For Immediate Release: August 18, 2008
Contact: Dana Helfer at (520) 622-0525 x 249
Jack Parris at (520) 622-0525 x 215 or Cell at (520) 444-5412
DESERT HARVESTERS AND COMMUNITY FOOD BANK ANNOUNCE THE ANNUAL MESQUITE BEAN MILLING DATES
Community Mesquite Bean Millings makes use of an abundant desert resource.
Make delicious, nutritious flour from mesquite pods at three upcoming community mesquite bean millings. Mesquite flour can be baked into breads, cakes and muffins and more. Mesquite flour is highly nutritious and is valued for its natural sweetness. In 2007 mesquite milling events attracted over 3,000 people.
Since 2003 Desert Harvesters dedicated volunteers have been helping people mill their mesquite from Phoenix to Bisbee. They teach about native tree planting and how to make use of abundant desert foods which also include prickly pear fruit and pads, cholla buds, ironwood seeds and more.
Marana Heritage Festival and Milling
Date: Saturday, October 25th
Time: 9am to 4pm
Where: Marana Heritage River Park, Tangerine Farms Road and Heritage Park Drive
What: Family festival with mesquite milling, farm stand, farm planting, history displays, food and music
Desert Harvesters Mesquite Milling Fiesta and Pancake Breakfast
Date: Saturday, November 8th
Time: Mesquite milling: 8am to 2pm
Mesquite pancake breakfast: 9am to noon
Where: Dunbar/Spring Community Garden, Northwest corner of University Blvd and 11th Avenue
What: Enjoy an organic mesquite pancake breakfast with live music until noon; recipe books, baked goods, and native medicinals for sale and raffle; native/local food demonstrations and other goodies.
Santa Cruz River Farmers’ Market Milling
Date: Thursday, November 20th
Time: 3-6pm
Where: North East corner of Speedway and Riverview between El Rio Neighborhood Center and the AZ School for the Deaf and Blind.
What: Enjoy samples and food demos using mesquite and other desert foods while you shop for locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs and plants.
Visit www.desertharvesters.org for other local milling event listings.
If you want to mill your mesquite beans: Bring clean, dry pods that snap and are free of stones and leaves; and go home with flour for baking. For information on how to collect, store and prepare beans visit the Desert Harvesters website at www.desertharvesters.org or contact Dana Helfer at (520) 622-0525 ext 249.