As shoppers report long lines and empty shelves at grocery stores, some are considering other options for essentials during the coronavirus pandemic. Small, independently-run neighborhood markets, such as butcher shops and bodegas, offer an alternative to box stores.
Nick Addante, owner of Arcadia Meat Market, said all the meat he sells come from small-production farms, where animals are raised without antibiotics or hormones. He also tries to stock products from local farmers who have been hurt by the restaurant business slowing down. He carries eggs from Two Wash Ranch in New River and milk from Green Pastures, a raw milk dairy in Coolidge.
He's also made the shop a pick-up location for Steadfast Farm produce boxes. Despite the tough situation many small businesses and farms are facing during the COVID-19 outbreak, Addante said one silver lining is that people seem to be paying more attention to where their food is coming from.
Here are some Phoenix area meat shops
Arcadia Meat Marketoffers grass-fed beef and lamb. The shop also carries eggs, chicken and guinea hens from Two Wash Ranch, as well as pork chops and sausages from Rancho Llano Seco. Outside of meat, Arcadia Meat Market carries bread from Proof bakery in Mesa, produce and microgreens from Steadfast Farm and Arizona Microgreens, Sonoran Pasta and other goods.
or Mexican meat specialties, cuts and tortillas,Encinas Meatin Maryvale andCarnicería Castilloin south Phoenix offer a variety, including lengua, tripas, carne seca, machaca and cecina fresca.
Looking for game meat?Hobe Meatin Phoenix offers a variety: deli meats, burger patties, jerky, ground game meat, including bison, wild boar and venison. The shop also offers specialty meats such as frog legs and alligator. Outside of meat, the shop carries an assortment of bread, cheeses, eggs and house-made sauces
Details:Arcadia Meat Market, 3950 E. Indian School Road, #130, Phoenix. 602- 595-4310,facebook.com/arcadiameatmarket.
Hobe Meat, 6044 N. 16th St., Phoenix. 602-604-2333, facebook.com/hobemeats.
Encinas Meat, 4150 N. 67th Ave., Phoenix. 623-247-9010,facebook.com/encinasmeat.
Carnicería Castillo, 4426 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-288-9074,carniceria-castillo-butcher-shop.business.site.
Stops for eggs, dairy and pantry essentials
With restaurants and cafes closing or offering limited takeout services, some have have turned into makeshift bodegas.
Farmboy Market, a restaurant in Chandler, offers a small corner shop with eggs from Molovin Farm and and fresh sourdough bread, made in-house daily. Customers can also purchase meat including roast beef, steak and ham.Danzeisen Dairyin Laveen also remains open, selling flavored milk, orange juice and house-made lemonade. The shop also sells eggs, cheese curds, jams and pickles. A shop attendant confirmed Danzisen will soon stock house-churned butter.
Plant-based food truckSana Sanaoffers a mobile pantry with indigenous foods. Sana Sana focuses on ancestral foods and plant medicines. The pantry's inventory includes blue corn pinole, popped amaranth, pumpkin atole mix, tepary beans, jarred soup mixes and coffee. The truck recently popped up at the Spaces of Opportunity community garden in south Phoenix. FollowSana Sanaon social media for updates
Details:Farmboy Market, 1075 W. Queen Creek Rd., #1, Chandler. 480- 361-2153,facebook.com/farmboyAZ.
Denzeisen Dairy, 6024 W. Southern Ave., Laveen Village. 623-478-9494,facebook.com/azlocalmilk.
Sana Sana,.instagram.com/sanasanafoods.Hidden Track Bottle Shop, 111 W. Monroe St., #120, Phoenix. 602-566-7932,facebook.com/hiddentrackcafe.
Also at 5070 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-293-3077. EVO, 4175 N. Goldwater Blvd, Scottsdale. 480-265-9814, evoscottsdalemarket.com.
Pane Bianco, 4404 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-234-2100,facebook.com/biancorestaurants.
Also at 623 E Adams St., Phoenix. 602-258-8300.
Here's where you can get local produce
Certifiedfarmers markets were deemed essentialGov. Doug Ducey's executive order. Farmers markets that remain open at the time of writing include:
- Phoenix: Downtown, Uptown, Roadrunner Park
- West Valley: Verrado Community in Buckeye, Pinnacle Peak in Glendale, Momma's Organic in Peoria
- East Valley: Mesa, Ahwatukee, Power Road in Mesa, Singh Meadows in Tempe, Gilbert, Old Town Scottsdale, Carefree
by AZcentral.com