Tucson: Native Seeds/SEARCH shifting its retail site

By Melody Bartholomew

FOR THE ARIZONA DAILY STAR

While many Tucsonans will notice Native Seeds/SEARCH has moved its store, a bigger change this year will be the opening of its new facility in Brandi Fenton Memorial Park.

The 5,200-square-foot building, which is scheduled to open in late June, will include a new administra­tion office and a much larger, more efficient seed bank.

“This project is going to allow us to reach a lot more people,” said Bryn Jones, the nonprofit group’s execu­tive director.

Native Seeds/SEARCH — (“SEARCH” stands for Southwestern Endangered Aridland Resources Clearing House) — is funding the $1.5 million project through donations from private foundations and citi­zens. It has raised $1.1 million so far.

The seed bank now holds 1,800 varieties of seeds in the guesthouse of a 1920s adobe home. Five freezers

See SEED, A10

IF YOU GO

• What: Native Seeds/SEARCH store grand opening.

• When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

• Where: 3061 N. Campbell Ave.

• Cost: Free.

• Schedule of events: Noon, mole-making demonstration and tasting; 1:30 p.m., gluten­free cooking demonstration and tasting; 2:15 p.m., plant a lima bean and take it home.

• Information: Go online to www.

nativeseeds.org or call 622-5561.

About the store

Native Seeds/SEARCH is plan­ning a host of free events and tastings Saturday in celebration of its new store’s grand opening.

The building, at 3061 N. Campbell Ave., is about 200 square feet big­ger than the old store, which was on North Fourth Avenue.

“I love everything we sell here,” said JP Wilhite, director of distri­bution.