From farm to table

There's a tinge of fall in the air, or as much as there can be felt in subtropical Florida. Probably noticed more by locals than snowbirds. Not that it's getting nippy. But humidity has dropped, blazing temperatures moderated a bit and Thanksgiving is coming up.

Florida's bounty is something to be thankful for. The state is flush with fresh produce this time of year. Various fruits and vegetables each have their season and are available in certain months.

If you want to see which ones are in season, you can check the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services website. Or you can ask your local farmer. Right now, there is a plethora of choices and you can find them at local farmers markets.

The number of farmers markets in the United States has grown rapidly, from just under 2,000 in 1994 to more than 8,600 markets currently registered in the USDA Farmers Market Directory, according to farmersmarketcoalition.org .

In Florida, the FDACS website currently lists 1,470 farmers markets. They're listed alphabetically, not by region or county, so you need to have the name of the market you're looking for. One easy way is looking for a market that starts with the name of your city or town but that won't give you all of them. And there are even more markets than those listed on the site, because markets aren't required to register with the FDACS, so the list is incomplete.

It's clear Florida residents flock to farmers' markets. Florida households spent an estimated $1.8 billion at farmers' markets, roadside stands and U-pick farms in 2011. That's from a 2014 study called "Local and Regional Food Systems in Florida: Values and Economic Impacts," published by researchers led by A.W. Hodges of the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Farming is big business. There are also 12 state farmers markets operated by the FDACS. Two of them are in Southwest Florida: The Fort Myers State Farmers Market at 2744 Edison Ave. and the Immokalee State Farmers Market at 424 New Market Road East, Immokalee. Massive amounts of product move through these 12 markets — more than 25 million units of fresh fruits and vegetables valued at more than $225 million are sold annually, the FDACS says. In addition, nearly one billion units of fresh fruits and vegetables valued at more than $5.5 billion have been sold through the state farmers markets since the first one opened in 1935.

There's a sense of anticipation when you approach a farmer's market. The colors hit you first: red, yellow, white, blue, purple and green — lots of green. There's a feeling of gratification, even amazement, that the place where you live has all this to choose from. If you're lucky, the farm owner, or at least a knowledgeable employee, is on hand to answer questions or make suggestions. It's a personal interaction between the grower and the consumer.

The most successful markets have evolved and morphed gradually over time to offer not only fresh produce but an array of other goods made by local businesses in the community.

Call them community markets. These are popular because you can not only pick up local produce from farmers but browse through other vendors. The largest of these area markets include 90 vendors in season, both at Lakes Park in Fort Myers in Lee County and the Vanderbilt Farmers Market in north Collier County. In Palm Beach County, 130 vendors are available at the GreenMarket in West Palm Beach.

People come for the fresh produce and stay to peruse the vendors or come for the vendors and then take advantage of local produce for sale. It's a symbiotic relationship.

"It helps each other out," said Jean Baer, who runs the Lakes Park Farmers Market along with her business partner, Betsy Ventura. Together, they own Local Roots Farmers Markets, which runs eight markets. Besides Lakes Park, they include Sanibel, Captiva, Coconut Point, Bonita Springs, Boca Grande, Babcock Ranch and Gateway.

"My company generates $8 million in spending in Lee County," Baer said.

Baer believes the lure of these markets is "that sense of community," she said. You're not shopping at a big box store, she said. "People come to know the vendors." In turn, "Vendors get to know customers. It's a very personal experience for people," she said.

When you buy from a farmer's market, most of that money stays in the community, she said. Vendors buy cars, clothes, food and other necessities for daily life, she said.

In addition, they get the chance to sell their wares without having the expense of a storefront.

Florida Weekly sampled some of the markets throughout the region. Nearly all are the community markets with farm goods and an array of other offerings from local merchants. Each has its own flavor. They weren't selected because they were the "best" — just popular examples of places to get a little fresh air and see what the locals have to offer on the weekends and for some markets during the week.

Some are open year-round, some only seasonally.

Come for the fresh produce. Hang out for a while and check out the other stuff. Bring your own shopping bag — you'll need it. And come hungry.

Lee County

Farmer Mike's U-Pick

Farmer Mike's U-Pick is a true farmers market. The only things to munch on are fresh vegetables and fruits, along with some sundries like exotic-sounding jams and Farmer Mike's spaghetti sauce, made with his heirloom tomatoes. Patrons can also pick their own vegetables in season from the field crops on site — it doesn't get fresher than that. You can also cut your own sunflowers for a fall bouquet.

There are actually two Farmer Mikes, senior and junior. When Florida Weekly stopped by on a recent Saturday at the Gladiolus Drive site in Fort Myers, Farmer Mike Clevenger, founder and president, happened to be there. His son, Mike Clevenger Jr., is the owner and CEO.

Mike Clevenger Sr. said he's been in the business for 40 years. Their main location is at 26031 Morton Ave. in Bonita Springs and is now a Fort Myers location for the last two years at 8751 Gladiolus Dr. He wants to get the word out about the Gladiolus site, which he believes is a part of a growing area.

"We are very optimistic Fort Myers is taking off," he said. The markets are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

Country music blared in the background as shoppers browsed bins full of fruits and vegetables, everything from multi-colored peppers to multi-colored cauliflower. They grow over 200 varieties of products, "Cantaloupe, watermelons, all kinds of squash, you name it," Mike Clevenger Sr. said. Many of the crops are at the larger main site on Morton Drive, which also features more varieties of flowers to cut.

Their website states they are a "grower distributor retailer and agritourism farm located in Southwest Florida." They offer farm tours, birthday packages and school trip packages.

Farmer Mike's did experience some damage to his fields from hurricanes Helene and Milton, as did many farmers, he said. "Nothing we can't overcome." Their strawberries will be ready to be picked by Thanksgiving, along with eggplant, tomatoes and sunflowers to cut.

The shelves had a wide variety of jams and jellies, such as fig jam, cinnamon pear jam, monkey butter (banana, pineapple and mango) and Florida Gator jam. This last item was made with ginger, apple, tangerine, orange and raspberry — no gators were in the ingredients. The jams come from a brand called Amish Farmhouse Kitchens, but they're made in Sarasota.

Kaya Sunkel was shopping with her father, Christopher Sunkel, and carried a basket with tomatoes. She loves to have fresh vegetables and the produce there is good, she said. "It's nice this time of year." She's also been at the site with her sister five different times in the past to pick fresh strawberries.

Christopher Sunkel said he's been to the market a couple of times. "I just like supporting local businesses," he said.

In 2018, Farmer Mike's started a food service division that now serves 400-plus restaurants, condo associations, hotels, schools, assisted living facilities and other clients, Mike Clevenger Sr. said. They offer dairy and dry goods and specialty items as requested by clients. They now have 20 trucks that deliver on both the east and west coasts of the state.

"We're fortunate to have that. We're blessed, we really are," Mike Clevenger Sr. said.

Lakes Park Farmers Market

Approaching the multi-colored tent tops as you walk from the packed parking lot toward the Lakes Park Farmers Market, it's clear you're in for variety. The market at Lakes Regional Park runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday from October to June.

The first stop is Irene Lam, owner of Irene's Produce, featuring local, homegrown, organic and Asian vegetables. She said she's been here since the market first opened 17 years ago.

"I like the people – very nice people," she said.

Under the tent, an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, potatoes, multi-colored peppers, Shitake mushrooms (not local), carrots, zucchini, avocado, herbs, green leaf lettuce and dragon fruit beckoned patrons.

Lam said the local produce comes from her farm in Arcadia, but she also sources some goods from out of state and even internationally.

Charlie Newgent, visiting from Millstadt, Ill., was picking out some tomatoes with her 20-month-old grandson in a stroller by her side.

"This is my favorite place to come when I come here," she said of the market. The reason is the people and the variety of items, she said. "I love to eat good food. It's a good place to be."

Nearby, Domingo Flowers from Naples offered a proliferation of plants and trees. They've also been a fixture at the market for 17 years, said employee Sharon Taverna. "We do a lot of markets." They make the rounds of 13 area markets Tuesday through Sunday, she said.

There are houseplants, outside plants like birds of paradise, fruit trees, bouquets, a wall of bromeliads of various sizes and colors and orchids. Taverna enjoys the market and the people. "The vendors are wonderful," she said.

Pedro Cruz, owner of Domingo's, has had a shop in Naples for 20 years. He's anticipating the influx of snowbirds. "Season is a good time," he said.

There is no shortage of things to eat. There was Sandra's Key Lime Pie, a food truck doing a brisk business selling crab cakes, Filipino, Cuban, Italian, Mexican food, Marek's Authentic Polish Food, wild shrimp, handcrafted meatballs, barbecue, organic food and treats, even Wisconsin cheese curds. One vendor was making a giant bowl of guacamole right in front of patrons. The samples were delicious.

A stroll through the tents also showed vendors selling clothes, jewelry and artwork.

Jean Baer, who runs the market with her business partner, Betsy Ventura, said that the market is a destination for groups like bicycle clubs, retirement communities and others. They can shop, get a bite to eat or just sit on a bench and take in the lovely park setting.

Buffy Fisher was visiting from Columbus, Ohio. "Oh my gosh, I love it!" she said. "I wish I had unlimited funds." She bought a mix of food and sundries, homemade guacamole, a shirt and slacks, Turkish towels and other items.

Her companion, Susan Harmon, who lives in the area, bought a bracelet and beach shirt. She said she likes everything about the market. "Fresh produce, good food. Local vendors, lots of good options."

Collier County

Vanderbilt Farmers Market

The market is every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Galleria Shoppes at Vanderbilt in North Naples. The year-round market at 2355 Vanderbilt Beach Road offers 90 vendors during season.

This market is also dog-friendly and has plenty of parking close to the market.

At one end is a Cuban café, at the other Bob's Seafood. In between, there is Margarita's Produce, with fresh lettuce, celery, Brussels sprouts and much more. The owner is Margarita Santiago, who was in the tent interacting with customers. So was her son, Bryan Gomez, who said the market had been there for six years.

Emma Koscica and her daughter Mila bought a basket of produce. She comes because "it's supporting local businesses," she said. "I trust buying things directly from farmers. They probably use less harsh chemicals" in growing their food, she said.

Other vendors featured pet-oriented products, including a business called "Whiskers" and "For the Love of Cats." The Golden Retriever Rescue group was also there with two golden retrievers to say hello.

There was colorful tropical wear, baked goods, including a vendor with paleo baked goods, another with gluten-free and vegan items, hummus, some organic vegetables and even kettle corn. If you want to go the gourmet route, there was a booth with truffle products and extra-virgin olive oil.

At Art and Flowers by Ruby, women were busy searching through a sea of various-sized orchids to find just the right color. There were also a bevy of bromeliads in all colors, many with a special two-for-one sale price, as well as plants for outdoors and indoors.

Add in vendors with handmade hats, handmade purses and locally roasted coffee.

Patron Diane Hlavaty said she likes the market for the variety, the good parking and that it's dog-friendly, but she suggested they need to provide doggie waste bags or have them available to buy. She was with a friend visiting from out-of-town, Lori Pozesky, with her two Goldendoodles. "It's someplace to walk around and get some fresh air," Hlavaty said.

Third Street Farmers Market

This year-round market runs every Saturday from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. During the season, it's held on a stretch of four blocks on Third Street South, from Broad Avenue to 13th Avenue South. From May to November, it's held in the nearby Neapolitan parking lot behind Tommy Bahamas. This is a chance to check out downtown Naples and stroll through the tiny shops just a few steps from the market. The fresh produce includes micro greens and food from an organic farm. You can try Argentinian food or conch salad among offerings from local restaurants. Arts and crafts and clothing are also available. It's dog-friendly and there's live music to entertain shoppers.

Pine Ridge Road Farmers Market

This is a year-round Sunday market at 3370 Pine Ridge Road in northeast Naples, held from 9 a.m. to 1 pm. Besides fresh produce, it offers gourmet foods, jams, honey, jewelry, clothing, hand-made and fairtrade products.

Charlotte County

Punta Gorda Downtown Farmers Market

This market is held year-round from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at Taylor Street and Herald Court, next to the historic courthouse. In the past, it's won awards as the best small market in Florida and 15th in the U.S.

The market features fresh produce, of course, along with jams, baked goods, fresh pasta, kitchenware, beef, fresh seafood, jewelry, candles, soaps, natural facial products, homemade pies, orchids and more. Punta Gorda was hit hard by hurricanes Helene and Milton. Market manager Julie Presseller said a lot of vendors have had damage to their homes and businesses with some loss of product, but they're coming back. Her father, Jerry Preseller, started the market 16 years ago, she said. They have 90 vendors during season, about 70 in summer. There is a sense of community among the market vendors, she said. "We all help each other and support one another."

History Park Sunday Market

The market at History Park, held by the Punta Gorda Historical Society, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays at 501 Shreve St. in Punta Gorda. It has one main local produce vendor, who unfortunately was dealing with damage from the two recently hurricanes and was unable to be there when Florida Weekly visited.

There are several outdoor vendors with clothing, arts and crafts, food and live music. The main draw is the four artisans cottages, where you can see and buy works by the Peace River Woodturners, Southwest Florida Potters Guild, Southwest Florida Fiber Arts Guild and works by glass artists. The glass artists cottage was not open as they had to replace the floors due to hurricane damage.

Fresh Harvest Farmers Market

The market is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays at downtown Wellen Park, 1975 Wellen Park Blvd. in Sarasota. There is fresh produce, plants, honey, jams, a flower truck, and an array of food vendors, including seafood, Italian, Polish, bagels, handmade pretzels, chicken salad, crepes and more. One vendor sells fresh local pet food, and another sells fresh, dried and mushroom powder products. There are about 40 vendors, including a limited selection of arts and crafts vendors.

Palm Beach County

West Palm Beach GreenMarket

This huge market is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays from October through April at The Great Lawn, 100 N. Clematis St., West Palm Beach.

The venue stretches along the waterfront and features 130 vendors during season, said Mary Pinak, community events manager for West Palm Beach.

She said the market is special due to the three "V" factors.

The first V is vendors, she said. Every market has applications for vendors, but the GreenMarket actually has a juried selection, just as you would have a juried selection of art works for an art exhibit.

"We're very particular," Pinak said. "There's a whole process for selecting the vendors. I think our vendors are super important. They're the meat of the market."

The second V is the venue, she said. The market moved to the waterfront from a parking lot in 2012. "It's just a remarkable space," she said. Clematis Street is also the main downtown street, which has a historic tone and lots of shops for patrons to visit. "It has an amazing impact on downtown merchants," Pinak said.

The third V is vista, she said. When you stand in the market and look east, you see the town of Palm Beach, she said. When you look west, you see West Palm Beach. The market itself has great waterfront views.

The market has been named "Best Farmers Market in America" for three straight years in a USA Today readers poll, Pinak said. This year, they came in second. Previous awards include the Best Market in Florida from Cooking Light Magazine.

Every Saturday "probably 8,000 to 10,000" people on average come to the market, she said. From 2022 to 2024, sales of concessions run by the city were up 21 percent, she said.

Last year, the city had over $250,000 in revenue for onsite sales, she said. Vendors also pay a permit fee.

The market was launched in 1995 by former West Palm Beach Mayor Nancy Graham, who envisioned a community gathering place to buy fresh produce from local farmers and interact with friends and neighbors, according to the West Palm Beach city website. The first market was in the parking lot of Old City Hall, with only 13 vendors. In two years, it outgrew its location and moved to Narcissus Avenue and 2nd Street, where it had about 45 vendors. The market moved to the West Palm Beach Waterfront in October 2012.

It's safe to say the market offers everything the other markets listed here have and more. That includes produce from local farms, including an organic farm and aquaponic farm, and lots of food: Korean, Cuban, Indian, pasta, soups, granola, and even a vendor selling salt. Add in all sorts of bread and baked goods, flowers, a multitude of plants, soaps, candles and a dog deli selling natural gourmet dog treats. The market is also dog-leashed friendly.

Vendors are listed alphabetically at www.wpb.org/Residents/Community Events/Events/WPB-GreenMarket/ Vendors. ¦

In the KNOW

Farmers produce

What's in season at farmers' markets? In the winter months, it's pure produce a-plenty, with a wide, amazing array of fruits and vegetables. Here's what's available by month:

· What's in season now?

Avocado, cabbage, celery, cucumber, eggplant, grapefruit, leafy greens, guava, mushrooms, oranges, peanuts, peppers, radishes, snap beans, squash, star fruit, sweet corn, tangerines, tomatoes, watermelon, carrots, passion fruit.

· December: Everything above, adding broccoli and cauliflower, potatoes, strawberries, romaine lettuce, escarole, pineberry and endive

· January: Everything above, but subtract peanuts and watermelon

· February: Add herbs For the times when you can't visit your local farmer's market and need to shop at the grocery store, look for the "Fresh from Florida" sticker, which means it's locally grown.