Farmers Market Offers Fruit, Veggies, Gifts

Holiday shoppers looking for a locally grown or handmade gift will revel in the news that the Lake Wales Farmer's Market is once again re-open in the city's historic downtown district.

The market returned with almost 40 vendors on Nov. 14, and is expected to host upwards of 50 or more vendors on Saturday, December 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market operates on the second and fourth Saturday each month, and will be open Dec. 26 as well.

Market manager Lynn Greenfield said the public was more than ready to get back to shopping for local produce, other consumables, and hand made works from local artisans.

"The lion's share of the vendors had a very good day, including myself," noted Greenfield – who peddles organic produce – about the Nov. 14 debut. "I literally sold out of fruits and vegetables. I had nothing left to take home. Our vendors did really well."

The shopper turnout and vendor count pleased Greenfield, since the market had been dark since the spring because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"I was real happy with it. And I expect the market on Dec. 12 to be the biggest number of vendors, it's historically been that way over the last several years. And as far as the buying crowd, I expect that to be pretty good too because that's holiday shopping time."

For vendors who would like to be part of the Dec. 12 market, there is still time to contact Greenfield at 863-676-8782 to reserve selling space.

"Everyone will have their Christmas best out there. If people are looking for local or unusual things, they'll find it there, that's for sure," he added. "There's an awful lot of one-of-a-kind. There will be a lot of new vendors down there, and there will be a lot of familiar faces."

He also noted that he is asking vendors and the public alike to continue following all CDC guidelines concerning the Coronavirus outbreak.

"We want everyone to wear a face mask, along with our vendors, of course," Greenfield said. "We have extra masks, we have hand sanitizer, it's what everyone's been doing for the last seven or eight months."