Day 2
Explore: San Xavier Cooperative Farm | Native Seeds S.E.A.R.C.H. | Barrio Bread
Dining: Tito & Pep
Established in 1971 by members of the Tohono O’Odham Nation, the San Xavier Cooperative Farm is committed to growing traditional O’odham cultivated and wild harvested foods and honoring sustainable farming practices. Schedule a farm tour and see what’s in season, and finish off your visit with a trip to the country store for tepary beans, mesquite chocolate chip cookie mix, or a jar of local unfiltered honey.
Don Guerra, owner of Barrio Bread, started with his “garage bakery” in 2009 and Tucsonans have been lining up ever since! Don is committed to not only using heritage grains, like Sonoran White Wheat, but to working with local farmers, chefs, and other food producers to strengthen and grow the local food economy, all hallmarks of Tucson’s UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation. Don was named “Best Outstanding Baker” in the U.S. by the James Beard Foundation in 2022.
For more than four decades, Native Seeds/S.E.A.R.C.H. (NS/S) has stewarded the seeds of the desert Southwest and Mexico. Founded in 1983 in response to the concern of farmers, gardeners, Indigenous community members, and conservationists about the devastating loss of seed diversity, NS/S now conserves more than 1,800 regional seed varieties in a climate-controlled seed bank. Native Seeds/S.E.A.R.C.H. seeks to find, protect and preserve the seeds of the people of the Greater Southwest so that these arid adapted crops may benefit all peoples and nourish a changing world. Schedule a tour and learn how the desert does indeed provide.
Dining recommendation: Tito & Pep is a contemporary neighborhood bistro that embodies the spirit of Tucson and the Southwest. Located in Midtown Tucson, this bright venue offers delicious food and beverages, paired with exceptional service in a convivial, relaxed atmosphere. The dining experience centers on mesquite-fired cuisine, enhanced by unique cocktails and a full-service beverage menu that includes locally brewed beer and a curated selection of wines. With over 20 years of experience across the U.S. and abroad, Chef and Owner John Martinez draws inspiration from the multicultural history of the Southwest and his travels to craft a cuisine that is both distinctive and flavorful. Reservations recommended.
