Good times, good food at the Payson Farmers Market opening May 28

Bonner Golo of Golo Family Organic Farms talked to Alma Genovese and Carena Deluno about the okra, eggplant, cucumbers and other organic vegetables his mother and father and five siblings, all Liberian refugees, grow on nine acres they lease in Goodyear.  Golo was one of dozens of vendors at the last Payson Farmers' Market of the 2010 season.

Memorial Day weekend is opening day for the 3^rd season of the Payson Farmers Market.

By John Roethlein

Memorial day weekend is opening day for the 3^rd season of the Payson Farmers Market.

Summer’s coming and so are good times and good food every Saturday from 8 AM to Noon, May 28 through October. Our farmers have been busy plowing and watering, planting and praying and soon, we will be the beneficiaries of all their hard work. This year our farmers come from Camp Verde, Concho, Gisela and Payson. Be sure to come first thing in the morning for produce – the cold weather this late into May has slowed our farmers’ crops!  Produce should be in full swing mid-June.  We’ll keep you posted on what’s coming and any specials on our website and FaceBook.

Most of our favorite vendors from last year are returning so we’ll have all the pickles and pastries, dog treats and sauces, oils and goat cheese we want. Our tamale addiction is about to be fed and now we have equally amazing Italian food, both  “Best of Phoenix” award winners. Of course they’ll be jams, jellies and honey for artisan breads, gluten free pasta, hummus, healthy snack granolas and trail mixes, relish, teas and coffees, lotions and potions, chocolate, Gila County beef, and salsa too. Seeing all this together makes me go whoo……That’s a lotta stuff.

Now we must mention the art our locals are making - carving in wood, fusing glass and clay baking . The musicians are lined up every day until fall, so stop by and listen, sing, clap and have a ball. You can sit with your friends, have some coffee or tea, share laughter, burritos and yummy pastry. It sounds good to me.

See you at the Payson Farmers Market, returning to last year’s location at 816 S. Beeline Highway behind Chili's Restaurant 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday from May 28 to October.www.PaysonFarmersMarket.info to learn about weekly specials and available produce. 
Follow us on Facebook or at