Page 5 - The Edge Issue 7

FARM GROWN
Fresh information about Brevard’s best farmers markets Story by Hana Hunter
Think of of of one characteristic of of of Florida’s natural environment- you’ll most likely think of of of the heat and sunshine While Florida’s sunny nature may force you you to spend more time in in in the shade having over three hundred days a a a a a a a a a a a a a a year of sunshine allows fruits vegetables and plants to have an an an an extra-long growing season so so local farmers markets can thrive and and operate year-round Beyond the obvious benefits to to to farmers farmers and and consumers when one buys local food a a a a a a a a a a a a a a trip to to to the farmers farmers market can also just be a a a a a a a a a a a a a fun way to to to spend a a a a a a a a a a a a a Saturday morning Farmers markets markets in in Brevard County are plentiful Every weekend the the local markets markets come alive with beautifully colored produce a a a a a a a a a a a welcoming family atmosphere and the the delicious scents of o o fresh-baked foods Brevard markets offer offer a a a a a a a a a fun environment to stroll around and and browse offerings while relaxing or or sampling the the fresh and and unique products- offered directly to to customers without the the the preservatives additives or or or the the the additional cost of extravagant packaging or or or marketing For the the environmentally conscious farmers markets are a a a a a a a a a a a a staple But before environmental environmental concerns drove us us to purchase local goods farmers farmers markets markets still proliferated For hundreds of years farmers farmers markets markets have been a a a a a a a a a a a fun and efficient way to to source homegrown foods The origin of farmers markets in in in in the the United States dates back to to 1730 in in in in Lancaster Pennsylvania When designing the the the city designers left a a a a a a a a 120 square foot lot in in in in in the the the the center of of of town for public public marketing leading to to the the the growth of of of one of of of the the the first American public public local-grown food markets markets While farmers markets markets have have been around for centuries they have have grown in in in popularity and scope nationwide in in in the the past twenty years as as as people began trying to avoid GMOs pesticides and mass production But unlike in in 1730s
Lancaster farmers markets today are not just places to to source food food food Local artists musicians food food food truck owners and and makers of unique products products like homemade dog food food food bring their services and and products products to local markets markets giving the the marketspace a a a a a a a a a a a a a a unique something-for-everyone attraction Many local markets markets are trying to to to expand the the idea of the the farmers market market market from a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a marketplace to to to a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a place place to to to grow your your own own food Rockledge Gardens a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a large plant nursery is adding a a a a a a a a a a a a a a “grow your your own” feature to its already popular market The Gardens will begin renting small plots of land to to to customers to to to grow their own produce which is great for those who live in apartments or or simply do not have have have the the land to to have have have a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a garden Renters will also have have have access to to advice and and help from employees who are knowledgeable about plants and and growing practices Farmers markets bring back the old ways
of farm-to- table cooking which is why many local residents spend their time browsing the the various markets around Brevard every weekend Having access to locally grown fresh fruits produce and products gives residents peace of of mind When buying local it is possible to to to speak to to to the the farmer or or maker of of the the product to to to ask questions about ingredients pesticides or or or potential allergens The availability of organic and all-natural products has made farmers markets particularly attractive amongst the the health conscious Whether you you you want to to grow your your own stroll the the the streets with with your your pup or make a a a a a a a a a a a a fresh meal with with that farm-to-table taste the farmers farmers markets in in Brevard have something to to offer everyone A simple Google Search o of local farmers farmers markets markets can can can tell you you where to head this weekend or you you can can can check out the year-round markets markets that can can can be found across Brevard County Want to to visit? Here’s some local farmers markets you can go to!
• Brevard Farmer’s Market (3845 N Wickham Wickham Rd Melbourne FL 32935) Thursdays 3pm to 6pm at Wickham Park • Cocoa Cocoa Beach Beach Farmer’s Market (2 South Orlando Ave Cocoa Cocoa Beach Beach FL 32932) Sundays 9am to 3pm • • Cocoa Cocoa Village Market Market (Brevard Ave and Stone Street Street Cocoa Cocoa FL) Wednesdays 9am to to to 3pm 3pm • • Downtown Melbourne Melbourne Farmer’s Market Market (2301 Irwin Street Street Melbourne Melbourne FL FL 32901) Saturdays
10am to to 3pm • Rockledge Rockledge Gardens (2153 Hwy 1 1 1 1 Rockledge Rockledge Florida 32955) Wednesdays 3pm 3pm to to to 6pm and Saturdays
10am to 2pm • Titusville Titusville Farmer’s Market (3550 S S S Washington Ave Titusville Titusville FL 32780) Saturdays
Saturdays
10am 10am to to to 4pm 4