28 May 2015
Spring/Summer 2015 (MESA, Ariz.) – Mesa's bountiful harvest is proudly shared with visitors. Here, fresh experiences and a treasured heritage of family farms and long-standing festivals make for lasting memories. Serving as a culinary gateway to Greater Phoenix, the neighboring farms in and around Mesa are providing a bounty of seasonal goods for visitors to enjoy year-round. Citrus in January, peaches in May, olives in October and even, heirloom wheat in the winter. Travelers can time their visits to experience chef-driven local dinners featuring Arizona winemakers and participate in ice cream making classes on a dairy farm. A dozen culinary-focused attractions and visitor experiences line the Agritourism Trail that winds through Mesa, Gilbert, and Queen Creek, Arizona.
PUMPKINS & PEACHES IN QUEEN CREEK
Guests can make reservations for an exquisite dining experience at Schnepf Farms, a fourth generation family farm and the largest peach grower in Arizona. Schnepf Farms hosts their Dinners Down the Orchard program in the "middle of our peach orchard” on their 300 acre farm. Offered a handful of times a year, each one is hosted by a notable Valley chef and features the culinary bounty of the season. Every October residents look forward to the annual Pumpkin & Chili Festival. From corn mazes in the likeness of a celebrity, to hay rides, a country road rally, petting barn and pig races – down home, good ol' country celebrating is an experience to remember. Adding to the mix is midway-style carnival rides and the popular Pumpkin Launch and Witch Mountain giant slide.
A TASTE OF ITALY IN THE DESERT AT QUEEN CREEK OLIVE MILL
Just east of Mesa is the Queen Creek Olive Mill, Arizona's only family-owned and operated working olive mill and farm where olives are grown and pressed for the production of high quality extra virgin olive oil. Grown at the base of the San Tan Mountains, an area known for its fertile soil, this flood plain region is famous for its high quality fruits and vegetables. The combination of long sunny days and cool desert nights provide the ideal growing conditions for the trees. After a tour and complimentary tasting of oils, olives and tapenades, guests are invited to dine at del Piero – the mill's Tuscan-inspired eatery featuring fresh gourmet sandwiches, as well as soups, salads, gelato and espresso. The most popular site at the mill is the Tuscany-inspired olive grove with more than 100 trees showcasing the variety of olives grown and harvested in Arizona.
DAIRY FARM FINDS FANS THROUGH UDDER DELIGHTS
Visitors to Mesa can roll up their sleeves and get a taste of life on the farm. At Superstition Farms in east Mesa, guests can enjoy public tours of a fourth generation dairy farm. Run by brother and sister team, Casey and Alison Stechnij, tours are aimed at demonstrating to visitors the daily life on a working “agritourist” family farm. In addition to learning about modern dairy operation and how farmers work to be environmentally conscious, guests also discover the dedication taken to the care, comfort, and health of every animal. Also on site is a petting zoo, Milk Bar featuring a dozen flavors including Butterscotch and Peaches & Cream, and the Mooster's Moo-tique, a fully stocked boutique featuring toys, novelty items, games, candy, fresh eggs, cheeses, and local jams and honey. Their ice cream, Udder Delights, features local farm ingredients and a fun take on flavors from potato chip and hot dog to avocado and strawberry-basil.
THE ORANGE PATCH RECOGNIZED AS A TOP FOOD DRIVE FOR CITRUS IN THE U.S.
The Orange Patch is one of Mesa's original citrus growers and has stood the test of time as other orchards across the Metropolitan Phoenix area have closed and been forgotten. Located north of the city, the Orange Patch is 110 acres of citrus and 30 acres of sweet corn. Passersby can enjoy the fragrant orange blossoms each spring when temperatures begin to rise. National Geographic named Mesa a top food drive city in 2010 sighting the many thriving citrus growers and miles of city streets lined with citrus groves. Peak season for orange production is January and February. Guests visiting are welcome to watch the picking and production process with special tours offered for groups. Blossoms are blooming every March and April and you can see folks drive by with windows wide open to take in the fragrant fumes. The store also has fresh squeezed orange juice, fresh honey and other gift items for sale.
HEIRLOOM GRAINS TAKE CENTER STAGE AT HISTORIC FLOUR MILL
Taste Arizona history at Hayden Flour Mills, a family-owned flour mill that has been featured in the new documentary “The Grain Divide” (release date: Summer 2015). Focused on native seeds and growing heirloom wheat with minimal processing, Hayden Flour Mills in Queen Creek offers a full-sensory culinary experience that starts with a tour of their milling operation and gives visitors options to participate in baking classes and educational seminars. Here, they showcase flavorful grain and its importance to the American diet highlighting everything from artisan breads, pasta and wheat berries to Bourbon, craft brews, grain-based oils and more. Opening Fall 2015.
NATION TAKES NOTICE OF AGRITOPIA - COUNTRY'S LEADING AGRI-HOOD
Agritopia is a community on the edge of the rural/urban interface. It is an "urban farm" designed to flourish in the urban setting and was recently recognized by the New York Times as a leading 'agri-hood' in the United States. Instead of a huge field of one crop, you find a patchwork of numerous specialty crops. The same-day harvest is sold at The Farm Stand and is also being served at top restaurants across the Greater Phoenix area. All of the produce grown on the farm is grown under the USDA organic protocol. Both restaurants located inside the Agritopia community have established a national foodie following from their appearances on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with host Guy Fieri, and TLC's Cupcake Wars. Don't miss the annual event, Outstanding in the Field returning to Agritopia Oct. 27 and 28.
VERTICAL FARMING AT TRUE GARDEN IN MESA
At True Garden, Mesa native and Compound Pharmacist Troy Albright, R.Ph. has built a 5,000-square-foot vertical urban garden teaching people how to produce healthy and nutritious food using no soil. Featuring revolutionary hydroponic gardening, visitors can enjoy their weekly farmer's market featuring living produce and stay for seminars and food-education programming on organic growing practices, nutrition and overall health and wellness.
Additional Agritourism Trail experiences include:
- Joe's Farm Grill at Agritopia: This 60s-era modern-day diner was converted from the Johnston Family homestead. Featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, the menu showcases classic American fare with premium ingredients straight from the farm.
- Vertuccio Farms: Enjoy seasonal u-pick produce and stop by the neighboring roadside stand to enjoy fresh goods and shop for many of Arizona's finest purveyors. Fresh salsas, spices and more are for sale here all year-round. Every October, take a stroll through Vertuccio Farms' giant corn maze and experience their Fall Festival complete with hot kettle corn, a pumpkin patch and amusements for the kids.
- Arizona Farm Bureau: Located in Gilbert, Arizona the Farm Bureau is the leading resource on Arizona agriculture, a $17.1 Billion industry in the Grand Canyon state. Learn about nutritious eating and Arizona's sustainable table with educational tools and resources provided by the bureau.
- Gilbert Farmer's Market: Held Saturdays year-round, 8 AM – Noon under the iconic Town of Gilbert Water Tower.
- Mesa Farmer's Market: Held Fridays year-round, 9 AM – 1 PM in the heart of Downtown Mesa.
For more information on these and other culinary travel experiences in Mesa City Limitless®, go online to Visit Mesa at www.VisitMesa.com.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Michelle Streeter, Director of Communications
Visit Mesa
Direct: 480-682-3638 Toll-free: 800-283-6372 x345
E-mail: Michelle@VisitMesa.com
Download Images: High-resolution images for editorial use are available for download at www.VisitMesa.com/PhotoTour
