Bisbee Farmers Market
Our History
The Bisbee Farmers Market was started in 2002 by three Bisbee women (Sandra Corn, Valerie McCaffrey and Judy Tauscher) who dreamed of offering local farmers and handcrafters a place to sell their home-grown and hand-made products. All three women live or lived in the Warren district of Bisbee and wanted to bring locals and tourists to this historic part of town and contribute to its renaissance. The farmers market is located in the southern end of Vista Park in a charming residential area full of lovingly preserved hundred year old homes.
Old timers reminisce about Saturday night dances held in the south end of the park. They tell of children going to sleep under the stars, (rolled up in blankets on the lawn), to the sound of music played by the band in the elaborate gazebo while their parents danced the night away. Once a town swimming pool was a refreshing option for residents in the adjacent lot. It later became home to Dr. Roberts under whose green thumb flourished gardens of roses and fruit trees. In the old days there was unlimited water as Phelps Dodge, the mining company that many worked for, provided free water so Warren, and especially Vista Park, was a paradise. The farmers market takes place opposite the Warren Ball Park, the second oldest continually used in the US where many in baseball’s hall of fame played.
Farmers markets have history in Bisbee. A farmers market located in the Lowell district, near the Bisbee Food Co-op’s parking lot, was the location of a Saturday morning farmers market in the early 1900’s where farmers from Elfrida, Double Adobe and Palominas brought melons, beans, peaches, pecans and other produce to town and bootleg whisky was sold. The market ended in the mid 50’s with the development of the Lavender open pit mine.
Our Mission
The mission of the Bisbee Farmers Market is to promote local agriculture, entrepreneurship and a healthy life-style and to build community and quality of life in Bisbee and Cochise County.
The farmers market provides the opportunity for farmers and ranchers to sell their products directly to consumers while providing consumers the opportunity to buy locally raised food directly from its producers. By offering a retail outlet for naturally raised foods, the market has increased local agricultural food production. This leads to greater community food security through the retention of agricultural lands in production and the experts who know how to raise food.
The farmers market promotes the increased consumption of organically raised fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy grass-fed meats and eggs from chickens raised on pasture. The market takes part in the Arizona Farmers Market Nutrition Program wherein low-income women, infants, children and seniors receive vouchers to buy fruits and vegetables from growers at the market. It also promotes "slow food" or home cooking and offers frequent cooking demonstrations.
The farmers market acts as a spawning ground for new small businesses and a chance for local artists, artisans and musicians to showcase their talent and sell their work. Local businesses provide employment and keep profits in the community.
Our Staff
Market Manager:
Laura Smith, (520) 227-5060 or e-mail her at laura.haba AT gmail.com
Set-Up Person:
Matthew Smith
Publicist:
Yolanda Breakfield, (520) 249-5250 or e-mail her at
yolanda.breakfield AT yahoo.com
Our Organization
The Bisbee farmers Market is governed by an advisory committee that meets monthly prior to and during the market season. The market has an information booth staffed by volunteers during the market. For more information on becoming a volunteer please contact Suzi Pretty.
New vendors should contact market manager prior to coming to the market. The Vendor Information page includes health department and grower programs and a printable vendor application form with fee schedule and rules.
Secretary: Elaine Blake, eblake AT sonic.net
Treasurer, Volunteer Co-ordinator:
Suzi Pretty, (520) 432-2101, stiltons AT cableone.net
Special Events/Publicity:
Valerie McCaffrey, (520) 378-2973, vallimac AT cox.net;
Read about the market every week in the “This Week at the Farmers Market” column (during market season) in Bisbee Review/Sierra Vista Herald’s Wednesday Taste section.
Web Hosting: www.2012webhosting.com, a Bisbee, AZ company
Website Creation & Maintenance:
Gil Nelson, (520) 432-5314, gil AT homerknows.com
