Two farmers markets continue through summer
Although the Cape Coral Farmers Market South Cape location has completed its season, fresh veggie lovers can continue to shop the market every Saturday at the Cape Coral Farmers Market at Cape Harbour, or Tuesdays at the Surfside Sunshine Market.
Claudia St. Onge, who has been running the markets for nearly two decades for the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral, said the Club Square Farmers Market went better than ever.
“We had great weather for the most part. Only one day was a washout. The numbers were up for everybody. My vendors keep really good track and they all had up years. Our number of customers are up,” she said.
This Saturday, the Cape Coral Farmers Market at Cape Harbour, 5789 Cape Harbour Drive, will begin from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. St. Onge said the market is held the same day and time as the South Cape market, but at a different location.
“We have some nice shade and breezes to tolerate the heat,” she said. “We love being down there. It’s a wonderful venue, very accommodating. We are happy to be there for the summer to keep it going for the local residents.”
The market is held in the middle of the big towers at Cape Harbour. St. Onge said one of the towers shades the vendors until about noon.
“Being on the water there is almost always a breeze,” she said.
The Surfside Sunshine Market, Veterans Parkway and Surfside Boulevard, has changed times to Tuesday mornings, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“The past two years we have been in an inside unit,” St. Onge said of why the times have changed.
They looked at other spaces, but none were appropriate.
“We were lucky enough to be inside as long as we were. Totally appreciative of that, super grateful to them,” St. Onge said.
Most of the top vendors at the Surfside location encouraged the market’s continuation.
“We were going to shut down the market when we couldn’t find an inside place,” St. Onge said. “We have very loyal customers and we hate to disappoint them and not be there for them.”
With that in mind, St. Onge said they hope to seek shade outside of Woody’s.
“That black top is intolerable for our vendors in the summer for the full day. My vendors are there from 2:30-3 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon. We seek shade,” she said.
Both of the markets will feature anywhere from 25 to 30 vendors. The vendors will feature produce as well as breads, pickles, olives, oils, meats, jewelry vendors and craft vendors.
“I have been running it for 19 years now,” St. Onge said. “When I came in I didn’t know much about a market. I thought it was about the produce. I think that is what keeps our customer base so loyal and coming back to us all the time.”
St. Onge said each market has its own specific vendors with limited crossover between the two.
“Our summer season is always somewhat dependent on the weather. Last summer we were never not there at Cape Harbour,” she said, adding that the market is usually shut down if there is heavy rain and lightening.
The main priority of the markets is to keep it fresh and new with local vendors and local growers.
For more information, visit capecoralfarmersmarket.com.