Diana Balazs – May. 9, 2009
The Arizona Republic

Valley farmers markets have come up with cool ways to keep their ventures open during the long hot summer.

They start early, drape shade cloth over aisles and set up misting systems.
But one city has come up with a novel way to extend the life of its market.
Scottsdale’s Old Town Farmers Market will go underground in June. Since November, the Saturday market has operated at street level on a city-owned parking structure downtown near Brown Avenue and Second Street.

Robin Meinhart, the city’s downtown liaison, said the market will be set up in the lower level of the parking structure from June 6 to July 4. A portable misting system will be installed to keep produce and people from wilting. The market is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

Of the approximately two dozen farmers markets in the Valley, several stay open year-round, including the one at Roadrunner Park in northeast Phoenix. That market has operated for 18 years and runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the park, 3502 E. Cactus Road.

The Arizona Community Farmers Market runs the Roadrunner and Scottsdale markets. It also runs year-round markets in Mesa and Ahwatukee, founder manager Dee Logan said. Logan said summer is salad time with lettuce and tomatoes as well as melons and other fruit available.
“All those things that make life easier when you’re in a hot climate are coming up now,” she said.

Patrons craving locally produced goods from organic vegetables to artisan breads don’t mind shopping in the heat. The vendors don’t mind either. Logan said more and more vendors continue on through the summer.

Kelly Garcia sells cupcakes and other pastries at Scottsdale’s farmers market. She looks forward to participating this summer.

“It is a great opportunity for people downtown and in the surrounding areas to depend on a local market,” she said.

Scottsdale neighbors Margaret Melanson and Carmen Padgett are already Saturday regulars. They were happy to hear that the Scottsdale market will continue.

“We’d come. Without a doubt,” Padgett said.

The 4-year-old downtown Phoenix Public Market run by Community Food Connections operates throughout the year, rain or shine, said Cindy Gentry, Community Food Connections director.
The market is open from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the southeastern corner of Central Avenue and McKinley Street.

“We have produce year-round. Our goal is to increase access to healthy foods and to keep farmers on the land,” Gentry said.

She said customers do not mind the heat and enjoy buying locally produced goods.

“There is a sense of community and creativity and openness. I always feel like what we’re trying to do is set the table and invite people in,” she said.

Shade cloths cover the aisles, and portable coolers are used to offset the heat.

“We figure out ways. Some of them aren’t the most graceful or the most beautiful. We like to say our produce is always fresh, but maybe our farmer’s aren’t,” Gentry joked.

For a list of farmers markets go to food.azcentral.com.