Inside the Superior Farm to Fantastic Market. Photo by Mila Besich
The Superior Farm to Fantastic Market has been operating in Downtown Superior since 2018.The market operates every Saturday from September through May and during the summer they operate indoors at the Superior Chamber of Commerce usually twice a month. The market is held at the Farmers Market Food Court park on Main Street, except during inclement weather where it is held at the Superior Chamber of Commerce office.
The market got its origination through the Copper Communities food hub study which was conducted in 2016 through 2018. The study identified what types of fresh local food were made or grown in the Copper Corridor region and what types of food was locally grown or produced. With the diversity of elevation within the Copper Corridor, the study identified that the region was ideal for growing a variety of local food.
While local food growing has remained limited, the market works with an organization called Sun Produce which works with local organic farmers across the state to procure a variety of local produce. Often locally grown citrus, plant starts and other vegetables are donated to the market for sale.
The original study also identified that local food entrepreneurs needed access to to commercial kitchens. The Superior Senior Center operated by the Town of Superior can be rented as a certified commercial kitchen. Plans are currently underway to begin remodeling and construction in the original home economics lab at the Superior Multi-Gen Center (original Superior High School) to increase capacity to accommodate food entrepreneurs. This work will be completed with funding from Rebuild Superior Inc and the Superior Enterprise Center.
The Copper Corridor region has excelled at attracting many home bakers and other food producers who make their products under the home cottage license. Brick House Bakers, a well known bread maker, has been a long standing maker at the market, with many people traveling to Superior or the Globe Miami Farmers market to purchase their unique and healthy bread. Local eggs and honey are also usually available for sale and the Farm to Fantastic Market will also take pre-orders for produce for those who might not be able to attend the market on Saturday. For those with a sweet tooth, there are many local bakers who sell everything from cinnamon rolls, brownies, cookies and more. A variety of creams and lotions are also sold at the market. The market operates from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. throughout the year on Saturdays.
With support from the Town of Superior vendors are not charged a fee to sell their products and do not need to pay any sales percentage fees. The market is open for vendors across the Copper Corridor and Pinal County.
In addition to local produce, honey, eggs and baked goods, the market also allows local crafts and artisans to sell at the market. Art 145, a local art gallery and venue for art classes, will often sell a variety of ceramics at the market. During the fall months there are also themed markets for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Dates have not been set for the specialty markets but are expected to be announced soon.
With the annual Prickly Pear Festival scheduled for Aug. 23, 2025, market coordinators are accepting additional produce, baked good and artisan booths for the market. It is recommended to those interested to sign up soon as space it often fills quickly.
For more information on how to become a vendor at the Farm to Fantastic Market please call Deb Sears directly at 703-994-9935 or email the CCEDC at azccedc@gmail.com.