Farmers' market
Every Saturday morning, a farmers' market blooms along Lemon Avenue at Main Street. Colorful umbrellas and tents pop up before 7 a.m., the stands underneath bursting with organic produce, fresh cut flowers, beautiful bromeliads and orchids, homemade cookies and an imaginative array of arts and crafts. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air - along with lively tunes by local musicians - as crowds mingle and meander through the festive displays.
Fleshy vine-ripened tomatoes, juicy Florida oranges and grapefruit, bright yellow lemons and a cornucopia of sweet, crisp vegetables not only look inviting, but last longer and taste better when freshly plucked. Potatoes, leeks, strawberries, artichokes… you want it, you'll find it.
For over 30 years, rain or shine, the market has been pleasing palates and accommodating the health and budget conscious with its wonderfully fresh produce. Tremendous assortments of fresh and dried herbs and spices are also available in any quantity; if your recipe calls for a pinch, that's all you need buy.
Prefer a pastry to a plum? You'll also find fresh-baked confections along with varieties of quick breads, or you can wash down a donut with your choice of flavored coffee; beans freshly ground on the spot. There are also gourmet pastas, cheeses and pesto, and snacks such as nuts and sunflower seeds. Honey, homemade mustards, chutneys and jams are also among the plethora of tasty tidbits for sale. From food to flowers, the farmers' market is a feast for the senses.
Plants and trees, flowers and succulents add to the aromatic quality and visual excitement of the event. Each week, a rainbow of hues unfurls with a showing of azaleas, bromeliads, orchids, annuals, perennials and citrus, palm and ficus trees, with fresh-cut flower stands offering colorful competition. Whether you are an armchair botanist or an avid gardener, you'll appreciate this golden opportunity to scoop up your floral favorites.
A melting pot of residents and visitors alike come as much for the camaraderie as for the merchandise. Local artisans present a wide range of unique items, such as shell art, handmade jewelry, and homemade soaps. You'll find silk flowers, copper sculptures and paintings by talented local artists. You can even pause to purchase a massage.
Among the 50 or so vendors present is the Downtown Partnership of Sarasota, sponsor of the market as well as on-site information resource to those unfamiliar with the area. The market is just one of the exciting programs they support to enhance a vibrant downtown.
Once a week, other non-profit agencies find a venue here as well, including numerous cultural and arts organizations.
You'll find fresh Plant City strawberries here, as well!
Open year 'round and free of charge, the farmers' market sprawls for several blocks along Lemon Avenue at Main Street. Peruse the various shops and restaurants in the heart of Main Street during or after the market.
On Sundays, you'll often find a smaller but just as fruitful farmers' market going on in Siesta Key Village. Held in the parking lot by Davidson Drugs, you'll find all the fresh ingredients and even the bread you'll need for that night's dinner. Interact with the farmers themselves, as they are usually the ones selling the fruits of their labor.
