Fresh From the Farm

Get off that couch and hit the food market 

By Paula Niño

Pick veggies till your heart’s content at the South Florida Farmers’ markets. Photos by Richard M. Brooks

Open-air food shopping is not as common in South Florida as in other major suburban areas. Maybe it’s the heat, or an overall lack of interest. But there’s a real charm to shopping in outdoor markets, where you can talk to farmers and vendors, make new friends, walk your dog and even taste some prepared foods. And there are some great places to do it. Some of them, sadly, will be around only for a few more weeks. But they’re not gone yet, so take some time to visit these local markets before they pack up and bid farewell to the height of South Florida’s growing season.

Upper East Side Green Market

This newcomer market has been a hit in the Upper East Side — so much so that organizers are extending its end date from March 15 until May 3. They’re also pushing for it to operate year-round if locals agree in upcoming community meetings, said market organizer Claire Comlin, adding that the market has routinely had about 30 vendors since it started in January.

“Markets, really, assuming the weather will allow, need to be there year-round,” said Comlin, who also organizes the Lincoln Road, Normandy Village and Aventura Mall markets.

The Upper East Side market, held on Saturdays at Legion Park, has grown into a neighborhood hangout frequented by city officials and local chefs. You’ll find produce — both organic and conventional — and prepared and packaged foods. Fresh mozzarella sells for $6 at one stand, where you can also pick up homemade cannoli for $2. Surrounding area shops also sell products here. Try some pasta or Italian olive oils from Casa Toscana’s Gourmet Store, or pick up some fresh spices and tea mixes.

You never know what new vendors you’ll find here, or whom you might run into, so a weekly visit isn’t out of order, even if just to mingle with your neighbors while you sip on a fruit smoothie.

The Upper East Side Green Market is located in front of Legion Memorial Park at Northeast 66th Street and Biscayne Boulevard in Miami from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through May 3. Free parking is available in the park at 6447 N.E. Seventh Ave.

South Florida Farmers’ Market

Hosted at Pinecrest’s Gardner’s Market, this Sunday market probably has the most variety in terms of produce. Though not all of it is organic and you may find some boxed produce, you’ll meet some great farmers and find great veggies here. Bee Heaven Farms in Homestead, for instance, which is part of Redland Organics and offers a community-supported agriculture program during South Florida’s growing season, has a stand where you’ll find beautiful, fresh fruits and vegetables. You also may want to try some of Teena’s Pride heirloom tomatoes — also from Homestead — which come in so many different varieties that you’ll surely discover something new. Citrus abounds, as do glowing white onions and peppers in all sorts of colors. You also will find organic salad mix by the pound directly from a farm.

When you go, make sure to take a stroll into Gardner’s Market and sample some of the gourmet food items, too. A trip here is sure to satisfy your food-loving curiosity. But hurry, this market ends on March 30.

The South Florida Farmers’ Market is located at Southwest 124th Street and U.S. 1 in Pinecrest from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays through March 30.

Coral Gables Farmers’ Market

The Coral Gables Farmers’ Market, which wraps up its season March 29, is a nice place to hangout on Saturday mornings, when 20 or so vendors set up in front of Coral Gables City Hall while Gables residents do tai chi on the lawn. Don’t miss the inexpensive stone crabs at this market. Brought from Everglades City, the crabs, which sell for $10 per pound, are quite tasty. They’re sold ready to eat, so you can head to the picnic tables on the lawn or take them home and enjoy. Here, you’ll also find grouper, shrimp and crab.

One produce stand worth noting is the one for Paradise Farms, a Homestead farm known for providing quality produce to local chefs and restaurants and for its Dinner in Paradise initiative. This is the first year the farm has been at this market, and, according to one of the volunteers at the stand, it’s getting a good response. On any given Saturday, the folks from Paradise Farms have micro-greens, papayas, dandelions, teardrop tomatoes and more. We hope they’ll return next year.

Other market offerings include French baked goods, teas, spices and various flavors of Florida honey — make sure you stop by the stand for a tasting, which ends with an intense-flavored avocado honey.

The Coral Gables Farmers’ Market is located at 405 Biltmore Way (in front of City Hall) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through March 29.

Coconut Grove Farmers’ Market

This market, run by Glaser Organic Farms in Homestead, takes place every Saturday of the year in Coconut Grove. Aside from the produce, Glaser Farms offers unique packaged raw foods, making this market a little different.

Though the products are a bit pricey, you’ll find some interesting foods you may not come across at your regular grocery store. Take the dehydrated savories, for instance, a variety of breads, crackers and croquettes — all raw. The Curry Nori Crackers are a mix of sprouted almonds, sunflower seeds, herbs, garlic, lime juice, celery, sesame, curry, nori and cayenne. Sweets, such as Glaser’s raw brownies — which have a rich, nutty flavor — also are a nice snack.

The market also offers organic teas, rice, grains, nuts and spices, as well as prepared butters and vinaigrettes.

If you’re not up for shopping here, you can visit the market’s deli for tasty and healthy salads or Giant nori rolls — seaweed rolls filled with fresh vegetables — paired with a mint, honey lemonade. And for dessert, try the vegan ice cream or raw tiramisu, strawberry shortcake or pineapple carrot cake. You’ll be in for an unusual treat.

The Coconut Grove Farmers’ Market is located at 3300 Grand Ave. in Coconut Grove from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Saturday.