Imagine a cartful of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, enough for a family of four to abundantly feast on for an entire week or longer for a total cost of only $20.00 to $30.00. This is what you will find at a relatively little known local ranch farmer’s market located in East Mesa, Arizona.
The Superstition Ranch Market, located in East Mesa, Arizona, carries an impressive selection of fresh produce, locally produced foods, grains, nuts, spices, seasonings, cheese, candies, local gifts and various other grocery, specialty and gourmet food items.
Much of the produce is Arizona grown and stocked throughout the day. Most fruits and vegetables (apples, pears, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes) are reliably available year-round. Some fruits and vegetables (berries, melons, plums, apricots, Napa cabbage, sprouts) are available seasonally. The prices are consistently among the lowest in the East Valley. Additionally, the market offers unbelievable weekly specials, such as five red bell peppers, two cantaloupes, or three heads of iceberg lettuce for only $1.00. These specials change but there are remarkable deals every week.
Generally speaking, I have found most of the vegetables and fruits to keep much longer than equivalent produce purchased at regular markets. This is important to me because it attests to its freshness, I have less waste, and I save time and gas because I don’t have to shop for it as often.
The market also carries a very nice selection of locally produced specialty products and gourmet food made from mesquite bean, prickly pear cactus, desert wildflower and other ingredients that are native to the Sonoran Desert. These items include honey, syrup, jam, jelly, marmalade, candy, marinades, dressings, salsas and sauces. The specialty grocery items are not particularly cheap but are generally priced the same as or slightly lower than most other retail outlets. What I appreciate is the convenience of a wide assortment in one place.
The market has ample, free parking. It is clean, well-stocked and maintained. The employees are very friendly and checkout is fast and efficient. I have never waited more than a few minutes for an available cashier.
I only have two gripes about the ranch market. Once in a while, it simply runs out of or does not have at the moment a specific fruit or vegetable that I need for a particular recipe. It can also get very crowded in the winter months when the seasonal residents and visitors are in town.
Superstition Ranch Market (map)
4755 E. Main Street (Apache Trail)
Mesa, AZ 85205
(480) 832-3421
Hours:
7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday
8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday
