Playing with Food
with Your Culinary Companion, Chef Amee
Did you know that
within the Phoenix area
there are over 20
Farmer's Markets to
buy fresh produce
throughout the year?

My friend, Elizabeth, is
the demonstrating
Market Chef for the
market in Downtown
Phoenix.  She makes
fantastic culinary
creations with the
produce offered at the
market and offers
samples to shoppers.  
Stop by and say Hi!

Click here to locate
markets in your area:

http://www.foodconnect
.org/farmers_markets/i
ndex.asp
If you and your family are interested in taking a weekend trip to cultivate your gardening an
cooking interests, check out Apple Annie's Orchard in Wilcox, Arizona.  It is about a 3 hour
trip from Phoenix, but there is so much to do there if you plan it right.  Throughout the year,
they host many festivals including a Peach Mania Festival in July and August, The Apple
Harvest Celebration over Labor Day Weekend in September, and The Fall Pumpkin
Celebration in September and October.  They even have a Grandparents Weekend and
Antique Tractor Show in September as well.  They have a fantastic website so click on the
picture above and it will take you directly to their site.  Don't forget to check out their
Harvest Calendar to plan a trip to pick your favorite fruits or vegetables.

Apple Annie's Orchards, 2081 W. Hardy Rd., Wilcox, Arizona, 85643
I had the privilege of finding out about Farmer
Greg through a mutual friend. He has a
passion, similar to mine, and that is teaching
people how to grow stuff!  He is even
growing stuff in his own 1/3 of an acre lot in
the heart of Phoenix.  The pictures to the side
were taken when I visited his farm during one
of his tours this summer.  

He is growing many things at his farm, but
my favorites were the grapevines, apple and
peach trees, various herbs, lots of different
flowers, and baby tomatoes.  He even has a
chicken coup in his backyard that is located
not too far from his own outdoor shower.  
What kid wouldn't love to have a shower
outside, which by the way is located next to
his outdoor kitchen sink and stove.

He has workshops and classes all throughout
the year and offers tours to see his own farm.  
In the fall he will be holding several classes on
how to buy and grow trees in Arizona.  (I will
be there!)  

You can take a look at his website at:  
www.urbarnfarms.org
to learn more about Farmer Greg.
Last May, I took the
opportunity to take my little
niece, Katie, to Schnepf's
Farms.  She (and I) got to be
Farmers for a Day.  This was a
fantastic program designed to
teach children how food grows
and to help them understand the
rewards of growing your own
fruits and vegetables.  I must say
I had sooo much fun!  

We planted squash and picked
beets, lettuce, carrots, and
onions- just to name a few.  
Farmer Mark, owner of the farm,
gave us his devoted attention and
let us "be him" for a few hours.  
He even taught us how to irrigate
the gardens and introduced us to
all his farm animal friends.  Katie
loves to share the story on how
she got to hold the baby chick.

Throughout the year, they have
many activities going on, such as
a Pumpkin and Chili Party in
October, The Farmer for a Day
progam in May and November,
and they are having the Grand
Opening of their new restaurant,
"Fresh From the Farm" in
September. Call them to find out
when you can come by and pick
your own produce.  

Schnepf's Farms
24810 S. Rittenhouse Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ  85242
480-987-3100
To find out when you
can visit them and buy or
pick your own fruits and
vegetables, click on their
logo to the side and it will
take you there.