Farmers markets are a great resource for affordable fresh food. When customers shop at farmers markets they are supporting local farmers as well as buying food within miles of where it was grown.
In Alachua County it’s spring, and the farmers markets are full of fresh early warm-season crops and the last of the cool-season crops.
Crops you may find in farmers markets in Alachua County this week:
- Fruits: blueberries, citrus, strawberries and tomatoes
- Herbs (such as basil, mint and rosemary)
- Vegetables: Broccoli, cabbage, greens, green beans, green onions, mushrooms, potatoes, radishes, squash, sweet onions, turnips and zucchini
You may also find other local products such as:
- Breads, pasta and baked goods
- Cheese and milk (dairy and goat)
- Chicken and duck eggs
- Coffee
- Handmade soap
- Honey, jams, jellies, and salsas
- Handmade jewelry
- Live plants.
- Locally raised and wild caught meat (seafood, hog, bison, beef, water buffalo, chicken and others)
- Wildflower and farmed bouquets
Local tip #1: Buy honey locally. Many report that eating honey from bees that are exposed to local pollen can help relieve seasonal allergies.
Alachua County is full of farmers markets: the first two we will look at are the Union Street Farmers Market and the Alachua County Farmers’ Market.
Union Street Farmers Market
Local tip #2: Parking can be very limited downtown on Wednesdays. However, make sure not to park in the Sun Center parking lot, as it is reserved for customers only.
The Union Street Farmers Market is every Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. rain or shine. The market is located in downtown Gainesville at the Bo Diddley Community Plaza.
The Union Street Farmers Market is a mixed market, selling both handmade goods as well as food products. The variety of products at the market is wide, and varies week to week.
Live music frequently starts on stage at about 5 p.m. Bring a hula hoop and dance to the music.
Local tip #3: Bring cash. While the Union Street Farmers Market has a booth that gives tokens for use if you only have EBT, a debit card or a credit card, not all the vendors accept this form of currency.
Alachua County Farmers Market
Originally founded in 1972, the Alachua County Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The market is located north on Highway 441 (13th Street) next to the Alachua County Tax Collector’s Office.
Parking can be limited during the warmer months, so it is best to get there early.
This is a grower’s only market. The only vendors you will see here are farmers who have grown their crops or grown the main ingredient in their crafts. All produce sold in this system is seasonal; you will not see crops that are unable to be grown in Florida
A large majority of the products found at the Alachua County Farmers Market are produce as well as live plants. One benefit of this market is that the variety of live plants is much greater than that of the Union Street Farmers Market. The market also sells handmade goods as well as meat products.
Local tip #4: Get to the Alachua County Farmers Market early. The vendors leave as the day goes on, and the product selection becomes slim later in the day.
