There is a great deal of excitement in picking out your own fresh produce at a local market. Much of it is organic, and all of it is healthy. But there’s so much more to it than that. Each market has its own distinctive style, some with live music and entertainment, some with special fairs, some with arts and crafts tables.
Head out to a morning market and you’ll find someone selling fresh coffee, and someone else with muffins and scones. At an evening market, you might get that bag of potatoes and a place to buy dinner to boot. More than anything, when buying produce at a market, a bit of conversation is all it takes to connect you, the consumer, to them, the people who grew the food. Instead of a nameless corporation, the tomato in tonight’s salad is now connected to a face.
Farmers markets can accommodate more than cash or check. The markets also supplement low income residents through the WIC, EBT and senior checks programs.
Senior checks go out to seniors who are enrolled in the state’s Commodity Supplemental food Program (CSFP). Bernalillo county seniors in the program who want vouchers can pick them up beginning July 1st at the ECHO warehouse, located at Suite 226 at 300 Menaul NW, in Albuquerque. Vouchers are available on a first come, first served basis.
The WIC, or Women, Infants and Childrens program, supplements low income women with children to ensure they get fresh, healthy foods.
The EBT/Food Stamps program supplements low income families with fresh foods by providing wireless EBT machines in designated markets.
2012 Schedule:
ABQ Uptown
Where: Northeast parking lot at ABQ Uptown shopping center, one block north of Trader Joe's on Uptown Loop.
When: 7 a.m. – Noon, Saturdays
Market Runs: June 30 - October 27
This market is convenient in location, and also for providing plenty of places to park. They have live music every Saturday morning. For more information, call Nancy Erickson at (505) 865-3533.
The market accepts WIC and senior checks, EBT and debit cards.
ABQ Uptown at Presbyterian Hospital
Where: 1200 block of Central NE, across from Presbyterian Hospital.
When: 7 a.m. – Noon, Tuesdays
Market Runs: June 26 - October 30
The market is located in the empty lot on Central, across from the hospital. For more information, call Nancy Erickson at (505) 865-3533.
The market accepts WIC and senior checks, EBT and debit cards.
Albuquerque Downtown Market
Where: 8th & Central at Robinson Park
When: 7 a.m. – noon, Saturdays; 8 a.m. – Noon September and October
Market Runs: May 19 - November 3
The Downtown market offers food, music, entertainment and a wide variety of vendors. Parking is not a problem, with 500 free parking spaces within two blocks of the market.
Contact Chris Goblet at 243-2230 x107.
The market accepts WIC, EBT, debit and senior checks.
Albuquerque Nob Hill Growers Market
Where: Morningside Park, Lead & Morningside SE
When: Thursdays, 3 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Market Runs: May 17 - November 1
The Nob Hill market has a small, solid core of growers and has a pleasant park setting. For information on the market, contact Catherine Gordon at (505) 934-8960.
The market accepts WIC, EBT, debit and senior checks.
Albuquerque North East Farmers' & Artisans' Market
Where: West side of Albuquerque Academy, 6400 Wyoming Blvd
When: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesdays
Market Runs: May 22 - October 30
Contact Sarah Wentzel-Fisher, (505) 369-6549.
Accepts EBT, Debit, WIC and senior checks.
Albuquerque Armijo Village Growers Market
Where: SW corner of Isleta Blvd. and Arenal Road
When: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to Noon
Market Runs: June 2 - October 27
Contact Linda Martin at (505) 877-7100 with questions.
The market accepts EBT, Debit, WIC and Senior WIC.
Albuquerque Caravan Nouveau Growers and Artisans Market at Wilson Park
Where: Wilson Park, San Pedro Dr SE & Anderson Ave SE
When: 7 a.m. - noon Tuesdays and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sundays
Market Runs: June 17 - November 15
Contact Raven Rutherford, (505) 850-6725.
Accepts EBT, Debit, WIC and senior checks.
Albuquerque South Valley Growers Market
Where: Cristo Del Valle Presbyterian Church at 3907 Isleta SW
When: 8 a.m. – Noon on Saturdays
Market Runs: June 23 - October 27
This fun market always has delicious produce from the south valley growers, along with a summer of musical entertainment.
For more information on the South Valley market, contact Rhonda Reinert at (505) 877-4044.
This market accepts WIC and senior checks
Belen Growers Market
Where: Anna Becker Park, Hwy 309/Reinken Ave
When: 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays (2011)
Market Runs: June 4 – October 29 (2011)
For more information, contact Jenniffer Singleterry at (505) 401-4390, or Claudette Riley at (505) 459-6159.
The Belen market accepts EBT, WIC and senior checks.
Bernalillo Farmers Market
Where: West side of Camino del Pueblo (Hwy. 313), south of Our Lady of Sorrows Church
When: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Fridays
Market Runs: July 6 - October 26
For market information, contact Bonnie Hill at (505) 867-9054.
This market accepts EBT, WIC, debit and senior checks.
Cedar Crest Farmers Market
Where: 12144 North Highway 14
When: Wednesdays, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. (2011 schedule)
Market Runs: Mid June - October (first frost)
Contact Thomas Isole, (505) 803-7579.
Corrales Growers Market
Where: Recreation Center, 500 Jones Road and Corrales Road, south of the post office
When: 9 a.m. – Noon Sundays, May - October; 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. Wednesdays (peak season)
Market Runs: April 29 - November 4, Wednesday market starting July 18
Winter Market: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., first Sunday of the month
Runs: November - April
The Corrales market is one of the busiest around, with many special events.
For more information about the market and its events, contact Mary Jane Rodriguez at (505) 898-7927.
This market accepts WIC and senior checks.
