Farmers Market Beachside: A Fresh Start to Your Saturday

By Jennifer Batt, Vero Beach Editor

Some come for the sights, sounds, and smells that overwhelm the senses at the OceanSide Business Association’s weekly Farmers Market, which alone would make for a great start to the weekend, but for many vendors and shoppers the market is a path to healthier eating and a great source of local products.

Every Saturday from 8 am – 12 pm local vendors come to the Farmers Market on Ocean Drive with a mission to provide healthy alternatives to all who visit. From breads to botanicals, produce to poultry, and sauces to spices, the market is a one-stop shopping adventure for any health-conscious buyer.

Dave Pagliaro and Brittany Swartz from the OceanSide Business Association are hopeful to increase entertainment and trade to the Vero Beach vicinity. Their goal is to provide visitors with healthy, fresh foods and horticulture products. “People are concerned about where their food comes from, absolutely”, Swartz confirmed.

With more focus in the news and society about practices in our meat industry and the use of hormone injections and antibiotics in food, many consumers are taking notice. With all of the chemicals, steroids and such it’s no surprise that shoppers seek out organic products, recycled products and earth-friendly products.

Linda Hart, poultry producer and owner of Crazy Hart Ranch located in Fellsmere, discussed the pros of purchasing homegrown chicken. “Pasture poultry is unique in Florida. Nothing on the farm is genetically modified. The poultry is rich in folic acid, vitamin A and lower in fat”. Hart, whose Fellsmere farm was the first licensed pastured poultry farm in the state of Florida, received the Farmer of the Year Award and continues to gain popularity with many notable chefs in the Vero area.

Pastured poultry have access to green grass pastures produce a healthier meat and eggs much higher in vitamin E, folic acid (commercial eggs contain virtually none), beta carotene, and omega 3's, and are much lower in cholesterol.

For the botanical buyer, Akamai Accents is a must see. Located out of Port St. Lucie, this home-goods vendor offers bromeliads, air plants and orchids. With Florida’s growing drought concerns, Akamai’s air plants are a great purchase; delicate and delightful to the eye, these plants need no soil and no watering (also great for those of us who did not inherit a green thumb).

Young’s Market never disappoints with their weekly showcase of fresh fruits, veggies and herbs. Vibrant with color and rich in aroma, the variety of produce is stellar; from their pineapples and mango’s to their tomatoes, zucchini, celery stalks and squash. When not on display at the Farmers Market, you can find these great items at their Vero Beach location, the crossroads of 43^rd and 60^th.

The Farmer's Market Oceanside is an event brought to you and maintained by The Oceanside Business Association, Vero Beach, Florida, whose main purpose is to bring potential shoppers to the Oceanside shopping district. On any given Saturday you can stroll the grounds with some freshly squeezed juice in hand, live music in the background, and an ocean breeze to cool off the summer sun. It’s a great way to stay healthy and it’s a great way to support our local community. Hope to see you there!

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For more information on the Farmers Market:

Hours and Location:

We are open every Saturday 8am - 12pm, in the parking lot North of 2901 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963.

Contact by Phone:
(772) 532-2455

Contact by Email:
fmomanager@gmail.com

Contact by Mail:
Oceanside Business Association
P.O. Box 643745
Vero Beach, FL 32964

WANT TO BECOME A VENDOR?

Contact Dave today at 772 532-2455

info@verobeachoba.com

HOW CAN MY BUSINESS JOIN?

Farmer's Market Vendor Application