Joyce-Zoe Farley

The Republic | azcentral.com

Staycation season has arrived, complete with the smells of BBQ and tastes of the summer's best fruit. And Arizona residents are increasingly finding their favorite foods at local farmers markets.

Agriculture in Arizona has become a $17 billion industry, according to a University of Arizona study. Farmers markets make up less than 1 percent of that, but the number is growing.

There are about 2,500 farms in Maricopa County, averaging roughly 200 acres. This is an increase of 700 farms from 2007. Arizona farmers grow 250 crops in Arizona.

"East and west of the city (Phoenix) have really great agricultural land and soil," said Arizona Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Laura Oxley.

There are now 50 to 60 farmers markets in the state. Arizona Community Farmers Markets runs about a dozen of them, according to senior coordinator Dee Logan.

“We are a venue where they (farmers) can come directly from their farms to sell their produce — directly to the public — directly to their customers," Logan said. "What they get is customer’s desire for crops and be able to tell their farm story."

Early and mid-morning risers venture out to Roadrunner Park in northeastern Phoenix to buy local produce, meat and fresh bread, as well as empanadas, tamales and other regional and cultural favorites. Fifth-generation farmer Guy Gillespie shared with customers his expertise, and his produce.

“You want go pesticide free, organic produce — you know, you can tell, if it has bug damage on it or bugs on it, its not been sprayed," Gillespie said. "And we don’t spray anything — fungicide — insecticide — we don’t use any of that, so of course we have insects on ours."

Logan's group this spring started a weekly farmers market at the state Capitol.

"That was promoted and developed as a responsive request from the Department of Ag to help support the knowledge, the awareness of Arizona crops," Logan said. "We will continue it this season. It’s been very successful for us as small, direct producers."

Kathy Porter, manager of the Roadrunner Park Farmer’s Market, said there are plans to expand their market this fall with a location in downtown Tempe.

For more information about local farmers markets, Julie Murphree with the Arizona Farm Bureau said FillYourPlate.org offers a list of markets as well as information on seasonal produce and recipes.

Farmers markets that stay open during Arizona's hot summer