A sunny, 65-degree day at the Gilbert Farmers Market located about 15 miles outside Phoenix, Arizona, is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. If you’re visiting Phoenix in the winter, take a look around at all the local farmers markets happening in the area. Most of the booths provide produce, art, jewelry, homemade jams and jellies, mouthwatering honeys–all locally grown, picked, created, and produced. It’s a great way to find some unique gifts and souvenirs, as well as the fixings for a memorable picnic.

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One of my favorite booths to visit at almost any farmers market in the Phoenix metro is the Doctor Hummus booth. Doctor Hummus makes his flavorful concoctions without the use of tahini (with the exception of the raw and original hummuses). In all my travels, I have yet to find a better-flavored hummus that does not use tahini. Locals are lucky because, not only is Doctor Hummus available at Whole Foods and AJ’s, a gourmet grocer, they can now go to Herb ‘N Flavor, a restaurant that is all about the Doctor (as well as some really good soup).

While you’re out enjoying the sunshine and local produce, take advantage of the Western Canal Trail that runs through Gilbert, Chandler or Tempe. Or, plan to navigate one of the other canal trails in the area by going to the Salt River Project’s (SRP) map of the canal trails around Phoenix and Scottsdale.