Nogales "Little" Mercado Farmer's Market
Nogales "Little" Mercado Farmer's Market
The Nogales Mercado Farmers Market is held every Friday from 3-6pm (October-April) and 4-7pm (May-September) Saturdays from 10am-1pm. The weekly Nogales Mercado goes beyond food to support the local economy by hosting artisans, craftsmen and other producers of local products. Most importantly, everyone, including WIC, FMNP and SNAP beneficiaries, are able to buy locally-grown fruits and vegetables. The Nogales Mercado is a collaboration of community partners to connect local food producers with Nogales shoppers. The goal is to provide a downtown location for residents to purchase locally-grown, healthy foods as well as create a socially- vibrant, healthy environment where all can learn, share and enjoy the community. Key partners are Nogales Community Development and Mariposa Community Health Center.
Recently the Nogales Farmer's Market had a change in its facilities, no new structures were added, but one was significantly beautified. The mercado provides a storage container to be used for the vendors to store their usually supplies, taking away the burden of carrying them to and from the farmer's market location every week. The storage container ( a big building-like structure) was given some "Nogi" charm from a few local artists who made it their mission to have the container reflect the heart and soul of the Mercado.
With the image of an old pueblo truck filled to the brim of Nogales fresh produce on one side, and a commuter bicycle on the other. The now beautifully painted storage container serves a dual purpose. A beautiful peice for all those who passby and a safe place for vendors to store their belongings.
It goes without saying that all of us who follow the "little" Mercado are very excited to see the first mural in Downtown Nogales. This project is a first of many to come it is lead by VozFrontera. The Nogales "Little" Mercado was the kickoff of the "Nogales Mural Projex". Four local artist have done this amazing piece of art that is a now a symbol of a growing downtown community. Photographed are Cesar Lopez, Priscilla Rodriguez "Nefftys", Gerardo Frias "Hide", Antonio Lucero "Plak".