While other states most likely have a “season” for Farmers Markets, the Sunshine State has an abundance of Farmers Market choices year-round. Farmers Markets are a great way to find local produce and artisan food products – fresh local fruits and vegetables, local bakery and dairy products, interesting jams, jellies and honey. Farmers markets are also an easy way for seniors to be social by providing an informal venue to interact with residents, neighbors and local farmers in your area. Call All Steps Home Care to find out how to connect your loved one and their companion to a local market near them.
Get to know local farmers
Seniors can wander through the market without an agenda and stop for free samples and tastes. Take the time to visit, talk to and ask questions of the people who work there. They really do appreciate your curiosity and interest in their effort to grow produce locally and sustainably. Some markets have weekly entertainment too.
What does organic mean, and is it worth buying?
Some farms promote organic farming methods, but the term organic can have many meanings. One definition of organic food: ‘“Organic food is the product of a farming system which avoids the use of man-made fertilizers, pesticides; growth regulators and livestock feed additives. Irradiation and the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or products produced from or by GMOs are generally prohibited by organic legislation.” There are other reasons, besides nutrition, that people choose organic food – such as taste, to avoid pesticides and a concern for the environment. But since organic foods are more expensive, find out which foods benefit from having organic benefits. For example, an organically grown banana might not be superlative health-wise as you take the peel off vs. an apple where the peel would be exposed to the chemicals.
Preserving and canning
If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with your aging loved one or grand-kids, learn how to preserve through canning , freezing or drying. The most useful preserving recipes are the ones that start small so don’t be afraid to try a single batch of fruit or a vegetable you purchased at the farmers market. To learn more about preserving and canning foods, you can sign up for a local Palm Beach County class open to the public .
Ask about Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
CSA has become a popular way to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer and have it delivered near where ou live. A farmer offers a certain number of “produce shares” to the public and can include any produce they are growing at the season. Most programs are available as weekly or bi-weekly, and you can pick your veggies up at either the market or another designated location. By signing up for a CSA, you can save money and try new veggies you might not otherwise buy. Check out local CSA in Palm Beach County here – https://www.localharvest.org/west-palm-beach-fl/csa
Farmers markets near you in Palm Beach County
The Acreage Green Market | Open All Year |
9 am-2 pm Sundays; 25 vendors
Located at The Acreage Community Park, in the unincorporated Acreage Community, 6701 140th Ave. N
Delray Beach
GreenMarket | Open October-May | Founded 1996
9 am-2 pm Saturdays; 60 vendors
Located in Old School Square Park, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach, 33444
Contact Lori Nolan at 561.276.7511 or fb.com/delraygreenmarket
delraycra.org
Boca Raton
Green Market at FAU | Open August-December; and January-April
3-7 pm Thursdays
Located at FAU Stadium, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, 33431
Call 561.297.0197
fau.edu/missiongreen
Green Market | Open October-May | Founded 1996
8 am-1 pm Saturdays; 40 vendors
Located at the south end of Royal Palm Place shopping center, 400 S. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, 33432 Contact Emily Lilly at 561.299.8684
royalpalmplace.com
Greenacres
Buttonwood Plaza Artisans’ Market | Open October-April | Founded 2012
11 am-4 pm Sundays; 15 vendors
Located in the Buttonwood Plaza, 3074 Jog Road, Greenacres, 33467
Contact Leah Gizzi at 561.642.9996
Jupiter
Green Market | Open all year | Founded 2013
8 am-2 pm Wednesdays; 30 vendors
Located at the main entrance of Jupiter Medical Center, 1210 S. Old Dixie Highway, Jupiter, 33458
Contact Jason Hershin at 561.929.0237
jupitergreenmarket.com
Riverwalk Green & Artisan Market | Open all year | Founded 2013
5-9 pm Fridays; 18 vendors
Located under east span of the Indiantown Road Bridge, 100 N. US Highway 1, Jupiter, 33477 (park on the south side of the bridge in the garage)
Contact Harry Welsh at 203.222.3574
harrysmarkets.com
Green Market at Abacoa | Open September-April | Founded 2013
9 am-1 pm Saturdays; 40 vendors
Located at the Abacoa Amphitheater and Village Green, 1260 University Blvd., Jupiter, 33458
Contact Reggie Scurry at 561.307.4944 or [email protected]
abacoa.com
Lake Worth
Farmers’ Market | Open October-April | Founded 2006
8 am-2 pm Saturdays; 40 vendors
Located in Old Bridge Park, 1 South Ocean Boulevard, Lake Worth, 33460
Contact Peter Robinson at 561.283.5856 or email [email protected]
lakeworthfarmersmarket.com
Loxahatchee
Moringa Place
1021 C Road, Loxahatchee, 33470
Contact 561.633.8751
moringaplace.com
Palm Beach Gardens
Summer Green Market | Open May-September | Founded 2011
8 am-1 pm Sundays; 45 vendors
Located inside STORE Self Storage, 11010 N, Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, 33410
561.627.8444
storeselfstorage.com
Gardens Green Market | Open all year | Founded 2003
8 am-1 pm Sundays; 130 vendors
October to May: located in Gardens Park, 4301 Burns Road, Palm Beach Gardens, 33410
June to September: located inside STORE Self Storage, 11010 North Military Trail
Contact Jennifer Nelli at 561.630.1146
pbgfl.com
Riviera Beach
Riviera Beach Market | Open December-March | Founded 2012
2-7 pm Saturdays; 10 vendors
Located in front of the marina, 180 E. 13th St., Riviera Beach, 33404
Contact Toccarra Thomas at 561.844.3408
rbcra.com
Royal Palm Beach
Green Market & Bazaar | Open October-April | Founded 2013
9 am-1 pm Sundays; 70 vendors
Located in Commons Park, 11600 Poinciana Blvd., Royal Palm Beach, 33411
Contact Kathy Gilbert at 561.792.9260
rpbgreenmarket.com
Tequesta
Green Market | Open October-April | Founded 2011
9 am-1 pm, third Saturday of the month; 50 vendors
Located in Constitution Park, 399 Seabrook Road, Tequesta, 33469
Contact Wendy Schmidt at 561.768.0476
tequesta.org
Wellington
Green Market | Open November-April | Founded 2011
9 am-1 pm Saturdays; 60 vendors
Located at the Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd., 33414
Contact Peter Robinson at 561.283.5856
wellingtongreenmarket.com
West Boca Raton
Mega Green Market | Open all year | Founded 2013
8:00 am-2 pm Saturdays; 150 vendors
Located at Olympic Heights High School, 20101 Lyons Road, Boca Raton, 33434
Contact Jason Hershin at 561.929.0237 or [email protected]
westbocagreenmarket.com
West Palm Beach
Green Market | Open October-June | Founded 1994
9 am-1 pm Saturdays; 105 vendors
Located at 101 S. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, 33401
Contact Katrina Resch at 561.822.1515
wpb.org
