Presenting Good Food Finder's Newest Campaign: Eat Local, Gila Valley!
Graham and Greenlee counties will be savoring the flavors of local food from now through the end of the year. A new campaign, “Eat Local Gila Valley”, begins this month and is going to help locals connect to their neighborhood growers and food producers, learn how to more meaningfully support them, and understand their importance in improving community health. “Eat Local Gila Valley” aims to encourage continued patronage of local producers, markets and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic through contactless pickup and takeout — and for years to come.
The Gila Valley is full of farmers, ranchers, and food artisans that bring their own unique flavors and foods to their community. Food brings people together and all of the “Eat Local Gila Valley” partners are excited to be a part of this movement to help Arizonans discover and support Gila Valley grown talent, products, and to build a stronger Arizona. You can find our partners at goodfoodfinderaz.com/gilavalley. You can also find available “Eat Local” merchandise such as tote bags, water bottles and more.
We invite you to share your “Eat Local” experience with us! When posting on social media, be sure to tag @goodfoodaz on Instagram or @GoodFoodFinder on Facebook. You can also use #EatLocalGilaValley, #GilaValley, #GoodFoodAZ, and/or #LocalFirstAZ in your posts.
Your One-Stop-Shop: Gila Valley Farmers Market
The Gila Valley Farmers Market has been in operation since October 2019 when the Gila Valley Food System Coalition recognized the need for a way to access fresh produce and connect their farmers to consumers. The market has been steadily growing ever since and continues to add new products regularly. From Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm you can shop with the passionate Graham County Chamber of Commerce team. Before walking into the Farmers Market itself, please tell their four-legged greeter/office dog, Maisy, we said hi!
Meat: Carters Custom Cuts
Carter’s Custom Cuts is a full custom retail butcher. Started in 2018 by the Carter family, they offer cuts of high quality meat from local farms, delivering what they call “pasture to plate freshness.” Not only do they offer classic cuts like tomahawks, NY Strip, ground beef, and bacon but they also offer unique options like their popular pre-marinated carne asada and unique mix for hamburger patties. They can meet any meat need! For those who aren’t familiar with cutting meat, they also offer processing for domestic animals and wild game. You can usually find them supporting local programs like 4H and FFA events or online at their website or Facebook page.
Fresh Fruit: Angle Orchard
Open August through October, Angle Orchard is a You Pick apple and peach orchard. There is a feeling about this place that captures the magic of Fall. Angle Orchard was founded by Andrew Preston and Viola Cooper Angle in 1921 and the orchard has remained in the Angle family ever since. They are active on their Facebook page and you can find their hours for the week as well as what produce is ready to pick. Whether you are making a pie or canning, they offer seven varieties of apples and and O’Henry peaches so you can find whatever you need.
Produce & Dairy: Out of the Way Farms
Out of the Way Farm is home to Nubian goats, ducks, and chickens as well as a garden that produces a little bit of everything. This happy and community-focused farm is owned and operated by Collette Ivins and her amazing family of four. They are constantly finding new ways to eat, cook with and use their own produce as well as their neighbors. To them, helping neighbors and supporting other families is one of the most important reasons to eat local. Get your fix of cute goat, dog, and mini farmer pics and keep up with life on the farm by checking out their Facebook page. You can purchase their produce at the Gila Valley Farmers Market.