Sanibel market drawing to a close
The final Sanibel Island Farmers Market is set for this weekend as it wraps up for the season.
Beginning in October, the last weekly event will take place on May 30 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sanibel City Hall. Organized by Local Roots — co-owned by islanders Jean Baer and Betsy Ventura — the market features a variety of vendors and products, as well as crafters, prepared meals and more.
For the 2020-21 season, new safety guidelines were put in place in light of the pandemic to keep shoppers, vendors and the community safe. Ventura explained that the impact of COVID-19 really hit at the end of the prior season, so during the summer they came up with a plan so they were ready.
“It really really worked out,” she said.
Ventura noted that they coordinated with the city on the plan.
“We are so appreciative of being able to work with the city,” she said. “Having the help of the city manager, Judie Zimomra, and the support of city council and the help from city staff.”
Ventura added that with the plan in place, the season was pretty much flawless.
“It was just so smooth,” she said.
The most challenging component was educating shoppers at the start of season.
“That was pretty much the only hiccup that we had. But, for the most part, everybody was very compliant,” Ventura said. “The customers all had positive responses. They felt it was a safe shopping experience.”
Some of the safety protocols included spreading out the vendors, which enabled shoppers to socially distance too, requiring masks for vendors and attendees, and providing hand sanitizer. Recently, the city lifted its mask mandate in line with the governor’s orders, so now the market is recommending them.
“We’ve switched to recommended,” she said.
The market also adopted a “grab and go” format this season for shoppers to prevent groups from gathering, as the market is known as a social island event. All seating was removed, which assisted.
“There really wasn’t any place to congregate,” Ventura said.
If organizers did see shoppers hanging around, they were given a friendly reminder.
Another new aspect was the chance to place orders for pick up in advance with vendors.
“That worked really well,” she said. “I think people really took advantage.”
Ventura noted that it likely will be continued for next season.
“I think that’s just a convenience,” she said. “When things shake you up a little bit, some good things can come out of it.”
Ventura added that other COVID-implemented aspects that may continue next season are offering hand sanitizer and setting up some of the busier vendors, like smoothies and guacamole, with two booths.
“To help reduce the lines,” she said.
As far as what the market features, shoppers are able to stock up on their fresh produce, exotic fruits, breads and pastries, guacamole, seafood, smoothies, barbecue and more, plus plants and flowers.
New additions this season are: Swell Snacks, with dried fruits; Chef Mazotta, with frozen prepared meals and crab cakes; Daily Delice, with French specialities; Uhmaze, with fresh-pressed juices; Twila Mae Chicken Salad, with different types of chicken salad; Traveling Salad Bar, with build-your-own healthy salads; Sinless Sweets, with vegan gluten-free sweets; Dream Earth Bowls, with acai smoothie bowls; and Fresh Catch, with seafood, pot pies, stuffed chicken breasts, beef and pork.
A few returning favorites are Island Seafood, Andres French Bakery, Pete’s Fresh Mozzarella, Venus Veggies Organic Farm, Dynasty Guacamole, Cherie’s Sweet Treats, and Ernesto and Luigi Sauces.
Asked about how the vendors fared, Ventura reported positive news.
“I think the plan really helped and alleviated any impact. For the vendors, the shoppers were still there,” she said. “I think they were pleasantly surprised. Coming from the end of the previous season where we were happy to have any income, I think people were in great spirits all year.”
Ventura noted that most if not all of the vendors have expressed interest in returning.
“We’re all just so happy to be open and have the positive feedback from the community,” she said.
Once again this season, there were rotating artisans. Some of them included a woman who hand paints wine glasses, tumblers and such, a crafter who makes homemade brooms, and a tin artwork artist.
“They were all new,” Ventura said.
In addition, they offered vendor space to different local nonprofits. She explained that the Sanibel School Fund and Boy Scout Troop 1740 used the opportunity to raise awareness and funding.
Each season, Local Roots partners with F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva to collect unsold boxes of vegetables, fruits and other offerings from the vendors each week to donate to the food pantry. It also serves as a drop-off site for pantry donations. She noted that the pandemic did impact this area.
“I think that was one of the things that was not positive,” Ventura said. “We hope that next year we’ll have a better response from the community and the vendors to keep providing food for F.I.S.H.”
Local Roots thanked the Sanibel Public Library and BIG ARTS for providing overflow parking.
As for the 2021-22 season, it will kick off on the first Sunday in October.
“We look forward to opening again,” she said.
For more information about the Sanibel market and others, visit buylocallee.com.
The Sanibel City Hall is at 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
WHAT
Sanibel Island Farmers Market
WHEN
May 30 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE
Sanibel City Hall, 800 Dunlop Road
WHO
Local Roots
DETAILS
Free and open to the community