Tucson Ethnic Markets Show Trends in Population

A table full of bright yellow turmeric and emerald green sprigs of dried mint adorn the back table of Jasmine's Market at the intersection of Campbell Avenue and Grant Road. A pyramid of twenty pound burlap sacks full of basmati rice grace the front of the store. Red, yellow, and green cans of hummos and fava beans sit on industrial metal shelves. The aroma of honey-soaked baklava wafts from the back room while paintings of Egyptian markets and the Nile decorate the wall behind the cash register.


Ethnic markets and groceries are a significant source of food in the United States. A study released by Iowa State University in 2005, found that Americans spends an average of nearly fifteen percent of grocery money in ethnic food markets.

“I think that a lot people come here to try something different,” said Sukanya Bhat, the owner of India Dunkaan, an Indian grocery store at 2754 N. Campbell Avenue, as she leaned on the counter above a large selection of dusty Indian movies. “They try something at an Indian restaurant and want to make it at home.”
The growth of ethic markets in Tucson shows the growing numbers of other ethnic groups settling in the area.
"When people come to a new country and start earning money, the businesses in the area have to cater to them," said Lora Mwaniki-Lyman from the Eller College of Business Management.
Amer Said from Jasmine's Market also attributes the flow of international students from the University of Arizona to the popularity of the ethnic markets. “We get a lot of students in here looking for food that they got in there native countries,” Said said on a warm Tuesday afternoon at his market. “I've had Lebanese kids in here homesick for baklava and labneh and they are so glad that we stock it.”