Sanibel farmers market to return
The Sanibel Island Farmers Market was established in 2008. Now, it is one of Southwest Florida’s most beloved places to go to for fresh fruits, vegetables and a variety of other local treats.
This year, it is going into its 14th season.
Located at the Sanibel City Hall, residents and visitors can look forward to the farmers market every Sunday from Oct. 3 through May 29 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is something for everyone, from fresh fruits and vegetables, honey and cut flowers, to meats, seafood, prepared meals, cupcakes, bagels, fresh guacamole, native plants and more.
Local Roots was also founded in 2008. Starting with Sanibel, it is the owner of the 10 most well known farmers markets in Southwest Florida.
New vendors this year include Mangia Meatballs, Pickles and Olive Garden, Sage & Indigo Juices, Key Lime Pies, Simply Savory Dips, Ackermann Syrups, Courageous Seeds with kava chai, ghee, herbal teas, honey elixirs and cedar burning bundles, and Karina’s Kitchen with German food, plus Divine Tea for the month of October.
Jean Baer always encourages people to try something new.
“That’s what can be so fun about farmers markets,” Baer, who co-owns Local Roots with Betsy Ventura, said. “Try a new vegetable. Ask the vendor what you can do with it.”
Since they started the Sanibel market, Baer said the biggest evolution she has seen throughout the years has been the number of vendors still with the market and the amount of new vendors they see each year.
“It’s been fun to see how they’ve grown their businesses,” she said. “They’ve added items, expanded the products they offer. It’s been fun to see them raise their children and see them grow up.”
Farmers markets can also be a great steppingstone. For example, Angelic Desserts now has a big storefront in Naples.
“It’s kind of like the American dream,” Baer said. “I love the fact that people come to us with a dream. Like ‘I think I make super good cupcakes,’ and they make them and sell them at the farmers market. And then all of a sudden, five years later, you’re like wow they’ve opened up a couple of bakeries and created this business.”
The Sanibel market began with 15 vendors and now there are about 50.
“They stayed with us,” Baer said. “We’ve developed a really nice team of vendors. Betsy and I are so proud of that. The Sanibel community has been so supportive of these small businesses. If residents and visitors of Sanibel didn’t support it, they wouldn’t come back. The community has been so generous in their support of the vendors. It’s allowed us to build the Sanibel market and build Local Roots.”
And the vendors have gotten to know the residents, too.
“I think people love the fact that when they come to the market, that vendor was there last year and they’re back this year,” she said.
Attendees can get guacamole made on-site at Dynasty Guacamole. At My Exotic Fruit, they can enjoy cut-up fresh fruit.
“If I’m visiting Sanibel from the Midwest and it’s February, how nice is that to have fresh chunks of pineapple?” Baer asked.
There are also a lot of prepared food options.
“People can have a fresh salad made on-site,” she said. “Have fresh salads made and go to the beach with them. Take home prepared lasagna so they can just pop it in the oven that night. Fresh croissants. Fresh-made chicken salad.”
People come to the market each week for fresh cut flowers.
“We see a lot of husbands come in to take fresh bouquets of flowers to their wives each Sunday,” Baer said.
Years ago, Ventura called Baer and asked her if she thought it would be fun for Sanibel to have a farmers market. Baer said, “Let’s try it.” In its first year, the market only lasted for five weeks. And it was held at the Tahitian Gardens.
“The next year we applied for an extended permit and started it at Tahitian Gardens,” Baer said. “It got so popular that the city suggested we move to City Hall because we would have access to the library and BIG ARTS parking lots.”
It grew pretty quickly after that. From there, Baer was approached by Lee County to start a farmers market at Lakes Park in Fort Myers. The newest Local Roots market will be at the Babcock Ranch on Sundays, starting in November.
The atmosphere at the open-air Sanibel market is friendly and inviting.
“We have so much food and it’s fresh food,” Baer said. “It’s so fun to come here.”
Like last year, the market will be more spread out this year to create social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be available everywhere.
“People are encouraged not to gather at the market,” she said. “They should come with a list and what they want to get. Come and go. Grab and go. So there isn’t a lot of social gathering going on.”
People can also call vendors ahead of time so the items will be waiting for them; they can come in, grab them and leave right away.
“If you know you want lasagna for six, you can call and say, ‘Hey this is what I’d like tomorrow, can you set aside six pieces of lasagna?'” Baer said.
She agreed that people are buying locally from farmers markets more than ever.
“My vendors can tell,” Baer said. “Their revenue continues to grow each year, which tells me that people are supporting more locally.”
She thinks the pandemic really helped that.
“People wanted to support all these business who have stayed open,” Baer said.
Attendees know what they are getting is fresh. And it is fun to try something new.
“We have a lady who grills sprouts,” Baer said. “She cuts them right there, they’re fresh. They haven’t been trucked miles to a grocery store and the end-user gets them on the twelfth day. You get them the minute they’re cut.”
In addition, shoppers are encouraged to bring any dry and canned foods to the market booth or give a monetary amount on Sundays that will be donated each week to F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva.
Also, reasonably priced reusable bags will be sold or attendees can bring their own.
For more information, visit online at http://buylocallee.com.
The Sanibel City Hall is at 800 Dunlop Road.
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IF YOU GO
What
Sanibel Island Farmers Market
When
Oct. 3 to May 29 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
To reach KATIE EGAN / news@breezenewspapers.com, please email