Market on the Move ~ 60 pounds of Produce for $10 Donation
Update: Check out Market on the Move's current dates, times, and locations. "Like" them on Facebook to see the upcoming selection, usually on Fridays.
Find other deals like this around Arizona, by following Bargain Believer on Facebook or checking out the website.
Ethel Luzario, co-founder of The 3000 Club that runs Market on the Move, invited me to lunch a couple weeks ago. It was a treat to talk with her and understand some of the background, process, and needs the ministry has.
The basic summary is that they rescue produce that produce brokers in Nogales, AZ would have thrown away because of imperfection (not the right color or size) or need for warehouse space. Last year, they rescued over 30 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables.
As the winter season starts, Market on the Move expects that more varieties will come in, although it is not certain what kind of varieties will be available until it's been picked up. Tomatoes will probably always be in abundance since they get them from Wilcox as well as Nogales. My kids loved the little cartons of tomatoes that sell for $3.99 each in the grocery stores. My $10 could get us 2 1/2 of those or 60 pounds of produce to share with others!!
Even when I got mostly tomatoes (many varieties!) and English cucumbers a couple weeks ago, I was pleased. Did you know you can freeze tomatoes whole or crush them up first and use them in stew, spaghetti and other recipes? I'm set for awhile, even after giving PLENTY away! Mmm . . and I love homemade salsa. I also tried to make pickles. I'm not sure how successful I was, but I now have the proper picking "stuff" and am ready for next time. (Can you tell I'm not a regular canning person — "stuff"!?!? I don't even remember what it's called, but I do remember paying around $5 for a bigger container than I wanted at Walmart. I hope we like them! :)
Okay, back on subject . . . you can get 60 pounds of produce for only a $10 donation. They don't turn anybody away who can't pay, but count on most people paying to support their efforts. Most of their events are on Saturdays, but there are some Sundays as well.
This weekend, they'll be in Phoenix, Peoria, Anthem, and Tucson. They will be in the East Valley and other locations that following week.r
Note: I went to two locations a couple weeks ago. The downtown one was VERY busy and there was about an hour wait. The other location said they had a line, but not much of a wait. (Larkspur location) I haven't been to the other ones, but am guessing the downtown locations are all more busy.
Find other deals like this around Arizona, by following Bargain Believer on Facebook or checking out the website.
I went to the one in Gilbert, at the Boys and Girls Club on Elliot and Gilbert road and there was no line at all. They had lots of nice veggies and they were very friendly. We went about 9:30, and there were a couple people besides us. The girl at the front gave us a quick intro on how it all worked. I was impressed and shared all of my food with neighbors and family members. I got lots of zucchini and made zucchini bread. :)