Here's your guide to finding the freshest, locally produced foods and goods (and an all-around good time) at weekly fresh markets in the Bay Area, many of which are back after a summer hiatus.
COREY AVENUE FRESH MARKET Sundays: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. through May. Located off Gulf Blvd between Blind Pass Road and Boca Ciega Drive, St. Pete Beach, coreyave.com. This open-air market takes place in the street and on the sidewalks of historic Corey Avenue on St. Pete Beach. Offering local organic produce, plants and flowers, spices, prepared foods, arts, crafts and live music every week. The local merchants are also open for business to enjoy: bars, restaurants, The Beach Theatre, shops and more. Free parking.
DOWNTOWN CLEARWATER FARMERS' MARKET Wednesdays: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 19 through May 16th. Station Square Park on Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-461-7674, clearwaterfarmersmarket.com. This open-air market has something for everyone — eco-friendly products, produce, art, baked goods — and makes for a great spot to grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee while enjoying the scenery and perusing the wares.
DUNEDIN GREEN MARKET Fridays: 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Nov. 11 through April; Saturdays: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 29 through July. Douglas Ave. and Main St., downtown Dunedin. dunedingov.com. This popular market in Pioneer Park was in such high demand that it's been extended to two days every week with different vendors each day (listed on their website). You'll find an array of fresh local produce, plants, organic and eco-friendly items, and a ton of gourmet foods and drinks in the heart of Downtown Dunedin. Come hungry!
FISHHAWK RANCH FARMERS' MARKET First Sundays: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 16144 Churchview Drive, Lithia, fishhawkconnect.com. A monthly event where you can smell and taste your way through some wonderful local foods, as well as peruse other handmade wares in Park Square at FishHawk Ranch.
FRESH MARKET AT WIREGRASS MALL First and third Saturdays: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., year-round. 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel, theshopsatwiregrass.com. Taking place in the heart of Wesley Chapel's Wiregrass Mall, this main street style market offers many handmade and organic products from over 50 vendors, including an array of produce, twice a month.
GULFPORT TUESDAY FRESH MARKET Tuesdays: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., year-round. Beach Blvd. below 29th Ave. S, gulfportma.com. The newly revamped market in Gulfport's scenic Waterfront District will welcome over 50 vendors each week and will stay open an hour later during these cooler months. New vendors will bring foods from around the globe, Florida grass-fed beef, fresh herbs, plants and flowers, cheesecakes, gourmet pasta sauces and much more.
HYDE PARK FRESH MARKET First Sundays: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., year-round. 742 S. Village Circle, Tampa, 813-251-3500, hydeparkvillage.net. Modeled after the Tampa Downtown Market and the Seminole Heights Sunday Morning Market, this monthly market gives South Tampa folks (and beyond) access to a variety of locally produced products as well as cooking demos and a massage therapist.
SAFETY HARBOR FARMERS' MARKET Thursdays: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 17 through May 10. 401 Main St., Safety Harbor, 727-461-7674, cityofsafetyharbor.com. The gazebo at John Wilson Park plays host to this weekly market, offering prepared foods, fresh seafood and produce, cheeses, organic clothing and more in the quaint downtown area of Safety Harbor.
SEMINOLE HEIGHTS SUNDAY MORNING MARKET Second Sundays: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. through May. 5000 N. Central Ave., Tampa, sundaymorningmarket.com. This market in the eclectic neighborhood of Seminole Heights supports 100-130 vendors, local and ready-to-eat foods and goods, as well as work by neighborhood artists, live bands, cooking demos and rescue pet adoptions.
ST. PETERSBURG SATURDAY MORNING MARKET Saturdays: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct 1 through May 26. First Avenue S. and First Street, St. Pete, saturdaymorningmarket.com. Now in its ninth season, Downtown St. Pete's market is not only a place to grab local food, crafts and everything in between, it's also become the place to see and be seen every Saturday. Grab some breakfast from one of the many local vendors and enjoy the ever-changing lineup of live musical acts — from jazz to blues, funk to folk and more.
SWEETWATER ORGANIC COMMUNITY FARM'S SUNDAY MARKET Sundays: 12-4 p.m. Nov. 6 through May. 6942 W. Comanche Ave., Tampa, sweetwater-organic.org. Every Sunday, Sweetwater's organic "urban farm" opens it gates to the public to share their bounty of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables from both their gardens and from other local farms, as well as handmade goods, fair trade and artisan foods, farm-fresh eggs, local honey, environmentally-friendly products and more. Their Sunday Music Series features some of the best local musicians at their open mic and main stage sessions.
TAMPA DOWNTOWN MARKET Fridays: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct.-May. 200 and 300 blocks of Twiggs St., Tampa, tampadowntownmarket.com. Providing Downtown Tampa with reasonably priced goods from local businesses and artisans with a focus on sustainability. Get everything from cheese and eggs from The Dancing Goat, crepes from La Petite France, "recycled" jewelry from Argyle Gifts and everything in between from over 50 vendors.
URBAN OASIS HYDROPONIC FARM MARKET Fridays: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. through June. 5416 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, 813-293-FARM, urbanoasisfarm.com. Get fresh, organically grown hydroponic veggies straight from this CSA farm in Carrollwood. Open to the public. Arrive early for the best selection! Also offering farm tours on the first Saturday of every month at 1 p.m.
YBOR SATURDAY MARKET Saturdays: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., year-round. Eighth Avenue and 19th Street, Ybor City, ybormarket.com. Besides the local produce and foods, this market has an eclectic mix of handmade jewelry, art, photography, candles and soaps. Take a free rain barrel workshop on the last Saturday of the month.
This article appears in Oct 27 – Nov 2, 2011.