Writer Grace Hill
Photographer Brenna Zumbro

[dropcap]L[/dropcap]iving in the city doesn’t mean local farm fare is beyond your reach, or that you have to travel outside the city to get it. In fact, with multiple farmers markets around the Valley, it is easier than ever to get the fresh and seasonal produce you desire. And with fall here, now is the perfect time to head outside for a back-to-basics shopping experience.

What makes a trip to the farmers market a rather unique experience is the opportunity to have a one-on-one conversation with those who lovingly grew the food — not an opportunity you often get at the grocery store. You truly know where and how your food was grown.

Beyond the beautiful displays of vegetables and fruit, you can expect to find an assortment of other local goods. While what you find varies from one market to the next (making each trip to the market one full of surprises and delights), you can expect to come across delicious products like jams, jellies, sauces and salsas. Your nose might also lead you to the heavenly smelling homemade breads, while your eyes set their sights on tasty sweets. Or you can leave with some herbs and flowers for the kitchen. So much goodness abounds!

Going to the market gets you out into the crisp fall weather, walking among your community, supporting your local farms and finding out that fresh does taste a whole lot better. So grab a basket or bag and head on out.

Listed below are the farmers markets located in the north/northeast part of the Valley:

Anthem Farmers Market
arizonafarmersmarkets.com
Oct. 30 through May 28
Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
41703 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy., Anthem

Carefree Farmers Market
carefree.org
Oct. 7 through May 26
Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Under the Carefree Sundial in the Desert Gardens, 101 Easy St., Carefree

Cave Creek Farmers Market
azfarmersmarkets.us
October through April
Second Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Parking lot of Good Shepherd of the Hills Church, 6502 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek

The Camelback Market
vincentsoncamelback.com
Late October to early May
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Parking lot of Vincent on Camelback, 3930 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix

Desert Ridge Farmers Market Cashman Park
azfarmersmarkets.us
October through March
Third Sundays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
22066 N. 44th St., Phoenix

Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market
arizonafarmersmarkets.com
Oct. 15 through May 27
Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
3806 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale

Roadrunner Park Farmers Market
arizonafarmersmarkets.com
October through May
Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
3502 E. Cactus Rd., Phoenix

Troon North Farmers Market
(hosted by 360 Wealth Management)
troonnorthfarmersmarket.com
First and third Saturdays,
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
New location: 10037 E. Dynamite Rd. (between Pima Road and North Alma School Parkway in the Chase Bank parking lot)
10 percent of proceeds are donated to Victory Place, a local veteran’s organization.