Madrean Foods Welcomes San Xavier Co-Op Farm:
A Partnership Rooted in Tradition
At Madrean Foods, we are constantly seeking out partners who share our dedication to high-quality, sustainable, and regionally significant ingredients. That’s why we are absolutely thrilled to announce our new partnership with San Xavier Co-Op Farm.
Located just south of Tucson, Arizona, in the ancestral village of Wa:k, the San Xavier Co-Op Farm is run by members of the Tohono O'odham Nation. They have a rich legacy that honors over 4,000 years of agricultural tradition in the Santa Cruz River valley. The cooperative is deeply committed to the Tohono O'odham Himdag, or "Way of Life," which emphasizes a profound respect for the land, water, elders, plants, and animals. Certified Naturally Grown, the farm uses no chemical pesticides or fertilizers, focusing instead on revitalizing traditional crops, maintaining soil health, and practicing sustainable desert agriculture.
By joining forces, we are proud to bring our Madrean Foods community an incredible selection of traditional desert cultivars and wild-harvested foods straight from their farm to your table.
Highlighting the Harvest: What’s Coming to Madrean Foods
San Xavier Co-Op Farm specializes in nourishing, desert-adapted crops that have sustained communities for countless generations. Here are a few of the amazing products you can now find through Madrean Foods:
Tepary Beans (Bavi): Available in white and red varieties, these drought-tolerant beans are a cornerstone of the historical Sonoran Desert diet. They are savory, high in protein, and rich in fiber (making them highly diabetic-friendly), bringing an authentic, earthy flavor to your soups, stews, and hummus.
Mesquite Flour: Add a distinct sweet, nutty, and slightly caramelized flavor to your baking! Milled from native mesquite pods, this naturally gluten-free flour is packed with protein and extra nutrients. It’s perfect for substituting a portion of regular flour in cookies, pancakes, and breads.
Cholla Buds (Ciolim): A true desert delicacy. Hand-picked with tongs just before the buckthorn cholla cactus flowers in the spring, these buds are dried for year-round use. They boast incredible health benefits—they are high in calcium and contain soluble pectin, which helps regulate and control blood sugar levels.
White Sonora Wheat & Pinole: Considered the oldest wheat in the Western Hemisphere, White Sonora Wheat is a versatile, soft grain excellent for making authentic tortillas and pastries. We will also be featuring their Pinole—a traditional roasted wheat flour that can be mixed with water and chia seeds to create a natural energy drink historically used by long-distance runners!
Raw Desert Honey: Thick, spreadable, and deliciously sweet. This honey is harvested from hives placed directly on the farm, where bees forage on native mesquite trees, alfalfa fields, and seasonal desert wildflowers.
A Shared Vision for the Future
Our partnership with San Xavier Co-Op Farm is about much more than just food; it’s about supporting a community-driven cooperative that empowers local farmers, preserves indigenous knowledge, and protects the environment. Every time you purchase these ingredients, you are directly supporting the farm’s mission to provide healthy, traditional foods and ensuring that their cultural and environmental values thrive for generations to come.
We can’t wait for you to experience the authentic taste of the Sonoran Desert. Look for San Xavier Co-Op Farm’s unique offerings in the Madrean Foods shop today, and join us in celebrating a return to traditional, nourishing, and healthy foods!