A guide to farmers’ markets in Miami

Article by: TimeOut

Coconut Grove Farmers’ Market

Every week, Homestead's Glaser Organic Farms transform an unoccupied corner of Coconut Grove into a full-fledged produce market with dozens of fruit and vegetable stands, a raw bar of prepared foods and salads and coolers filled with cold-pressed juices and nut milks available for purchase. There’s even velvety vegan ice cream for sale and several rows of picnic tables on which to sit and enjoy it. Along the periphery of the square you’ll find other local vendors selling honey, homemade soaps, handmade jewelry and other artisanal items. It’s quite the operation that takes place here, making the setup and breakdown so fascinating to watch. At sunset, just like the circus leaving town, everyone quickly dismantles their tents and packs up, leaving no trace of the bustling day on the empty gravel lot.

The Wynwood Farmers’ Market

This massive market could easily take an entire day to explore. You’ll want to start near the front entrance and pick up a fresh watermelon juice or ice-cold coconut water to hydrate while browsing the various vendors. Artisanal soaps, homemade granola in assorted flavors and baked goods suited for all diets (gluten-free, vegan, organic) fill up rows of tables. The market is a great place to buy gifts too, as local Etsy sellers frequently set up pop-up shops here filled with handmade cards and jewelry. Because Wynwood is known for its food trucks, expect to see several neighborhood favorites parked alongside the market, including River Oyster Bar’s fast-casual concept Local Boy Poke.

Adrienne Arsht Center Farmers’ Market

This nighttime farmers’ market is a hit with young professionals who’d rather spend Saturday morning hanging poolside instead of shopping for fresh produce. It’s small but comprehensive, offering a selection of organic fruits and vegetables from South Florida-based farm LNB Groves, ready-made foods, Zak the Baker bread, vegan treats and other specialty items, such as African-made fashion and accessories from local Etsy store All Over Africa. Workshops, themed dinners and cooking demonstrations are scheduled occasionally, while free parking is available directly across from the market in lot C.

Pinecrest Farmers’ Market

The market’s eponymous green space makes shopping its bounty of seasonal fruits and vegetables feel like a trip to the farm. Fortunately, purveyors from nearby Redlands and Homestead bring top organic produce to the Pinecrest suburb each week, taking care of all the hard work. Frequent customers also love the selection of local honey, tropical blooms and other specialty items, including cheeses from independent dairy farmers. While the market takes places year round, some growers opt to only participate during the fall and winter seasons.

Lincoln Road Farmers’ Market

Before big-name stores and theaters commanded Lincoln Road, the pedestrian mall was well known for its weekend farmers’ market. Over the years, the small operation has grown from a few tables on the eastern end of the strip to a goods and produce fair that stretches nearly the entire length of the road. Most of the green market does remain near Collins Avenue but housewares, fresh-cut flowers and specialty items such as artisanal breads and homemade jams are available all throughout.

Coral Gables Farmers’ Market

This seasonal market (starts January 2017) is as much a destination for families as it is for shoppers. Sure, there is a wide variety of fruits and vegetables for sale but market organizers also focus on providing a range of kid-friendly programming each week. Activities include chef demonstrations led by local talent, arts-and-crafts events and free gardening workshops. Bakers and homemakers selling jams and condiments are also market staples.

Southwest Community Farmers’ Market

Per Southwest Community Farmers’ Market agreement with Tropical Park, where the market takes place, everything sold is either local, homemade, or both—which bodes well for first-time shoppers seeking an authentic experience. Fresh produce is abundant here, but prepared foods snag the spotlight. From fresh-baked breads to Peruvian ceviches and Venezuelan arepas, tasty dishes from the area’s most talented home chefs are available to purchase weekly.

Brickell City Centre Farmers’ Market

Shaded by the Metromover track above, the Brickell City Centre Farmers’ Market brings a piece of suburbia to built-up downtown Miami. The spread is pretty conventional with the usual assortment of fruits and vegetables. But because it’s run by The Market Company, who also oversees Lincoln Road’s and the Arsht Center’s farmers’ markets, expect to also find Zak the Baker bread, locally batched honey and prepared Latin foods.

Upper East Side Farmers’ Market

While smaller than most farmers’ markets in Miami, this Little Haiti gem is a community favorite in part for its unique, new age offerings. Stock up on essential oils, sample kombucha teas, buy vegan cookies and gluten-free bread and stick around for a free yoga class. Traditional vendors are also present and often come bearing fruits and vegetables nearly impossible to find at your local grocery store.

The Farmers’ Market at Merrick Park

Coral Gables’ posh outdoor mall is the last place you’d expect to find a farmers’ market but on Sundays, that’s exactly what you’ll see throughout the first floor and courtyard of the Shops at Merrick Park. Vendors peddling artisanal breads, organic produce and fresh-baked goods set up across stores like Cole Haan, Burberry and Nordstrom. Talk about one-stop shopping.