FRESH PRODUCTS: Farmer’s Market moves to Bay Oaks
In less than one month, Beach residents and visitors will be going to a new location to purchase fruits and vegetables, flowers, seafood, baked goods, snack foods, plants and other items.
The 2015-16 Fort Myers Beach Farmers Market will now be held on Bay Oaks Recreational Campus each Friday from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m., beginning Nov. 6. The actual site is being planned for the Town Municipal Pool parking lot.
The weekly seasonal market has changed venue from under Matanzas Bridge off of Third Street between Crescent Street and Old San Carlos Boulevard. The switch is being said to show off Bay Oaks and uncover the hidden jewel on the island.
“This year we hope to give Bay Oaks some more exposure as a destination as well as what we have to offer in service,” said Town Administrative Services Director Maureen Rischitelli.
The move also allows the Town parks and recreational department to take over operations. Traditionally, community parks & rec departments run farmer’s markets.
Many folks seeking fresh, local products have visited the established Town-run market from November through April. Vendors are already expressing interest and signing up to display and sell a wide variety of goods.
“I’m receiving calls every day from vendors,” said Kyle Karczewski, Bay Oaks’ teen and special events coordinator.
Karczewski stated Lakes Regional Park on Gladiolus Drive has scaled down their farmer’s market, prompting more intrigue to the Beach site. That Fort Myers market is run by Lee County Parks & Rec.
“That should help,” he said.
Couple that with pickleball on Friday morning and other Bay Oaks activities, a good turnout is expected. Once parents drop off their children at neighboring Beach Elementary School, they can pop over to do some shopping.
“With the library around the corner and a farmer’s market here, it should be a nice, little community thing,” Karczewski said. “We’re hoping to become more popular. It’s a good spot for it.”
The parking lot enables walkers to access the farmer’s market via Estero Boulevard from the pathway between Gulf Beach Road and School Street.
In the past, regular vendors have satisfied cravings for farm grown produce, vegetables, assorted baked goods, plants, gourmet dips, honey, teas, jams, jellies pickles, barbecue, kettle corn and more. Freshness -whether it be in produce, seafood, baked goods or anything natural- is what the health conscious person desires these days.
The open-air commerce will run through the last Friday of April (but will close on any Friday holidays during that period) with 23 markets on schedule.
Since 2000, local vendors have sold their products in this unique location to happy attendees.
The Beach market peaks in January and February. It’s about supply and demand, and the demand is higher when more people occupy the Beach. Thus, more vendors feel the need to make their way to the Beach to sell their product.
Call Bay Oaks at 765-4222 for more information or if you are interested in joining the existing vendors.