News

Jun 23, 2023

Structures lost, but market goes on

Yellow and black caution tape keeps people away from the heavily damaged farmers market ramada at Oro Valley’s historic Steam Pump Ranch. This northernmost of three ramadas was destroyed; the southern

Yellow and black caution tape keeps people away from the heavily damaged farmers market ramada at Oro Valley’s historic Steam Pump Ranch. This northernmost of three ramadas was destroyed; the southern ramada was damaged by a vehicle as well, rendering the entire structure unsafe for occupancy. The Oro Valley Farmers Market has found alternative space on the Oracle Road ranch. (Dave Perry/Contributor)

Oro Valley police don’t know who slammed a white pickup truck into the ramada that shelters the weekly farmers market at historic Steam Pump Ranch late July 20.

It’s too early to estimate the property damage, a course of repair or replacement, or a timetable for any occupancy of the pergola-like structures, according to Lindsay Kerr, Town of Oro Valley public information officer.

One thing is certain. The Oro Valley Farmers Market goes on, asserts Nick Szumowski, executive director of Heirloom Farmers Markets.

“We’ll be there every Saturday, 8 to noon, 9 to 1 starting in October,” he said. “No matter what, we’re there, every week. It doesn’t matter that it’s 105 or 110, we’re going to be there every single Saturday.”

Summer produce is “in abundance right now,” Szumowski continued. “Our vendors are there, and their morale is up. It’s very reassuring to know we work with such amazing Southern Arizona businesses willing to stick it out and rise above the adversity.”

Szumowski received the phone call from Oro Valley Parks and Recreation early July 21, asking him to “please come up right away.” He arrived at the ranch with Lena Melnick, Heirloom’s director of operations.

“We were shocked” at the destruction, Szumowski said. “The damage is so substantial.”

The farmers market ramada is three open-sided, pole-mounted structures, each with a roof, electrical outlets, water for misting guests and vendors, and brick pavers. The northernmost structure was destroyed. But the southernmost is damaged, too. None could be safely occupied.

Szumowski immediately thought about his vendors, 32 of whom were scheduled to be in Oro Valley that Saturday.

“Among them are farmers, ranchers and producers,” people who harvest honey, collect eggs and milk, or create a rich assortment of tortillas, salsa, roasted vegetables, jams, jellies, beverages, breads, and dishes from abroad.

“They’re the lifeblood of the southern Arizona food and agricultural system,” he said. “It’s not just a structure that was affected, it was one of Southern Arizona’s agricultural hubs.”

Szumowski and Melnick had little time to prepare alternative space at the ranch to accommodate the Saturday morning farmers market. They spent several hours marking “a layout for the very next morning” on ranch ground south and east of the ramadas. “We had to be ready to go, in less than 24 hours.”

They were ready. Vendors placed pop-up tents beneath Steam Pump trees. They had lost shade, cooling mist, and electricity. The market itself may have lost visibility from Oracle Road.

“If you don’t see any of those tents lined up along the ramadas,” you might think the market is closed that day, Szumowski said. “The visual component of the market has always been a draw.”

Despite it all, vendors had “a pretty decent day” on July 22. The ranch has “plenty of room, and we’re lucky to have a home like Steam Pump Ranch that’s able to accommodate us,” Szumowski said.

Matt Jankowski, Oro Valley’s interim director of parks and recreation, told Szumowski “it’s just too early” to know the full extent of damage, and what’s next.

“It wasn’t an accident,” Szumowski speculated. “They drove under the southernmost one and clipped the top and the sides. It’s not structurally sound any more. Presumably, they tried to drive under the northernmost one.” But that ramada is six inches shorter than the others, and the vehicle likely hit the ceiling.

“It’s a tragedy,” Szumowski said.

Heirloom Farmers Market operates the Green Valley Village Farmers and Artisans Market each Wednesday, the Udall Park Farmers Market each Friday, the Oro Valley Farmers Market and the Rincon Valley Farmers and Artisans Market on Saturday, and the Rillito Park Farmers Market each Sunday.

The website is heirloomfm.com

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