Prescott Farmers Market (PFM) celebrates National Farmers Market Week on Saturday, August 12, 2023 during its 26th summer season. National Farmers Market Week is an annual celebration of farmers markets declared by the US Department of Agriculture, bringing attention to the essential role that farmers markets play in our local food systems and in developing resilience in communities as hubs for local economies and connection.
Since August 9, 1997, when the Prescott Farmers Market opened with a handful of farmers behind the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, PFM has hosted a marketplace that highlights the work of local growers. In 2012, PFM became a 501c3 nonprofit organization to increase awareness of the local food system and amplify its importance in the local economy. As farmers were able to erect greenhouses and lay row cover that enabled them to grow food during the colder months, PFM extended the market in 2014 to increase access to fresh vegetables year-round. In 2020, PFM found a home at the Dignity Health-YRMC staff parking lot, where greater visibility and an increased interest in local food after the pandemic have resulted in up to 3,000 customers every Saturday generating support for its 60 vendors to the tune of $1.7 million in combined sales in 2022. The annual operations of Prescott Farmers Market generates $41.6 million in economic activity, supports 235 full-time equivalent jobs, produces $10.3 million in labor income, and produces $899,900 in state and local tax revenues on an annual basis.
PFM hosts the market every Saturday from 7:30am to 12:00pm at 900 Iron Springs Road at the intersection of Miller Valley and Iron Springs Roads. August is always an exciting time of year as farmers bring many summer seasonal fruits and vegetables, including corn, squash, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, potatoes, cucumbers, green beans, cabbage, peaches and blackberries. Market goers enjoy ready-to-eat foods like burgers, baked goods and pastries, bagels, quiche, tamales, street tacos, samosas and Lebanese cuisine, plus coffee, kombucha and aguas frescas. Customers can also find an assortment of handmade soaps, lotions and other body care products. Prescott Farmers Market operates a producer-only farmers market, meaning every item sold is either grown or produced by the seller using Arizona-grown ingredients. The majority of products come from farmers and ranchers in Yavapai County.
Customers can swipe their debit, credit or SNAP/EBT cards to receive tokens at the green Information Booth. The Double Up Food Bucks Arizona program allows customers to DOUBLE their SNAP benefits at the market for fresh fruits and vegetables and garden starts. All vendors accept cash. Participants of the WIC and CSFP programs are eligible to receive $80 and $100, respectively, in Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons for immediate use at PFM. Coupons must be used on Arizona-grown fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs.
Pets are not allowed at the market. ADA service animals specifically trained to aid a person with a disability are welcome.
On August 12, customers can taste what’s fresh with Chef CJ Neilsen at PFM’s Chef in Action booth. The market is an inclusive, family-friendly event. All special market events, including a vendor roster for each market day, are listed on PFM’s online calendar.
Prescott Farmers Market drives the economy and community connection through its programs as well. PFM serves as the food scrap drop site for the Prescott Community Compost Project. Citizens can deposit fruit and vegetable kitchen scraps to be composted. Market goers can see the Feed Your Neighbors program in action most Saturdays too as volunteers gather orders from farmers to help fight food insecurity in our community. NoCo Community Kitchen, set to open soon, is a shared kitchen located on North Cortez Street that will serve local food businesses by providing a safe and reliable space to prepare food. The Vendor Development Program supports the people and businesses that make local food possible.
As a vital part of the economy, the mission of Prescott Farmers Market is to support and expand local agriculture, cultivate a healthy community and increase access to affordable local food. PFM is a nonprofit organization and a Qualifying Charitable Tax Credit Organization with the State of Arizona.
For more information, visit www.prescottfarmersmarket.org or call 928-713-1227.
