February/ March Issue 2014 Volume 7 | Page 9

About Us! We started out with a simple vision! To support local farmers and small businesses in the West Valley! It seems like there are more markets to choose from in the Phoenix area and east side of Arizona. We wanted to bring that kind of privilege to the wonderful people in the west valley! We strive to be able to support our local farmers, small businesses, Mom owned businesses, health minded businesses and the local west valley communities. We hope to bring you a fun and wholesome experience with the intent that you will find a place to connect with like-minded neighbors and families. It is empowering to be able to also find that connection between the food you want to put on your table and the farmers that grow their food with integrity that makes it all possible! It is a wonderful thing to be able to meet the farmers and other local companies who put love and hard work into their product that they provide for you! A place where you can actually ask when your produce was harvested or what the difference between an heirloom tomato and typical tomato is. BETTER THAN ORGANIC!!! Did you know that it costs nearly $25,000 a year for a farmer to certify his farm as “organic”? That is typically not realistic for local, small farmers! Of course we support organic…BUT (even more so) we support the small farmers who chose to go above and beyond the FDA “organic“ guidelines. Even though they may not certify their farms with the FDA, they chose to use organic farming methods. They practice using organic or all natural pesticides or (the best thing)…NO pesticides at all!!! It is nothing short of HARD work! If you have ever tried to grow anything in even a small garden…you know that it is a lot of work to keep the critters away. It is so disappointing to see produce get ruined by bugs, but you KNOW at the end of the day that you didn’t compromise the integrity of your food. Even though most local farmers are unable to pay for the certification, they chose to grow their produce using the practices that the organic farmers use. They just may not be able to afford to purchase that infamous sticker! (Which is fine by us because that usually means a rise in prices anyway) Even with “organic” farms…that doesn’t mean “pesticide FREE”! They are still allowed to use a watered down pesticide that is just a diluted version of what a non-organic farmer uses. Now…some may chose to go above and beyond the guidelines! Call or come by today for more info! Mommas Organic Market Christa Esquibel 602.703.7154 info (at) mommasorganicmarket (dot) com Phoenix Ultimate Woman February/ March 2014