Clearwater Downtown Farmer's Market occurs every Wednesday and Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., from October through April 20. The market is located on a vacant lot bordering the Pinellas Trail on East Avenue, south of Cleveland Street between Pierce and Franklin streets. With about 20 vendors, it features fresh fruit, baked goods, music and hand-crafted items. 727-461-7674.
The Dade City Farmer's Market operates from October-May, one Saturday per month, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at the corner of Meridian and U.S. 301, in front of the courthouse. Upcoming dates: March 9; April, 13, May 11. 352-523-1718.
Safety Harbor Farmer's Market takes place every Thursday, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the corner of Second and Philippe Parkway. The markets averages about 25 vendors selling produce, flowers, spices, arts and crafts, fresh crab. 727-726-2890.
Sarasota Downtown Farmers' Market is sponsored by the Downtown Association of Sarasota, and is open 52 weeks a year, every Saturday, 7 a.m. – noon at Main Street and Lemon Avenue. Vendors sell fresh produce, organic produce and a bevy of other items. 941-379-5544.
Temple Terrace Fresh Market is every Saturday, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., between City Hall and Outback Restaurant at 113th Avenue, south of Fowler Avenue. The market usually has three to five vendors selling produce, flowers, jewelry and plants. 813-989-7004.
Ybor City Fresh Market operates every Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at 19th street, between Eigth and Ninth avenues, Ybor City. The market features produce, flowers, baked goods and many other items. On weekends when there are other festivities going on in Ybor City, it stays open longer, and sometimes is accompanied by an arts and crafts market as well. 813-241-2442.
Web sites listing many of the state's farmers' and fresh markets: www.fl-ag.com/farmmkt/ city.htm; and www.starchefs.com/farm_fresh/ htm/florida/shtml
This article appears in Feb 27 – Mar 5, 2002.