Where in Gainesville can you find fresh, local produce, mouth-watering empanadas, gorgeous orchids and watch live entertainment all at the same time? The Farmers' Market of course! Every Wednesday retailers meet at the Bo Diddley Plaza to show off their goods.
Not only is the Farmers' Market a generally fun place to hang out on a weekday afternoon, it offers a variety of products. I've heard rave reviews of the salsa stand, and can personally attest to how awesome both the boiled peanuts (Cajun, of course) and the lemonade infusions are.
The market offers a medley of produce stands from all over Gainesville. They are an excellent resource for fresh, local and organic produce.
Local is the number one way to stay sustainable. Locally produced food travels short distances,therefore using significantly less energy to transport the produce, and can generally be harvested later, making sure your food is at its peak ripeness and freshness.
One such stand belongs to Sasabrill Nursery, a regular at the market with a farm located at 5801 SW 53rd Place Gainesville, FL, 32608. They grow and sell fresh produce, fruit trees, native plants and shrubbery. I talked to Daniel Freed, the proprietor of Sasbrill Nursery, about his farm and the importance of local and organic farming practices.
"My farm is certified naturally grown, and we grow a lot of stuff. There's all sorts of fruit trees: fig, peach, plum and pear. The figs are popular," Freed said. He sets up his stand at the Bo Diddley Plaza farmers market every Wednesday, and at the Alachua County Farmers Market every Saturday.
"I think it's important to use local and organic growing practices, your food is just better," Freed said. And it absolutely is. I was able to take home some of the hot peppers he had for sale and they were absolutely fantastic!
Freed talked about how supporting your local farmers allows them to continue to provide the highest quality products for low prices. Local farmers are an integral part of Gainesville's economy, and a simple way to get the kinds of food you need to be healthy and sustainable. So check out the market, there's something there for everyone!
More information about Sasabrill Nursery, including their selection of fruit trees and schedule, can be found at their website.
