[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

They choose to go to where there is a farmer’s market because that’s where people show up in large numbers to purchase food. Of course they don’t go to an arts and crafts event running simultaneously. The seafood vendor used to be at the weekly Spanish Springs farmers market and always had long lines. Unfortunately, that farmers market was moved to a location closer to where new homes are being sold.

Spanish Springs event is called Mercado - which literally means Market

“Our newest edition to the Villages Markets, The Mercado at Spanish Springs features Handmade Crafts, Art and Locally Grown Produce. This event also features live acoustic music on the Gazebo Stage every Saturday.”
Produce vendors go where the money is - if there were plenty of customers spending money in SS, there would be produce tables.

Brownwood was packed today at 11.

[RoadToad]

Market at Marion on North 441 has large produce sheds.

[Veracity]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

Produce vendors go where the money is - if there were plenty of customers spending money in SS, there would be produce tables.

Why is this not obvious to everyone? It is said over and over again in regard to every business that closes their doors or moves elsewhere, yet people continue to blame the Developer.

[sdeikenberry]

Generally, if you think you're getting a deal or fresh farm produce at our farmer's markets, you'd be wrong. Usually the same produce is available at Winn-Dixie or Public's at less cost...just sayin' To be fair there are some specialty vendors you won't find in our local grocery stores but not for produce.

[Mrmean58]

Originally Posted by denisez1815

Hello, we moved here approximately two months ago. I've heard about these farmers markets in Spanish Springs & Brownwood. Are they easy to find once you arrive into the town square ? Also are they only on certain days & times ? I appreciate all answers !! Thank you in advance.
Denise

There's a lovely calendar of events located on the Villages app.

[Keninches]

Marion Market is so superior on 27/441. Open Fri. Sat. Sun.
8am to 3 pm. Huge variety.

[Rocksnap]

Hard to find? It’s like trying to find your garage after pulling into your driveway.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Thanks, I checked out the link. We went to that event a couple times, it’s not a farmer’s market, it’s more of an arts and crafts event with one small vegetable vendor. Most importantly, the outstanding vendor that sells delicious fresh seafood at the farmer’s market isn’t there.

The market you're referring to is the one on Rolling Acres, next to the golfing range and across the street from Recreation Plantation RV park.

The seafood truck is still there, if you're talking about the people who sell raw shrimp, salmon, sea bass, etc. by the pound. Last time I was there they even had a guy who offered knife sharpening services. Lots of "cottage industry" canned and jarred food products, a gluten-free bakery table, a few "craft-ish" types of tables, and the center table for all fresh produce.

This one is the one where the egg lady may or may not show up on random Tuesdays. It used to be run on 441 down in Lady Lake, next to Ye Olde Thrift Shoppe. When the pandemic hit, it shut down, and re-opened on Rolling Acres.

They don't have food trucks anymore but there was one lady last year that served 1/4-pound hotdogs with her specialty salsa on it. I don't know if the food truck thing was a decision of the organizers, or if the food trucks just decided they didn't want to use that location.

[Stu from NYC]

I would think most of the "farmers" at farmers market just buy from farm or wholesaler.

Doubt any fairly small farm could grow the variety they are selling each week.

[ThirdOfFive]

We've never gone to that Marion Market but from what has been posted here we're going to give it a shot.

Agree with a lot that has been said about the Brownwood Farmer's Market. We go there now and again; it is an enjoyable weekend morning outing. But we don't go there expecting to find bargains because there aren't any: most items are at grocery-store prices or above. My wife likes it though because there is a stand that sells a fair number of Asian vegetables (daikon, bok choy, snow pea pods, others). For my part other than just walking around and enjoying the atmosphere, there is a hotsauce vendor, "Remo's Pearl of the Antilles" that sells handmade hot sauce at a ridiculously high price but that is exceptionally good and whose stand I patronize from time to time.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

The market you're referring to is the one on Rolling Acres, next to the golfing range and across the street from Recreation Plantation RV park.

The seafood truck is still there, if you're talking about the people who sell raw shrimp, salmon, sea bass, etc. by the pound. Last time I was there they even had a guy who offered knife sharpening services. Lots of "cottage industry" canned and jarred food products, a gluten-free bakery table, a few "craft-ish" types of tables, and the center table for all fresh produce.

This one is the one where the egg lady may or may not show up on random Tuesdays. It used to be run on 441 down in Lady Lake, next to Ye Olde Thrift Shoppe. When the pandemic hit, it shut down, and re-opened on Rolling Acres.

They don't have food trucks anymore but there was one lady last year that served 1/4-pound hotdogs with her specialty salsa on it. I don't know if the food truck thing was a decision of the organizers, or if the food trucks just decided they didn't want to use that location.

We go to that one frequently. It’s only open mid fall through mid spring, not year round. The seafood vendor there is good, but not the same one at the former weekly Thursday Spanish Spring farmers market that is now the weekly Saturday Brownwood farmers market. The seafood vendor at Lady Lake mostly sells frozen fish, not fresh like at the town square market. That being said, the fish is flash frozen and vacuum sealed when fresh and is less expensive and very good quality. In our opinion, the town square farmers market consistently has more vendors and better selection, but the Lady Lake market is much closer for us, easy to park, and much less hectic. I wish the Marion Farmers market was golf cart accessible.

[KGranacki]

We did both the last 2 weeks. Brownwood is really a good one Spanish springs didn’t have many vendors and didn’t have the choices in veggies and fruits and plants.

[Babaretz]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Am I missing something? My understanding is that a few years ago the once weekly Thursday Spanish Springs farmers market became the weekly Saturday Brownwood farmers market. I hope I’m wrong, a weekly farmer’s market in SS would be a great thing for us northern Villagers.

The market in Spanish Springs is called the Mercado Outdoor Market and runs from 9 am until 1 pm through September, and 2pm beginning in October. There are a variety of vendors set up around the square that sell food, crafts, and produce. There is also live music.

[Glowing Horizon]

Originally Posted by sdeikenberry

Generally, if you think you're getting a deal or fresh farm produce at our farmer's markets, you'd be wrong. Usually the same produce is available at Winn-Dixie or Public's at less cost...just sayin' To be fair there are some specialty vendors you won't find in our local grocery stores but not for produce.

Best bet for local produce is Villages Grown stores at farm, Sawgrass Grove, Brownwood & also sold now at Publix.

Farmers Markets have been exposed for often selling produce which was ** grown anywhere ** then purchased at the same wholesale produce distribution centers as grocers buy from.
Buyer beware.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Glowing Horizon

Farmers Markets have been exposed for often selling produce which was ** grown anywhere ** then purchased at the same wholesale produce distribution centers as grocers buy from.
Buyer beware.

That was my thought as expressed earlier in this thread