Farmers market set to return to Captiva for new season
The Captiva Island Farmers Market is returning to the island to celebrate its seventh season.
Scheduled for Nov. 26 through April, the event will take place on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Shops at South Seas on Captiva. Organized by Local Roots — co-owned by islanders Jean Baer and Betsy Ventura, who also run the market on Sanibel — it features a mix of vendors and products.
“It gives an opportunity for Sanibel and Captiva to have another farmers market during the week,” Ventura said, adding that if shoppers miss the Sunday event, they can visit Captiva on Tuesday. “It also gives an opportunity for the Captiva community, its residents and visitors, to enjoy their own local farmers market.”
The event is free and open to everyone.
“We’ll probably have about 25 vendors,” she said of the participants this season.
“We’re opening it a little bit smaller than in the past just because of the recovery of the island,” Ventura added, referring to recent hurricanes. “It’s a balance of the number of vendors and number of people.”
Two new participants this year will be Wholly Smoke BBQ and Daily Delice.
“We have a barbecue vendor who makes amazing brisket,” she said, adding that Daily Delice offers wood-grilled pizza prepared and cooked on site.
A few returning favorites will be Molly Malone Seafood and 12 Seasons Farms.
“She’s a seafood vendor. She specializes in crab cakes, coconut shrimp, and she also brings raw Gulf shrimp,” Ventura said. “They’re a local farm out of Buckingham. They grow everything using the organic processes that farmers use.”
Another returning vendor will be Chef Sebastian Mazzotta.
“He makes frozen prepared meals that are super easy to take out of your freezer and heat up, so you can spend more time enjoying the island — as opposed to having to cook,” she said.
There will also be vendors with handmade and handcrafted items.
“We’ll have a small amount of craft vendors,” Ventura said. “Probably five.”
Some of the participants will include jeweler Heart to Hand Studio, Lula with its boho sheek, handwoven Colombian bags, and Holi Cow with its handmade clothing, perfect for island wear.
“Very beach sheek,” she said. “Great coverups and little rompers.”
In addition, different local nonprofits and island organizations will have the chance to connect with the public. Past participants have included the Captiva Civic Association and Captiva Memorial Library.
“We look forward to the nonprofits joining the market again,” Ventura said.
Pet owners are welcome to bring their family pooches.
“It’s dog-friendly,” she said.
As in the past, vehicle parking will be located across the street.
“It is limited,” Ventura said. “So if you’re close by, drive a golf cart or walk.”
She and Baer voiced their appreciation for the support.
“We want to thank South Seas for hosting the farmers market, and we appreciate the whole community for supporting the market,” Ventura said. “We’re exited to be back and returning and opening the market. It’s just one more step toward recovery after a hard couple of years from storms.”
Residents and visitors are invited to swing by.
“To buy local and support the local economy. And if traveling from off island or Sanibel, there’s different vendors at the Captiva market than we may have at the Sanibel market,” she said. “So just another day of supporting local vendors and shopping outdoors — and enjoying Captiva.”
For more information, visit buylocallee.com.
The Shops at South Seas is at 14830 Captiva Drive, Captiva.
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IF YOU GO
What
Captiva Island Farmers Market
When
Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Nov. 26 through April)
Where
The Shops at South Seas, 14830 Captiva Drive, Captiva
Who
Local Roots
Details
Free and open to the community
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email