Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Saturday, May 26 is the last Old Town Farmer's Market day of the 2011-2012 season. Come rain or shine, the market will be open, so pack an umbrella or wear your beach clothes and come on out from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm to stock up on all of your favorite local products.

In keeping with the philosophy of "Make it, Bake it, Grow it," the Old Town Farmers Market- Tianguis Cultural is a "producer only" Market - all the products are made, baked, grown and sold by Vendors, all whom live within 50 kilometers of Puerto Vallarta.

Here are just a few of the things you might want to stock up at this season's last Old Town Farmers' Market day... (The Market is scheduled to reopen for its fourth season on the first Saturday in November.)

Ollin Mexica

Inspired by love of this country, its art and spirituality, Cristel Reimink and Heriberto Saucedo of Ollin Mexica create the most distinctive jewelry. Heriberto was trained as a silver artist in the town of Taxco over 15 years ago and then traveled extensively throughout Mexico learning from various artisans the techniques of working with natural gemstones. His unique, one of a kind silver jewelry incorporates the use of turquoise, amber, quartz and more. In addition to using silver he works with woven leather. Cristel also creates fine jewelry using pearls and beads, but now finds she is working more to support Dutch tourism. You can reach Cristel or Heriberto by phone at 293-6925 or by email at ollinmexica(at)hotmail.com.

Organic Super Foods

Yael Rubio and Manuel Murello own the Organic Super Foods store located on V. Carranza in Old Town. Manuel had been a professional body builder who spent 30 years as a nutritional therapist. His goal has been to promote the health benefits of organic foods. From Yael’s Lebanese parents she learned the recipes for some of the items available at their store and the Farmers Market. You can pick up hummus (varieties include cilantro, chipotle or red pepper), Tahini, natural yoghurt, granola and many more items. Their salad dressings, made with ginger, garlic, onions and agave syrup, are recommended to enhance the immune system. You can contact Yael or Manuel via email at yael(at)organiclogistic.com, by phone at 222-3286 or online at OrganicVallarta.com.

Liliana Arte

If you are looking for something different, stop by Liliana Arte and see the colorful leather cuffs (bracelets) created by Liliana Medina. Liliana started her vocation spending 12 years working with silver before transitioning to leather. For the past 15 years she has been designing these unique items embellished with all kinds of beads and charms. Most of her creations are made from rolls of dyed leather purchased in Leon and Guadalajara, where she also purchases the beads and charms. Also available at her booth are necklaces and rings. You can contact Liliana by phone at 102 3378 or by email at lilianaarte(at)yahoo.com.mx. Her cuffs can also be picked up at Lalo Morales which is behind Freddy’s Tucan Restaurant.

Huichol Art

You can find Marcos Martin Jimenez and his Huichol Art at his booth on Basilio Badillo. Marcos comes from the village of San Andreas located some 15 hours deep into the mountains. He has been working at his craft for 20 years. This art has very religious significance and represents visions experienced by a shaman using peyote to induce hallucinations during sacred religious rites. Starting with a base of wood, ceramics or clay, the figure, e.g. iguana, horse, fish, is covered with beeswax and then each individual Czechoslovakian glass bead is applied in various shapes and patterns. Some of the symbols represented include corn for the harvest, the wolf (early ancestors who lived like people), the deer (spiritual guide to the shamans) and scorpions (protector of peyote). You can contact Marcos at 225-5532.

Jugos y Aguas Gloria

Located within the school, you can enjoy a delicious agua fresca at Jugos y Aguas Gloria. Gloria Lopez Salazar has been selling her refreshing drinks for the past three seasons at the Farmers Market. Her family owns a farm beyond Mismaloya called Emiliano Zapata where they grow a number of the ingredients used for her beverages, such as the hibiscus for jamaica and oranges for orange juice. Also available are pineapple or passion fruit juice and horchata (a rice drink). You can contact Gloria via email at lidethrlk(at)hotmail.com.

More about the Market...

Now in its’ third season, the Old Town Farmers Market - Tianguis Cultural has fast become one of Puerto Vallarta's most compelling weekend attractions. Here you can meet new friends, say hello to old ones, talk directly to the producers, buy great products, support the local economy and take part in activities for the whole family.

Stop by the Market info booth located on the corner of Pino Suarez and B. Badillo and purchase a raffle ticket for a chance to win a generous basket of products donated by the various vendors. Bring a donation of school supplies and receive a free ticket to the raffle. All proceeds from the raffle go toward projects to help the school.

The Old Town Farmers Market-Tianguis Cultural is located on Calle Pino Suarez and inside the El Jardin de Ninos Emiliano Zapata, between V. Carranza and B. Badillo. We invite you to visit us every Saturday from November to May between 9:30 am and 2 pm. Plenty of parking is available across the street in the Lazaro Cardenas parkade. For more information, visit the Market website at OldTownFM.com, or its Facebook page: Old Town Farmers Market Puerto Vallarta.

Click HERE to learn more about the Puerto Vallarta Old Town Farmers' Market.