About Bisbee Farmers Market
Our History
In 2002, three Bisbee women (Sandra Corn, Valerie McCaffrey and Judy Tauscher) who dreamed of offering local farmers and crafters a place to sell their home-grown and hand-made products brought their dream to reality. As the women 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. For their site they chose the southern end of Vista Park amid a charming residential area full of lovingly preserved hundred year old homes.
At one time Saturday night dances were held in the south end of the park. Children went 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. A town swimming pool was a refreshing option for residents in the adjacent lot, which later became home to Dr. Roberts where roses and fruit trees flourished under his green thumb. In those days there was unlimited water, as Phelps Dodge, the mining company that many worked for, provided free water to make Warren, particularly Vista Park, 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 were not new to Bisbee. In the early 1900s a Saturday morning farmers market in the Lowell district, near the Bisbee Food Co-op’s parking lot, was where farmers from Elfrida, Double Adobe and Palominas sold melons, beans, peaches, pecans and other produce and bootleg whisky. The market ended in the mid-1950s with the development of the Lavender open pit mine.
Our Mission
The mission of 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 Market provides the opportunity for farmers and ranchers to sell their products directly to consumers and provides 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, which leads to greater community food security through the retention of agricultural lands in production and the growers who know how to raise food.
The Market promotes the increased consumption of organically raised fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy grass-fed meats and eggs from free-range chickens. The Market takes part in the Arizona Farmers Market Nutrition Program where low-income women with infants and children receive vouchers to buy fruits and vegetables from local growers. The Market also promotes “slow food” or home cooking and offers frequent cooking demonstrations.
The Market acts as a spawning ground for new small businesses and a chance for local artists, artisans and musicians to showcase their talents and sell their work. Local businesses provide employment and keep profits in the community.
Our Staff
Market Manager:
Laura Smith, 520.236.8409 or email her at admin@bisbeefarmersmarket.org
Administrative Assistant, Secretary and Treasurer:
Suzi Pretty, 520.432.2101 or email her at admin@bisbeefarmersmarket.org
Read weekly about the Market in the Bisbee Review and the Bisbee Observer.
Web Hosting:
www.2012webhosting.com, a Bisbee, AZ company
Website Creation & Maintenance:
Gil Nelson, (520) 227-9757, gil AT homerknows.com
Our Organization
Bisbee Farmers Market is an Arizona Non-Profit Corporation, governed by a Board of Directors. The Market Staff are volunteers who devote many, many hours throughout the year to make the Market a continuing Saturday morning event. We’re always looking for volunteers to staff our Information Booth. If you’re interested in spending a couple hours a month in our booth, handing out information and meeting new people, please call Suzi Pretty at 520.432.2101 or email her at admin@bisbeefarmersmarket.org.
New vendors should contact the Market Manager prior to coming to the market. Please see our Vendor Information page for information regarding grower programs and health department regulations, as well as a printable application form with fee schedules and Market rules.
