Well, the weather does not quite have the chill of fall but it has lost the burn of summer. That makes this the PERFECT time to enjoy some of our area’s open air farmers markets! Living in the growing metropolis that is the greater Sarasota area, it’s easy to forget the history of agriculture in our area but they are still out there, growing farm-fresh foods and bringing them to a market near you! Here are some options to access local vendors, farmers, and artisans from one side of Sarasota to the other.
When: Every Saturday from 7am to 1pm year round, rain or shine
Where: Downtown Sarasota down Lemon Avenue from First Street to Pineapple
An absolute hub of regional farmers, crafters, nurseries, and artisans bring their wares to the downtown area every Saturday. Whether you’re in the market for this week’s produce or that perfect piece of pottery for your coffee table - or just to enjoy a lovely morning walking about in the city! - you’ll find it at the
Sarasota Farmers Market. While foot traffic through here might be high on Saturday mornings, you can pop in just for a few things or make a morning of perusing all there is to be seen and sold and tasted. Oftentimes, patrons bring their pups to share in the fun. Our favorite way to spend Saturday morning is coming down the Legacy Trail right into downtown and then strolling the vendors with a cup of Kahwa coffee. We hear their pumpkin lattés rival the infamous PSL so pop in their coffeehouse on 2nd Street on your way in or out of the market. Worden Farms is our go-to for produce and we also love the stand that sells woven shopping baskets - we adore our market tote purchased there last season and it is easy to carry and also to bike with!
When: Every Sunday from 10am to 2pm
Where: Lakewood Ranch Waterside
Located in Waterside Place on the lakeshore of Lakewood Ranch Waterside is one of the newer area open air markets, which began on Lakewood Main Street in 2017. Since its move to Waterside Place, this market has really grown! Of course, there are loads of farm-fresh produce here, in addition to an abundance of confectionaries from local vendors, plants galore from nearby nurseries, and specialty goods such as homemade pickles, dairy free ice cream, and items for your pampered pet. Waterside also features Waterside Wednesdays, a delightful street party that is a must-do if you are in the area on a Wednesday evening!
When: Opens October 5! Every Wednesday 8am to 1pm, October through April, rain or shine
Where: Phillippi Estate Park off of Tamiami Trail at Constitution
This mid-week market offers a place for your to re-up on your fresh produce every Wednesday during season. While it hasn’t opened as of this blog’s post date, it opens soon so get it on your calendar for October. ;-) Over 50 vendors bring produce and plants to Phillippi Estate Park each Wednesday for the Farmhouse Market, which also features specialty items, prepared foods, and sometimes even the mobile dog bath and live music! In addition to the typical farmers market offerings, the
Phillippi Farmhouse Market is located right on a beautiful historic site in Sarasota: kids will enjoy the playground, runners can tackle the nature trail, and just about everyone can enjoy watching Phillippi Creek and the boats going by from the nearby marina. It is a picturesque place to enjoy a sunny Wednesday morning and don’t forget to visit our favorites, the living lettuce stand and pretzel truck!
When: Every Sunday 8am to noon
Where: Siesta Key Village
It wouldn’t be Siesta Key if it didn’t go big on island fun. The Siesta Key Farmers Market features live music, Siesta Key Rum, tropical-inspired art and goods, and produce and specialty foods galore. For snowbirds and vacationers, this market is a great place to purchase some uniquely Siesta Key gifts for family back home, or just some island vibe goods to make your beach house that much more Florida. Start here and then meander about the Village - our favorite spot for breakfast and lunch is the Sun Garden Cafe, and we love SKOB for later in the day!
When: Saturday mornings 8am til noon through September, then 8am til 1pm from October through March
Where: 401 W. Venice Avenue, historic downtown Venice
Listen, we know as Sarasotans we do not typically like to drive as far as Venice, but it’s worth checking out our neighbor to the south every once in awhile! Located on Venice Island in the historic downtown area and right by Centennial Park, the
Venice Farmers’ Market is the only market in this list that properly uses the apostrophe, and with this writer, that alone is worth mentioning! Aside from their grammatically correct name, the Venice Farmers’ Market has a lengthy vendor list of local farms, food trucks, artisans, and greenery shops. Fun fact: the Venice Farmers’ Market is an off-shoot from the even-further-further south popular
Englewood Farmer’s Market. If you are an adventurer or someone who wants to try literally all the things local, the Venice Farmers’ Market, or even the one in Englewood, will offer you another side of our coastal area!
We hope you’ll use this list to branch out and visit some of the markets in our area, or try a new one you have not been to before! Now is the perfect time to get out there, as we are out of the hottest part of the summer but the snowbirds have not all flocked south yet. We hope we will see you out there supporting both your health and all our lovely local vendors, farmers, and artisans!
