activities · 12
what they do
direct service · 11
- Community Events and Entertainment Community Farmers Market OperationsHosts various community events at its markets, including quarterly chef demonstrations, seasonal food festivals, bicycle-friendly events, and local live music, particularly at the Rillito Park market.
- Deliver food literacy and community education programs Nutrition and Food Preservation EducationOffers recurring educational programming at farmers markets including "Taste of the Market" and "Heirloom Kids," held monthly at Rillito Park, along with Farmers Market Tours on the third Sunday of each month. Provides cooking, meal planning, and market navigation education tailored to SNAP, WIC, and senior program participants, supported by Market Information Booths that connect shoppers to food assistance resources.
- Facilitate access to nutrition assistance programs at markets Farmers Market Food Access ProgramsAccepts SNAP/EBT, WIC, and FMNP benefits at all market locations and participates in the Double Up Food Bucks AZ program, which matches SNAP dollars for purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables. Removed daily limits on incentives in response to community need and supports direct distribution of $50 seasonal food vouchers to WIC families and eligible seniors, accepted across all Heirloom markets.
- Food Assistance Programs at Markets Farmers Market Food Access ProgramsFacilitates access to fresh, healthy food by accepting SNAP/EBT, WIC, and FMNP benefits at all market locations and operating the Double Up Food Bucks program, which matches SNAP/EBT purchases for fruits and vegetables.
- Food and Agricultural Education Nutrition and Food Preservation EducationProvides food literacy and educational programming at farmers markets, including "Taste of the Market" demonstrations, "Heirloom Kids" activities, and guided farmers market tours, focusing on seasonal produce, meal planning, and cooking for various community groups.
- Food and Agricultural Education Nutrition and Food Preservation EducationProvides food literacy and educational programming at farmers markets, including "Taste of the Market" demonstrations, "Heirloom Kids" activities, and guided farmers market tours, focusing on seasonal produce, meal planning, and cooking for various community members.
- Manage market operations and vendor support systems Community Farmers Market OperationsOperates a market currency system using $5 wooden tokens sold on-site and online, valid at all Heirloom Farmers Markets with no expiration. Maintains infrastructure including a 5,000 sq ft shaded shopping area with pavilions and entertainment space, and supports over 300 vendors through a formal vendor directory and event programming such as chef demonstrations, seasonal festivals, live music, and bicycle-friendly events.
- Market Infrastructure and Vendor Support Community Farmers Market OperationsMaintains market infrastructure, such as a 5,000 square foot shaded shopping area at Rillito Park, and supports vendors by providing a directory and a market currency system where $5 wooden tokens can be spent at any Heirloom Farmers Market.
- Operate year-round farmers markets across Southern Arizona Community Farmers Market OperationsManages and operates multiple year-round farmers markets at fixed locations including Rillito Park (Sundays), Udall Park (Fridays), Oro Valley (Saturdays), Rincon Valley (Saturdays), and Green Valley (Wednesdays), hosting over 300 local vendors selling fresh produce, meats, eggs, and artisan goods. These markets operate seasonally or weekly with established long-term presence, including the longest-running market on the I-19 corridor south of Tucson.
- Operating Farmers Markets Community Farmers Market OperationsOperates multiple year-round farmers markets across Southern Arizona, including locations in Tucson (Rillito Park, Udall Park, Rincon Valley), Oro Valley, and Green Valley, hosting a diverse network of local food vendors, farmers, and producers (over 300 vendors).
- Operating Farmers Markets Community Farmers Market OperationsOperates multiple year-round farmers markets across Southern Arizona, including locations in Tucson (Rillito Park, Udall Park, Rincon Valley), Oro Valley, and Green Valley, hosting a diverse network of over 300 local food vendors, farmers, ranchers, and artisan food purveyors.
capacity building · 1
- Market Infrastructure and Vendor Support Community Farmers Market OperationsMaintains market facilities, such as the 5,000 square foot shaded shopping area at Rillito Park, and supports vendors through a directory and a market currency system where $5 wooden tokens can be spent at any Heirloom Farmers Market.
strategies · 15
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Advance food literacy and healthy eating through education and engagement food_literacy_and_educationUses weekly food literacy programming, taste tests, and educational initiatives to foster positive relationships with healthy foods across socio-economic groups, empowering individuals to make nutritious choices and supporting demand for local agriculture.
- Build economic resilience through integrated local food economies integrated_food_access_and_economic_supportCombines food access initiatives with support for local businesses by using market tokens and certification programs to drive consumer spending toward local vendors, creating a ripple effect of economic and health benefits.
- Empower communities through food literacy and education food literacy and educationUses weekly food literacy programming, taste tests, and educational outreach to foster healthy eating habits, increase familiarity with local produce, and create positive food experiences across socio-economic groups, thereby supporting both consumer health and local producers.
- Enhance transparency and trust in local sourcing certification_programUses the “Get Real Certification” program with red flags at vendor booths to verify and highlight authentic local farmers and producers, increasing consumer confidence and supporting genuine local economic activity.
- Enhance vendor and consumer experience through market structure and transparency vendor_categorizationOrganizes vendors by category and uses a "Get Real Certification" program with red flags to verify and highlight local producers, improving customer navigation and trust while increasing visibility for authentic local goods.
- Expand equitable food access through financial incentives and inclusive policies market-based food accessIncreases access to fresh, local food for low-income individuals by accepting and matching SNAP/EBT benefits through programs like Double Up Food Bucks, locating markets in transit-accessible areas, and ensuring affordability regardless of income.
- Expand equitable food access using SNAP/EBT and matching incentives double_up_food_bucks_incentiveIncreases access to fresh, local food for low-income individuals by accepting SNAP/EBT and operating a dollar-for-dollar matching program (Double Up Food Bucks), effectively doubling purchasing power for Arizona-grown produce and ensuring inclusivity across socio-economic backgrounds.
- Expand food access through SNAP/EBT and matching incentive programs double_up_food_bucks_incentiveIncreases equitable access to fresh, local food by accepting SNAP/EBT and operating a dollar-for-dollar matching program with no limit on benefits, enabling low-income individuals to afford more nutritious food while simultaneously supporting local producers.
- Promote cultural and agricultural heritage through community-centered market design traditional_mercado_modelModels markets on traditional mercados and operates at historic ranch sites to preserve agricultural heritage, strengthen community identity, and create inclusive, culturally resonant spaces for local commerce and engagement.
- Promote food literacy and healthy choices through education and engagement food_literacy_and_educationUses weekly food literacy programming, taste tests, and educational outreach to create positive experiences with healthy foods, empower consumers to make nutritious choices, and increase demand for local agricultural products.
- Strengthen community engagement through culturally resonant market models traditional_mercado_modelModels markets on traditional mercados and operates at historic ranch sites to preserve agricultural heritage, foster community identity, and create inclusive, communal marketplace experiences that connect producers and consumers.
- Strengthen community engagement through culturally resonant market models traditional_mercado_modelModels markets on traditional mercados and hosts them at historic ranch sites to preserve agricultural heritage, foster community identity, and create inclusive, vibrant gathering spaces that connect producers and consumers.
- Support local food systems through direct farmer-to-consumer market access local_food_system_supportProvides a direct-to-consumer market platform for small-scale farmers, ranchers, bakers, and food producers, strengthening the regional food system by connecting local producers with the public and supporting local economic resilience.
- Support local food systems through direct market access for small producers local_food_system_supportProvides a direct-to-consumer market platform for small-scale farmers, ranchers, bakers, and food producers, strengthening the regional food system by connecting local suppliers with the public and increasing visibility of local goods.
- Support local food systems through direct market access for small producers local_food_system_supportProvides a direct-to-consumer market platform for small-scale farmers, ranchers, bakers, and food producers, strengthening the regional food system by connecting local vendors with the public and supporting local economic resilience.
named programs · 9
what they call their work
Double Up Food Bucks Arizona
Matches SNAP/EBT dollars spent at participating farmers markets for Arizona-grown fruits and vegetables, with no daily limit.
Heirloom Kids
Offers fun and educational activities for children every 2nd Sunday of the month at the Taste of the Market booth.
Market Ambassador
Provides assistance to shoppers at the Rillito Park Farmers Market, offering guidance on market navigation and product selection.
Market Tours
Offers 30-minute guided tours of the Rillito Park Farmers Market every 3rd Sunday of the month to educate visitors about seasonal produce, meal planning, and shopping.
Nourish Your Neighbors (NYN)
A community-supported food access program designed to ensure everyone can access food at farmers markets, currently on hold.
SNAP Enrollment Information
Provides resources and information at market booths to help Arizonans understand and apply for SNAP benefits.
SNAP/EBT Acceptance
Accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at all Heirloom Farmers Markets for eligible food products.
Taste of the Market (TotM)
Provides weekly food literacy and education at a dedicated booth at the Rillito Park Farmers Market.
WIC & FMNP Seniors
Distributes coupons ($50 per family/senior per season) for WIC families and income-eligible seniors to purchase fruits and vegetables at Heirloom Farmers Markets, via an online application process.
relationships · 17
who they work with
- Arizona Complete Health Funder — Sponsors the "Taste of the Market" program.
- Arizona Complete Health Funder — Sponsors the Market Ambassador, Market Tours, Taste of the Market, and Heirloom Kids programs.
- Arizona Complete Health Partner — Sponsors the Taste of the Market and Heirloom Kids food literacy programs at the Rillito Park market.
- Bureau of Land Management Government — Transferred land to the City of Tucson, which enabled the farmers market to return to Udall Park.
- City of Tucson’s Parks and Recreation Partner — Partnership for operating a Friday morning market.
- Double Up Food Bucks Partner — Participates in the Double Up Food Bucks program to increase access to fresh produce for SNAP recipients.
- Double Up Food Bucks Arizona Partner — Partner of the Double Up Food Bucks Arizona program since May 2018.
- Fair Food Network Partner — The Double Up Food Bucks Arizona program is part of their national Double Up program.
- Native Seeds/SEARCH Partner — Partner artisan vendor offering food products, kitchen craft, and plants at Rillito Park market
- Paul Cunningham Partner — Councilperson who supported the return of the farmers market to Udall Park.
- Pima County Partner — Collaborated with Heirloom Farmers Markets to build the permanent market space at Rillito Park.
- Pinnacle Prevention Partner — Arizona-based nonprofit that brought the Double Up Food Bucks program to the state.
- Rillito Park Foundation Partner — Collaborated with Heirloom Farmers Markets to build the permanent market space at Rillito Park.
- Rincon Institute Partner — Manages and operates the Rincon Valley Farmers & Artisans Market on behalf of the Rincon Institute.
- Steam Pump Ranch Partner — Hosts the Oro Valley Farmers Market on its grounds, integrating the market with historic preservation efforts.
- Trail Dust Town Partner — Previously hosted the Friday morning market.
- USDA Funder — Funds a project in partnership with the organization.