On March 20, U-Haul Team Members along with residential and business neighbors enjoyed the third Midtown Farmers Market hosted by U-Haul of the spring season.
The goal of the monthly farmers market is to promote sustainable living and healthy eating while giving back to the local farmers and entrepreneurs.
Midtown Farmers Market Adds to Event
More than 50 vendors were on hand to offer a wide scale of goods. From 10 a.m.-1 p.m., vendors sold an assortment of honey, guacamole, vegan cuisine, organic fruits and vegetables, jams and other items.
Several new self-care stations enhanced the March farmers market as well. There were massages to promote relaxation. Another vendor sold natural skin care products.
Also, attendees could choose from three yoga classes to attend: intermediate, advanced and mindful mediation. These classes took place at the U-Haul Midtown Campus basketball court and lasted for 20 minutes.
More importantly, a pair of good causes (and a U-Haul charity partner) benefited from the latest Midtown Farmers Market. District 4 and Ronald McDonald House Charities had their own tents set up at the event. Refugees sold handmade products at the District 4 tent. At the RMHC tent, volunteer managers were available to offer more information about the organization’s fine work in Phoenix.
Phoenix City Officials Help Refugees
U-Haul happily welcomed Phoenix city officials from District 4, who are working to provide refugee women with a chance to provide for their families. The women are being equipped with business skills and opportunities to sell their handcrafted items and homemade foods at local farmers markets and pop-up shops as a source of income.
Refugee women at the Midtown Farmers Market were selling Syrian sweets, handcrafted Syrian soaps and bath products, as well as Henna tattoo art.
The project was initiated in late 2016. “The overall goal is to give (the women) confidence and to let them know we’re happy they’re here,” notes Michael Petersen-Incorvaia, a District 4 research analyst. “They’re a tapestry of our community and we want to be able to give them entrepreneurial skills.”
District 4 aims to give these women the network and skills to start their own business in the future.
Proceeds Benefit Ronald McDonald House
At the Midtown Farmers Market on March 20, Ronald McDonald House got 10 percent of the event proceeds.
U-Haul is also fortunate to have Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona (RMHC) as a charity partner. At the March farmers market, RMHC received 10 percent of all sales. This money goes to provide families with a “home-away-from-home” experience when a member of their family is receiving pediatric medical treatment in Phoenix.
There are three Ronald McDonald Houses located in the Valley. Last year alone, 1,097 families stayed at one of these houses for more than 17,700 combined nights.
“With the support of the community, RMHC (provides) many comforts of home. These include a common kitchen, pantry, dining room, playrooms, Wi-Fi and laundry facilities,” states Leslie Religioso, RMHC Development Manager. “But most importantly (we offer) private bedrooms where families can get the rest needed to cope during a stressful time. All these things can make a positive impact on a family so that they can focus on what matters the most – the health of their child.”
Click here to view a photo gallery of the Midtown Farmers Market in February.
