Most of Sanibel Holiday’s guests arrive on Saturdays. If there’s one thing we are sure to mention as you check in, it’s to head for the Farmer’s Market the following Sunday.
We are VERY happy to announce that the Sanibel Farmer’s Market returns Sunday, October 2nd, at the lots of the City Hall on 800 Dunlop Road. If you don’t know where that is, don’t worry. There is signage on the main roads (Periwinkle Way and Sanibel-Captiva Road, among others) to guide you, there is parking on location. Off-location parking is available at the Herb Strauss Theater on Periwinkle Way (across from the Island Cow restaurant), a short walking distance away. Bicycle parking is also available at the Market. Sorry, but pets are not allowed at the Market (with the exception of certified service animals).
This is more than a fruit and vegetable stand (though they have those, too). Vendors come from all around the area (and some as far away as Vermont) offering the widest range of foods, snacks, treats, and gifts. We often tell guests, “Go hungry, and don’t even have your coffee.” That’s because one of the vendors is Jimmy’s Java, with excellent fresh roasted coffee and espresso flavors, both hot and cold brew to drink here and packaged to bring home.
There are many food trucks offering local and international flavors, with seafood, pizza, empanadas (including an awesome “beyond meat” plant-based alternative), New Orleans-style BBQ, French bistro cuisine, Greek gyros (that’s “yee-ros”), European-cut fries, cheeses, breakfast sandwiches…AREN’T YOU HUNGRY YET??!! Wherever you’re coming from, there’s a chance you’re going to find something that makes you feel at home.
There’s also plenty of gifts to shop for, including decorative plants, T-shirts, pet treats (ask for the “peanut MUTTER” dog biscuits), and (December and January) Vermont maple syrup products (maple butter, maple sugar, regular and flavor-infused maple syrups).
The Market runs from 8am until 1pm on Sundays, which is convenient enough for you to get what you need just before your favorite games. They will be operating till the end of May 2022 (including Easter Sunday!). Most vendors do take credit and debit cards, but for those that don’t, small bill cash is appreciated.
And if you should forget to go on Sunday, don’t fret, from October to May the Market will also be on Captiva Island at South Seas Island Resort on TUESDAYS from 9am to 1pm.
For more information on the Farmer’s Markets and their multiple locations throughout Southwest Florida, please visit the Local Roots Farmers Markets webpage at buylocallee.com. Tell them Sanibel Holiday sent you!