New Farmers Market

THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT comes directly from Heirloom Farmers Market…

“Iconic Farmer’s Market partners with Pima County for permanent space

On Sunday, July 6, 2014 , The Heirloom Farmers Market Group will be launching its newest and largest market at Rillito Park from 8am to noon.  They will be celebrating the opening with dozens of market vendors, food trucks, live music and chef demonstrations on this Independence Day weekend.  In collaboration with Heirloom and The Rillito Park foundation,  Pima County intends to build a permanent farmers market pavilion that will be the destination for all local food. “We are creating a place that aligns with our mission of celebrating, connecting and educating the community of all that local food has to offer”, says Manish Shah, co-director of the Heirloom Farmers Markets.

The Heirloom Farmers Market will be set on the west end of the grandstands at the Rillito Race track while awaiting the construction of the permanent food pavilion along The Loop.

In October 2013, Heirloom teamed up with the Oro Valley Mayor, Satish Hiremath and Council to build a permanent structure at Steam Pump Ranch which was a huge success.  “Pima County and Oro Valley investing in the creation of large permanent food hubs is evidence of the growing enthusiasm for local food which has also made our magazine such a success”, said Doug Biggers, Editor and Publisher of Edible Baja Arizona.  The Heirloom Farmers Market at Rillito Park will feature their wide variety of vendors which include the area’s finest ranchers, farmers, small food businesses and bakeries who are committed to bringing fresh, high-quality local foods directly to their customers every week.

Shah started at the Sunday Tucson Farmers Market at St. Philip’s plaza in 1998 as a vendor and took over the management of the market in 2002.  “I started with 17 vendors, many of which are still with us,” Shah said.  “We built the market over the last 16 years and can now meet the demands for more vendors and food events while also addressing the shortage of parking in the much larger location of Rillito Park.“

Category: Community, FOOD & DRINK, The Scoop