Today I visited three agriculture vendors very close together north of Sarasota. Cherokee Cuttings(Terra Ceia),BrownsGroves(Parish) and Maybry's ( My mothers Garden- Wimauma).With limited space on the update I'm going to highlight one a week.
Cherokee Cuttings- take 75 north to Ellenton exit (rt301) go east a few miles to Earie rd (left 2.5 miles).Henry has been asking me for years to visit his nursery. When I took the sharp corner that leads to the nursery I was amazed the size of the green houses located on Henry's 10 acres. Mr. Ford ( as I call him) showed me around and I'll tell ya impressive aint the word. His staff was busy watering, planting and getting a delivery ready for tomorrow morning.Mr.Ford ships plants allover the country grown from small cuttings.  He told me he could fill the street on Lemon all the way to the JavaDawg and more, I tend to agree. The market should be honored to have such a grower for over 10 years.  Mr.Ford puts the G in grower.

 
 

One of our vendors was featured on the Herald Tribune Sunday's paper. 

We are proud to announce that one of our vendors, Krystina Muller with Sharper than New, was recently featured Style Magazine! Please take a minute to read this great article about her knife sharpening services offered Saturdays at the Sarasota Farmers Market. Stop this Saturday to congratulate her and to get all of your knives, scissors and garden tools sharpened!

For more information go to:   http://www.proknifesharp.com/

Peperonata Pasta & Empanadas vendor and the Farmers Market where featured yesterday on ABC7's CHEF JUDI'S DISH segment. Stefania Fochi form Peperonata Pasta & Empanadas (www.peperonatapasta.com) explained how to prepare a home made beef empanada. 

The Jimi Gee's Jr. All Star Band played last Saturday at The Farmers Market.

Four Booker High school VPA (theater) students were selected as extras by Capture Pictures producers of the national Taco John’s commercial  shot this weekend at the market.  Students were treated like stars for the day and got an experience of a life time. The director was very impressed with their performances. Thanks Booker High !!!

The farmers market has made it’s first donation to The Warren Back program that supply school lunches for kid’s in need in Sarasota. This weeks donation was paid for by Capture Pictures a production company shooting a commercial at the farmers Market. A big thanks to Shawn Prouse for the donation and a beginning of a great relationship with worthy backpack cause.

Local Band Passerine playing at the Sarasota Farmers Market

Local Band Passerine playing at the Sarasota Farmers Market
Tanya Radtke, Carmela Pediccini & David Brain

New Vendors at the Market: Taste of Asia, Tiski Toys & Roberta's Crazy Crepes

Some of WET NOSES (www.wetnoses.biz) loyal customers going to the market.
Remember to come see the Spring Parade of Pups at the Sarasota Farmers Market on Saturday May 8th, Mothers Day Weekend. Be sure to bring your best dressed 4-legged friends! Pre-registration begins at 9:30 am. Parade starts at 10:30 am. Fun for the entire family!

All proceeds to benefit the Humane Society of Sarasota County (www.hssc.org)

Watch live video from sarasotafm on Justin.tv

Check this recording of the LIVE FEED form last Saturday and come back next Saturday to come up live on the video feed.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 4/22/10

"Eat Local" is the guiding force behind a new store opening this Tuesday (April 27) in Wimauma.  Mabry's Market brings some of the tastiest foods of our area to the residents of South Shore.  Sisters Susan Bishop and Kathy Oliver, owner/operators of a family farm business, have been networking with other small farms for many years, selling their goods through local farmers markets and an innovative on-line market. "This new store is another step in the evolution of our business and a long-held dream
of ours."
 
Mabry's Market carries fresh produce, eggs and herbs from local farms as well as artisanal breads and pastries.  And it features locally-roasted coffee, both the beans and the brew for take-out.  "We're searching out all kinds of products from our great state including salsas, sauces, jams, mustards, relishes and dairy foods."  When buying local products, consumers get a variety of fresh foods, they support farms and small businesses in their community, and save energy through reduced shipping.
 
Sourcing pesticide-free and organic products is also a high priority even though these may come from other parts of the country.  All the fresh potted herb plants are certified organic as are many of the
more than 100 dried herbs and spices.  
At Mabry's you will also find specialty items such as Louisiana Creole Rose rice, black beluga lentils, Himalayan pink salt, and all-natural sun-dried tomatoes.  The sisters are adventurous cooks and love to try out new dishes.  They'll have lots of recipes available and cookbooks to browse and purchase.
"We chose a family name for our family business. This new market is named Mabry's in honor of our grandmother, Eloise Mabry Bayly, known to us grandkids as 'Nana'. Nana and Grampy's house on Clearwater Beach was the gathering spot for many a family dinner."

Mabry's Market is located at 5129 State Road 674, in a shopping plaza one mile east of Highway 301 (opposite Rachel's Restaurant).  It is open Tuesday-Friday 9am-6pm and Saturday 9am-3pm.  Fans and customers can follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mabrysmarket or phone 813-642-0191 for more information.

Mote Marine's Mobile Exhibit is coming to the Sarasota Farmers Market!  Be sure to stop by Lemon Ave. and State Street on Saturday May 1st, 7am-1pm, for some family fun and great seefood!

• Maggie's Seafood will be selling tasty and sustainably-produced Siberian sturgeon grown at Mote
• Visit Mote's Mobile Exhibit - the Aquarium on wheels. It features a touch tank, a 1200-gallon tropical fish tank and informational displays on sharks, sea turtles and shells.
• Meet Mote's mascots Gilly the Shark and Shelly the Sea Turtle

Peter Burkard chairman of the green committee is pictured with market sign promoting new and on going green projects he is developing. ( sign by Ron Genta )

Come see the Spring Parade of Pups at the Sarasota Farmers Market on Saturday May 8th, Mothers Day Weekend. Be sure to bring your best dressed 4-legged friends! Pre-registration begins at 9:30 am. Parade starts at 10:30 am. Fun for the entire family!

All proceeds to benefit the Humane Society of Sarasota County (www.hssc.org)

Local Non-profit Second Chance Last Opportunity will be at the market every second Saturday of the month.
If you want to learn more about them go to www.secondchancelastopportunity.com

WSLR is at the market broadcasting LIVE.  Get your coffee and pastry and settle in on State Street (southern end of the Market) to enjoy:

7-9am – Shake, Rattle and Roll.  Mr. Rhythm spins your favorite oldies, tunes you haven’t heard in years.

9-11am- Saturday Morning Folk Show.  James Hawkins plays blues, Americana, local and statewide singer/songwriters, bluegrass, and, of course, great folk music.

11am-12pm – Asia Alvis Variety Show – 11 Year old Asia plays music to appeal to the young and the young at heart.

Learn more about WSLR at www.wslr.org

Sarasota Farmers Market Live Feed Snapshot:   Saturday March 27, 10 am

The Players (Your Community Your Theatre) is at the market today:

Visit The Players website: http://www.theplayers.org/

The Players Theatre is dedicated to presenting a diverse and entertaining slate of high quality, volunteer-driven theatrical productions that are educating, stimulating and enriching to the entire community.

Last Saturday we broadcasted the market live on our website for the first time and people loved it. To watch the live broadcast every Saturday morning click here.

Here's a snapshot of last Saturday's live video feed.

Last week at the Market Mote Marine's mascot, Gilly made another appearance.

NBC News at the Market visiting Worden Farms in the rain.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Alan Toy donating blood at the first farmers blood drive at the market. Arranged by Karl Nelson (event chairman) Green Leaf Cheese. 

The Jimi Gee's Jr. All Star Band played yesterday at the Farmers Market.

Fogt's Jr. All Star Band Directed by Jimi Gee are some of the best Middle School and High School musicians from the Sarasota and Bradenton area. The band includes a horn section, keyboards, guitars, drums, and more. They play anything from big band to blues to rock.

  Click here to join Jimi Gee's Jr. All Star Band on Facebook

Come visit us next week for your Produce, Plants,  Flowers,  Prepared Foods, Crafts, Local Organic Products and Specialty Items.

Nice article about the local Farmers markets from Cindy Allegretto at the Herald Tribune:

If you’re looking for fresh produce as well as locally prepared foods, handmade crafts and homegrown herbs and plants, here are a few fresh outdoor markets worth visiting on shopping day:

.... The Downtown Sarasota Farmers Market takes place from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday and has over 50 vendors selling plants, prepared foods, jewelry, crafts and produce. Extra space recently added on State Street allows for special events like cooking demonstrations and a seating area to enjoy your coffee and listen to steel drums.  Main St. & Lemon Ave., Sarasota; sarasotafarmersmarket.org.

Original post: http://exploreyoursarasota.blogs.heraldtribune.com/1070 /farmers-markets-are-local-fresh-and-fun/

Remember to come back next week for your local produce, plants, flowers, prepared foods, crafts and specialty items at our Downtown Sarasota Farmers Market.

Come back for more news and events.

SFMV