The Verde Valley Farmers Market opened for the 2026 season on May 9.
Started in 1993 by Denise Gould and Diane Scantlebury, the market aims to provide the region with a source for locally grown food while supporting growers in the area. Originally held in the parking lot of the Wingfield Plaza with only a handful of vendors, the market is now at the town ramada and hosts roughly 25 vendors each market.
All the vendors reside within the Verde Valley. Most have signed up to be at each market for the entire season, while others are scattered throughout. The market’s Facebook page will announce which vendors will be attending each week.
“We like to keep the ‘farmer’ in ‘farmers market,'” market manager Elizabeth Malone said. “By that, I mean we follow a traditional, nonprofit model with a focus on making local and fresh food and agricultural products accessible. As a result, customers can expect limited hot-prepared-food and artisan vendors.”
Malone said many of the vendors are multi-faceted.
“A vendor may primarily sell produce, but also happen to be passionate about bird houses, skin care or baking, and will have those products to share with customers as well,” she said.
The long-standing plant sale fundraiser and raffle was held on the market’s opening day to support the market’s ongoing operations. Each year, the market receives donations of a variety of starter plants that customers can purchase for their own backyard or kitchen garden. A rolling compost bin was raffled off as part of this year’s fundraiser.
“The mission of Verde Valley Farmers Market is to establish a resilient and secure food network in the Verde Valley, for growers and consumers alike, by increasing local food equity,” Malone said.
The market implements the Arizona Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, which enables qualified seniors and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children participants to get coupons to be spent at the market during the season. About eight vendors are participating in the program this year, and Malone hopes more will join the program as Certified Growers.
The program has lost funding compared to years past and can provide $50 per individual. In previous years, applicants could sign up at the markets to join the program, but this now must be done online.
The market also works with the Arizona Cottage Food Program, which enables small businesses to make items like baked goods, jams and jellies without having to lease out a commercial kitchen or obtain special licensing. The program recently expanded and vendors now have the option to offer refrigerated products which was not allowed in previous years. First-time and seasoned vendors will have new refrigerated products to offer, like cheesecake, yogurt and frozen chili.
The market continues to advocate for reusable bags instead of plastic. Malone hopes to raise funds to get insulated, branded bags to sell to customers and is looking for local artists and printing professionals to help with that effort.
Events for this year’s market season are not yet solidified, but Malone states that they hope to have a kids day in June and the traditional Share the Harvest event in September.
Malone reiterated that both locals and visitors should visit the market this year to buy local and eat fresh. Vendors from the first week included Willowbrook Farm, Verde Valley Pecans, Cowboy Honey, Bark & Bakery, Bailey’s Breads and Chocolate Habanero Bakery. Organizations and programs like Home 4 New Beginnings, Verde Valley Compost, Master Gardeners and Green Bag were present as well.
The Verde Valley Farmers Market is held from 8 to 11 a.m. each Saturday until Oct. 3 at the town ramada located at 75 E. Hollamon St. and Main Street.
For more information, visit facebook.com/verdevalleyfarmersmarket.
