Aloha, my name is Kevin Keone Okuma.
I have been a proud resident of Maricopa (Sorrento) for nearly 6 years. One Saturday morning in July 2024, as the Arizona sun was already nearing 100 degrees, I found myself thinking about what I was going to do that day. I really missed going to the farmers markets when I lived in Tempe—visiting the markets in Chandler or Uptown and enjoying that sense of community.
I felt like something was missing here in our town—I just couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Then suddenly it hit me:
Hello!? A farmers market would be amazing for Maricopa!
I began wondering if our town had ever had one. After speaking with several longtime residents and doing some research, I learned that yes—there were markets in the past, around 2012–2017, known as the Maricopa Farmers Market. But currently, there wasn’t one. And as we all know, Maricopa has grown tremendously in just the last five years.
Location, location…
I began searching for the right location—somewhere with ample parking and the ability to support both outdoor and indoor markets during the hot summer months. I talked with local businesses, reached out to community members, and even ran a Facebook poll. The response was overwhelmingly positive and incredibly encouraging.
One day, while driving past Central Arizona College, I noticed the beautiful campus and spacious parking areas. It felt like the perfect fit. After connecting with the right people, I reached out to Megan Purvis—and her response was immediate: “We’d love to talk more about this.” That meeting confirmed the vision. We saw how a farmers market could benefit the community while also providing exposure for the college and its programs.
At the time, I was working full-time at Safe Haven Security ADT, and I had to ask myself if I could truly take this on. After a lot of prayer and reflection, I took a leap of faith. I filed my LLC, and in August 2024, Copa Farmers Market was officially created.
Our first market opened on January 5, 2025.
We started with just 18 vendors, hosting the market every other Sunday so we could learn, grow, and build awareness. Today, we are in our second year with nearly 60 vendors—and still growing. Every week, families (and their pups) stroll the market, support local businesses, and connect with neighbors. That’s exactly what this market was created to do.
From bakers and organic produce vendors to artists, crafters, specialty vendors, food trucks, entertainers, pet adoption groups, and non-profits—our vendors and volunteers work tirelessly behind the scenes to serve this community and create something truly special.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to every vendor, volunteer, and sponsor who makes this market possible. Special thanks to our site hosts, Lowe’s Home Improvement and Central Arizona College, as well as the City of Maricopa and the Greater Business Alliance Chamber of Commerce for welcoming us with open arms.
To the residents of Maricopa—thank you for showing up week after week and supporting local. And to my friends and family, thank you for your continued love and support.
We are proud to call Copa Farmers Market:
“A Community That Grows Together”
