Captiva Island Farmers Market to return
The Captiva Island Farmers Market will return to the island next week for its second year.
From Jan. 1 through April 30, the event will take place on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the entrance to the South Seas Island Resort. Organized by Local Roots – co-owned by island residents Jean Baer and Betsy Ventura – it will feature a mix of vendors and products, plus some crafters.
“We’re excited to be back,” Baer said. “It was really well received last year.”
Organizing and operating eight Local Roots markets throughout Lee County this year, the women explained that the resort and community had reached out to them about starting one on Captiva.
“I think it’s taken some of the pressure off of the Sanibel market,” Baer said.
There will be approximately 30 vendors this season taking up the same space, or footprint.
Compared to the Sanibel event, they described it as intimate and nice.
“It’s the perfect size for Captiva,” Ventura said.
Open to residents and visitors, the market will feature just-picked produce, seafood, cheese, honey, freshly-cut flowers, native plants, prepared foods, soaps, candles, smoothies, organic meats and more. Like last year’s event, there will also be crafters and artisans periodically set up with their products.
As for new, the women added the wood-grilled hand-tossed pizza maker found at the Sanibel market, as well as organic Twelve Seasons Farm, Currie’s BBQ, Gina’s Tamales & Oaxacan Cuisine, and more.
“We’ve tried to enhance the food offerings this season,” Baer said.
Other additions are Paradise Soap with handmade soaps, lotions and candles, and Heritage Honey.
“He has a lot of raw local honey,” Ventura said, adding that Heritage even carries Captiva honey, which has been harvested from hives on the Rauschenberg property.
The Captiva Memorial Library will issue library cards and provide information from a booth this year.
“I think we’re trying to give it its own unique feel,” Baer said.
“Make it more of a community market,” Ventura added.
Some of the returning vendors are Angelic Bakery, Dynasty Guacamole, Jimmy’s Java, Madagascar Hats and Island Seafood, along with Farmer Mike, Pasta Machine, LuLa Bags and Moringa Tea.
An estimated 500 people stopped by the market each week last season.
Limited parking is available on site; alternative modes of transportation are suggested.
While the Sanibel market prohibited dogs this year, the Captiva event remains pet-friendly.
The women noted that it is also eco-friendly as no plastic straws are given out.
Baer and Ventura, who can trace their original island roots back to Captiva – Baer working for South Seas and Ventura with her business, YOLO Watersports – encouraged the community to come out.
“Start the year off by supporting small local businesses,” Ventura said.
For more information or to check out their other markets, visit buylocallee.com.
The Sanibel market takes place on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sanibel City Hall.
South Seas Island Resort is at 5400 Plantation Road.