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Spring is in full swing here in Arizona and that means citrus trees are full of fruit, farmer’s markets have well stocked stalls, and major league baseball is here to play.  Spring training for 15 Major League Baseball teams started throughout the state and people from around the state and around the country are here to watch their favorite teams prepare for the regular season.   Make sure you don’t miss a minute of spring training action by packing a picnic basket full of fresh Arizona-grown food available from the local farmer’s market or grocery store.

Here are some great ways to fill your picnic basket with in-season options and fresh Arizona flavors.

• Chicken Lettuce Wraps – A healthy option full of flavor featuring in season Arizona grown lettuce and scallions and locally raised chicken.
• Asian Lettuce Wraps – Another great option using lettuce and scallions, only filled with fabulous Arizona-raised beef.
• Goat Cheese Lettuce Wraps – A tasty spin on the lettuce wrap featuring locally produced goat cheese, in season lettuce, asparagus, and scallions.
• Tostados – Although not a traditional picnic type food, with the right local ingredients, a batch of make-your-own tostados can bring the flavors of the Southwest to your game day picnic.
• Golden Beet, Fennel, and Avocado Salad – Another flavorful option that is not a traditional picnic salad, but combines great in season local Arizona ingredients like beets and broccoli to create a healthy addition to your game day meal.
• Fruit and Fruit Salad – Here in Arizona, fruit like oranges, grapefruit, lemons, tangerines, clementines, and strawberries are already in season.   Fill your picnic basket with some fantastic fruit for a quick, easy, healthy snack.
• Fresh Lemonade – Grab a bag of locally grown lemons and make fresh squeezed lemonade for your family to enjoy all day long.

No matter which team you are rooting for, you can find local ingredients for your favorite foods near the ballpark where your team is playing.  Here is a breakdown of which teams are playing where and how to find a farmer’s market nearby.

Phoenix

If you will be watching the Milwaukee Brewers play at Maryvale Baseball Park, checking out the Los Angeles Dodgers or Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch or cheering for the Oakland A’s at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, spend some time on Saturday gathering up great ingredients for your game day menus at any of these Phoenix farmer’s markets.

• Central Farmer’s Market located at 7901 North Central Avenue, open from 9 to 2
• Maya’s Farm at South Mountain, 6106 S. 32^nd Street, open from 9 to 1
• Roadrunner Park Farmer’s Market at 3502 E. Cactus Rd., open from 8 to 1.
• The Camelback Market at 3930 E. Camelback Rd., open from 9 to 1.

If your itinerary doesn’t include a Saturday stay, you can visit the Town and Country Farmer’s Market at 2021 E. Camelback Road, which is open Wednesdays from 10 to 2 or the Phoenix Public Market at 14 E. Pierce, open daily.

Peoria

Whether you are here to see the Seattle Mariners or the San Diego Padres, you have access to some great local farmers markets full of fresh local food.

• North Peoria Farmers Market at 11150 W. Beardsley Road, open 9 to 2.
• Vistancia Country Club Farmer’s Market at 12902 W. Yellow Bird Lane, open from 10 to 2 on the 4^th Saturday of each month.

Scottsdale

If you are packing up to watch the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium or the Colorado Rockies or our very own Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, you have some great farmers markets to choose from.

• Scottsdale Old Town Farmer’s Market, at the corner of Brown and 1^st Street, open 8:30 to 1.
• North Scottsdale Farmer’s Market, 9375 E. Shea Blvd., open Saturday from 9 to 12.
• Cavallieres Family Farmer’s Market, 27500 N. Alma School Parkway, open Sundays from 10 to 3.
• Borgata of Scottsdale, 6166 N. Scottsdale Road, open Fridays from 1 to 7.

Goodyear

For fans of the Cleveland Indians or the Cincinnati Reds who will be watching their teams at Goodyear Ballpark, you may have to travel a bit to find the closest farmer’s market, but fresh Arizona-grown food is worth the drive.

• Twilight Farmer’s Market at the Citadelle is held at 19420 N. 59^th Avenue in Glendale, open Wednesday from 4 to 7.
• North Peoria Farmers Market at 11150 W. Beardsley Road, open 9 to 2.
• Vistancia Country Club Farmer’s Market at 12902 W. Yellow Bird Lane, open from 10 to 2 on the 4^th Saturday of each month.

Mesa

If you are planning to visit HoHoKam Stadium to watch the Chicago Cubs, check out these great local farmer’s markets for great options to fill your picnic basket.

• Superstition Farm Market, 3440 S. Hawes Road, Open Thursday from 4:30 to 7:30.
• Orange Patch, 2600 E. Lehi Road, open Monday thru Saturday from 9 to 5.
• Mesa Community Farmer’s Market, 260 N. Center St., open Friday from 9 to 12.

Surprise

Fans of the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals planning to watch their team at Surprise Stadium can visit these nearby towns to find a fantastic farmer’s market.

• Twilight Farmer’s Market at the Citadelle is held at 19420 N. 59^th Avenue in Glendale, open Wednesday from 4 to 7.
• North Peoria Farmers Market at 11150 W. Beardsley Road, open 9 to 2.
• Vistancia Country Club Farmer’s Market at 12902 W. Yellow Bird Lane, open from 10 to 2 on the 4^th Saturday of each month.

Tempe

If you are getting ready to watch the Los Angeles Angels play at Tempe’s Diablo Stadium, you can visit this local market for some great grab and go treats.

• Tempe Farmer’s Market, 505 S. Farmer Ave, open daily from 8 AM to 11 PM.

Related articles

• Let’s Talk Tomatoes (fillyourplate.org)
• Farmer’s Markets in Phoenix, Area, Open in Winter (fillyourplate.org)
• 5 Simple New Year Resolutions for a Healthier Diet (fillyourplate.org)