Settled next to howling machines ripping the streets as part of the light rail construction, the Downtown Phoenix Public Market stands - a stark contrast with its organic, locally made food and art to all the mechanical sights.
Potential buyers meandered through a succession of open tents, each selling wares from local artisans.
Cindy Gentry, executive director of the non-profit community food connection, oversees much of the activity, and said the market is a benefit to the local community.
Gentry works up close with many of the venue's participants.
"The rules are it has to be owned by the people selling it," Gentry said.
"[The farmers] had to have grown it, harvested it or made it," she added.
There are exceptions to the rules, forbidding items not locally grown, but these exceptions apply solely to those venders selling coffee, tea and fish, such as tuna.
All produce sold comes from local farmers, which benefits both the local economy by acting as a money multiplier.
It also lessens the impact on the environment and the farmers' pockets, as expenses like shipping and the middleman are absent.
Gentry said there's a money-multiplier effect at work, and it is directly caused by the downtown market.
The Downtown Phoenix Market's sales are up 35 percent compared to last year.
Within .03 mile of the Residential Commons, the Market could sell to downtown students, who are located in an area with few options for groceries.
Junior and sociology major Leah Keeley went with her cousin to the market Saturday, Jan. 27, who said she wanted to "check it [the market] out." She said the experience was like attending a flea market.
"I expected more fruits and vegetables," Keeley said.
The organization doesn't track who buys what. However, many vendors said they saw an increase in younger people since ASU opened its Downtown campus.
Thomas Davis, who works at Cotton Country Jams at the market, said he noticed an increase of buyers wearing ASU apparel.
Davis said one reason people shop at farmers' markets stems from the assurance of where the food "comes from."
The outside market may become a permanent fixture on the corner of McKinley Street and Central Avenue. Gentry said she hopes to move some of it into a structure located adjacent to the Market.
The Market allows people to bring every member of the family - even dogs, as several dog owners were present while shopping.
"We really have a focus on preserving our state's agriculture and heritage tradition," Gentry said.
"Part of that is by creating an additional outlet for them."
The Market is held Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Reach the reporter at: marc.young@asu.edu.
