Cooking Light: Uptown Farmers Market among best in U.S.

The new Uptown Farmers Market in Phoenix has made Cooking Light's list of 50 best farmers markets in the U.S.

The market opened in January in the North Phoenix Baptist Church parking lot on Central Avenue south of Bethany Home Road. Nearly 60 local farmers and food makers sell locally harvested flour, fresh picked kale, baked goods, salsas and more.

Cooking Light's 50 Best Farmers' Markets across the country is in the magazine's June issue, which hits newsstands Friday, May 8. Each market has been selected by the experts — chefs and food authorities — who live and work in each state.

In the magazine, chef Charleen Badman of FnB in Scottsdale said "that in addition to a great array of produce and prepared goods produced entirely in-state, the market uses local high school culinary students to clean, peel and chop fresh produce for shoppers on request."

The Saturday and Wednesday market includes produce grown by prolific organic farmer Bob McClendon of McClendon's Select. Other vendors include Noble Bread, Arizona Microgreens, Horny Toad Farm and John's Amish Country.

The market also includes cooking demonstrations, food trucks and live music.

According to Cooking Light, Uptown is an example of the nation's growing appetite for shopping local farmers markets. U.S. markets have grown 371 percent in the last 20 years.

Details: Uptown Farmers Market, 5757 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. uptownmarketaz.com. Hours: 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays through June.