Graham County may have forgotten, the Safford Farmers Market is alive and well.
Every Tuesday and Saturday starting at 7:30 a.m., farmers from across the Gila Valley set up shop in the parking lot of the Graham County Chamber of Commerce to sell their finest fruits and vegetables. It’s important for customers to arrive early because once the farmers have sold their goods, they leave for the day. About 15 people are involved with putting on the Safford Farmers Market, according to market manager Frank Lauter.
The market opened June 1 and will run as long as the farmers have produce available, Lauter said. Some items customers can find at the market include onions, peppers, squash, garlic, peaches, apricots, jams and melons. Farmer Roy Barney of Pima, who has been farming for about 70 years, said the melons, including cantaloupe and watermelon, will be plentiful at the end of June. Rochelle Figueroa, nutritionist at the Graham County Health Department, said all of the food is grown locally and that it’s also healthier because the produce is fresh and normally free of pesticides. The Health Department provides $30 coupon books for 400 families in the Gila Valley through a WIC (Women, Infants and Children) grant, and those coupon books can be used at the farmers market. These families also receive checks for $8-10 per month for fruits and vegetables. Those checks can be used to purchase items at the Farmers Market.
Figueroa said that in addition to getting organic food at good prices, there is also a personal touch to the Farmers Market. “You can relate and talk with the farmers,” she said. “It’s very personal customer service.” When money is spent at the Farmers Market, customers can be sure the money is staying local and supporting the community. Figueroa encourages the general public and all WIC recipients to take advantage of the fresh, healthy food and the friendly environment of the Farmers Market.
Eastern Arizona Courier – By Brian Wright, Staff Writer
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