Tampa Downtown Market: Fridays (through May 27), 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The vision of the Tampa Downtown Market is to provide local residents and businesses of the community with the freshest, highest quality, most nutritious, and most reasonably priced food and gourmet products. This year the Tampa Downtown Market will be located on the 200 and 300 Blocks of Twiggs Street, spanning Franklin Street, in the heart of downtown Tampa. Parking is available at several locations throughout downtown including the Maas Bros. parking block, which is accessible directly across the street from the Market. tampadowntownmarket.com
Urban Oasis Hydroponic Farm Market: Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Get fresh, organically grown hydroponic veggies straight from this CSA farm in Carrollwood. Open to the public. Arrive early for best selection! 5416 West Linebaugh Avenue, Tampa, 813-293-3276; urbanoasisfarm.com
World Cafe Discussions: Fridays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Awakening and engaging collective intelligence through conversations about questions that matter. RSVP to Pat at 727.421.2746 or goodpat@tampabay.rr.com. Starbucks Cafe- 4th St N and 89th Ave N, St. Pete. theworldcafe.com
Winthrop Town Center Farmers Market: Saturdays, 8 a.m.
Complete with more handcrafted goods, fresh fruits, veggies, and boiled peanuts than you can shake a stick at. 1109 Winthrop Market St., Riverview, 813-601-3129
Brooksville Saturday Market: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
An array of vendors offering food, goods, plants, organics and more at this weekly event. 20 N. Main St., Brooksville, 352-428-9275
Successful Urban Farming Workshop: Saturday, October 22, 8-10 a.m.
Do you want to become more independent and self-sustaining? Then grow your own food! A great refresher for garden veterans and solid advice for beginners. This 2-hour workshop is jam-packed with information for you to apply in your backyard vegetable patch as you prepare for fall planting and consider growing next summer. Check out stpete.locallygrown.net or call 727-515-9469 for more information. $35 per person or $60 when two family members attend together. 5305 20th St. N., St. Pete.
St. Pete Saturday Morning Market: Every Saturday (October-May); 9 am-2 pm.
Featuring locally grown fresh produce, prepared foods, tempting baked goods, plants, flowers, herbs, handcrafted gifts, live music, and more! Downtown St. Petersburg in the Al Lang Stadium parking lot: 1st Ave. S and 1st St. S., St. Pete, saturdaymorningmarket.com
Ybor Saturday Market: Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (year-round)
You'll be sure to find great produce at great prices, gourmet foods and sauces, fresh baked breads, fresh eggs, prepared foods, orchids, herbs and plants, pet treats, honey, unique gifts, photography, artwork, jewelry, woodworking, bath and body products, candles, and so much more. Centennial Park at the corner of Eighth Avenue and 19th Street, Ybor, ybormarket.com
Guided Hike at Weedon Island Preserve: Saturdays, 9-11 a.m.
Guided hikes through coastal mangrove and upland ecosystems of the Preserve are held on most Saturdays of the month. Join us to learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve. Be sure to bring water and a snack for this 2-hour hike. A hat and closed-toe shoes are also recommended. Reserve your space by 2 pm on the Friday prior to the tour of choice. This event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Recommended ages: 6 and up. Weedon Island Preserve- 1800 Weedon Drive N.E. St. Petersburg, 727-453-6500.
Guided Hike at Brooker Creek Preserve: Saturdays, 9-11 a.m.
Take a walk through time each Saturday morning on a guided hike along the Education Center Trail. Join us for this 0.75 mile walk as we look at how the land has changed over time and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Sturdy closed-toe shoes are a must, and water and a hat are recommended. Pre-registration is required by 12:00 noon on the Friday before the hike. Admission: Free. All ages welcome; children younger than 6 may find this hike challenging. 3940 Keystone Rd. Tarpon Springs, 727-453-6800
Hernando Farmers Market: Every Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fresh produce, homemade, handmade products, plants, crafts and more! Offering local small businesses a venue to sell their products and grow their business. St. Rd. 50 and Mariner Blvd. (Located behind Walgreens in the Western Way Plaza), Spring Hill, hernandocountyfarmersmarket.webs.com
Introduction to Permaculture: Saturday, October 22, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Learn about Permaculture (Permanent Culture or Permanent Agriculture) — design method that utilizes ecology to plan and design human habitats that are regenerative and sustainable — and how to use permaculture to design our own homes to be more sustainable. $20; Green Dreams: 14510 Black Lake Road, Odessa, 727-439-6700, greendreamsfl.com
Natural Cold Remedies Workshop: Saturday, October 22, 1 p.m.
We all run the chance of getting one but what can you do to help prevent a cold or how can you get rid of it naturally? In this class, learn about foods that can help you in these situations and get information on how to make your own cough syrup, cough drops, and teas. Attendees will also receive sample bottles of natural cough syrup. RSVP. $15; 1612 Gentry St., Clearwater, 727-433-1661, organiclivingforall.com
Organic Gardening Workshop: Saturday, October 22, 1-3 p.m.
In this fact-filled class, learn about pH, minerals, natural fertilizers, and companion planting for pest control, seasons and placement. This class will cover it all to allow you to create an abundant backyard vegetable garden. $35; Green Dreams: 14510 Black Lake Road, Odessa, 727-439-6700, greendreamsfl.com
Auro Community Garden Open House: Saturday, October 22, 5-8 p.m.
Come out to learn about Auro's community garden and for a great time for the whole family: hay wagon rides, food, membership information and more. Free; 4095 Broad St, Brooksville, 352-238-9091
Sweetwater Organic Community Farm 9th Annual Planter's Ball: Saturday, October 22, 6-10 p.m.
Celebrate another growing season at Sweetwater's 9th Annual Planter's Ball, complete with great food, organic beer and wine, live local music provided by Rob Irie, and a raffle drawing. Bring your family, a covered dish to share, and enjoy a salad made with the farm's first farm-fresh veggies of the season, plus bread and dessert provided by Whole Foods Market. $10 for adults, $5 for kids (at the door); 6-10 p.m. 6942 W. Comanche Avenue, Tampa, 727-505-4587, sweetwater-organic.org
Corey Avenue Fresh Market: Every Sunday, October 16-May, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Attend the new Corey Fresh Market's grand opening and see the new look and vendors it has to offer. This open-air market will feature local vendors, including Brady Johnson "Mr I Got 'em BBQ", who will have their wares set up for sale along with Corey merchants open during market hours for shopping and dining, as well as live music by local musicians. Free; Corey Avenue: Between Blind Pass Road and Boca Ciega Drive in Downtown St Pete Beach, 727-461-7674, coreyave.com
Whole Foods Market 5% Day for Sweetwater Farm: Monday, October 24, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Shop at Whole Foods Market today and 5% of the day’s net sales will be donated to Sweetwater Organic Community Farm: a nonprofit community-supported urban organic farm and environmental education center in Tampa. Meet volunteers from Sweetwater and learn about organic farming. Stock up on your groceries and support a grassroots local cause! 9 a.m.-9 p.m. 1548 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa. 813-874-9435, wholefoodsmarket.com
Tampa Urban Food Forum: Monday, October 24, 6 p.m.
Celebrate the First Annual National Food Day! Tampa Urban Food Forum will be hosting an event aimed to support the local food system here in Tampa. The event will include local urban farmers and gardeners, small farmers, CSAs, food co-ops and local vendors advocating for a safe and local food economy. There will also be a screening the documentary, Urban Roots, which shows the transformation of the Detroit landscape from abandoned buildings into beautiful urban farms. Workshops by local community gardens and other grow-your-own food initiatives, to work-days on farms, individuals and small businesses will provide expert advise on techniques and equipment to start a garden at your own home. Purchase tickets here. $10 in advance, $6 for students and seniors, $12 at the door; 6 p.m. (screening at 7 :30 p.m.) 1812 N. 15th St., Ybor, creativityincommerce.com, facebook.com/pages/Tampa-Urban-Food-Forum
FRESH Screening with Slow Food Tampa Bay: Monday, October 24, 7 p.m.
Join the Slow Food Tampa Bay group at The Studio@620 as they host a screening of the food documentary FRESH — focusing on sustainable agriculture, and depicts farmers, activists and entrepreneurs who are changing America's food system. Bonus: The first 100 attendees will receive a Chipotle Mexican Grill t-shirt and free burrito card for their next visit, and for just $5, get a Chipotle dinner to eat then and there before the film (proceeds will benefit the St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market to help fund a Solar Vermi-Converter compost machine). $5; 7 p.m. 620 1st Ave. S., St. Pete, 727-895-6620, studio620.org, slowfoodtampabay.org
This article appears in Oct 20-26, 2011.