Organic juices. Fresh salsas. Creative crafts. Even tasty treats for your favorite canine. All could be found at the first U-Haul Farmers Market on Jan. 9 in Midtown Phoenix, inviting the public and neighboring Arizona businesses to join U-Haul Team Members in an interactive way to promote the culture of healthy living and sustainable practices.
Monique Wantland speaks with vendors at the U-Haul Farmers Market on Jan. 9.
Some 51 local vendors set up booths along Roanoke Avenue, just west of Central Avenue on the U-Haul Midtown Campus. The event generated such a neighborhood buzz that two more U-Haul Farmers Market dates have been scheduled for 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Feb. 20 and March 20.
U-Haul invests in the well-being of its Team Members and is always exploring new ways to introduce healthy and sustainable lifestyle options while also benefiting the community.
“We constantly try to evolve our wellness program to fit the needs of our Team Members and help them on their journey,” said Monique Wantland, U-Haul wellness marketing specialist.
The U-Haul Farmers Market offered Team Members the luxury of completing their weekly grocery shopping without leaving the office. The participating vendors sold organic foods made with local ingredients and little to no preservatives.
Help from Hayley
U-Haul Farmers Market vendor Hayley Gibbons is enthusiastic about her tasty sauces.
One vendor, Hayley Gibbons, served up Help from Hayley sauces. The sauces are ideal for those who want to enjoy the taste of a home-cooked meal without the fuss of whipping up sauces with store-bought ingredients.
Haley’s creations began by wanting to help her sister prepare a fool-proof meal. When Hayley realized that her sauces made it easy for others to prepare a wonderful dinner at home, she knew it was a product that could sell.
“My sauces help create easy, fast, healthy, gourmet dinners that foodies will love,” Gibbons said.
The sauces, which range from mushroom marsala and chipotle agave to tequila lime and lemon caper, consists of real ingredients and add flavor to meats, salads and even side dishes. Four sauces are gluten-free, and four are low sodium.
Look for Help from Hayley to be a fixture at future U-Haul Farmers Markets.
Sustainable Living
Team Members also tackle their grocery shopping for the week at the U-Haul Farmers Market.
The U-Haul Corporate Sustainability team was also on hand and offered advice on how to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. According to U-Haul community advocate Alexia Bednarz, for every $10 spent on locally grown food, $8 to $9 will be utilized by local farmers/vendors to reinvest in the local economy.
Bednarz also revealed that the average American meal travels roughly 1,500 miles from farm to plate. By buying food from local farmers rather than large grocery chains, shoppers can reduce their carbon footprint.
The first 100 Team Members in line received reusable grocery bags in order to promote the first U-Haul Farmers Market.
“It was great seeing everyone embrace the culture of health and coming together for this event,” Wantland said.
PARKING: Those attending the Feb. 20 and March 20 farmers markets arriving by car can park in the paid lot called 85 E. Thomas Road Parking. It is located behind Panera Bread at the corner of Central Avenue and E. Thomas Road.
Did you know U-Haul also hosts a system-wide Active Day each fall? This provides Team Members and their families across the U.S. and Canada a chance to get out of the office while getting into exercise mode. Be sure to check out the highlights of the latest Active Day by clicking here.
