Small in Size, Big in Heart

 

On your next trip to the beach, treat your senses to a visit to a local farmers market. Spend the morning sampling freshly baked bread, homemade jams, and artisanal cheeses. Soak in the beauty of native plants, handmade jewelry, and crafted goods. Pet some dogs, chat with locals, pick up fresh-cut flowers for your vacation home and treat yourself to a truly, one-of-a-kind memento from your time along the coast.

Part of the fun of a farmers market is the adventure involved in discovering what is there. The handmade soaps that caught your eye at one booth could lead to a conversation about sourcing local herbs and the discovery of Florida’s first lavender farm.

Or, maybe a smoothie sample will lead to a conversation about how the path of health and healing led Ed Berry, the former owner of For the Health of It in Blue Mountain Beach, to create the Earthquake Eddie Bee line of pollen-based nutritional supplements. 

And speaking of bees, who doesn’t love a jar of local honey? If you’re visiting a farmers market along 30A, you will likely see honey from the Register Family Farm. This veteran-owned, family-run farm began with two honeybee colonies and a dream. The farm has now grown to 1,200 colonies! Samples of wildflower, Tupelo, and creamed honey are usually available, and they also make natural beeswax candles, lotion bars, and soaps. 

Farmers markets along the Emerald Coast and the Forgotten Coast stretch from Fort Walton Beach to Port St. Joe. There’s even a Saturday market near I-10 if you prefer to stop on the drive home.

While farmers markets along 30A, Destin, and the Forgotten Coast are relatively small in size, they are big in heart. 

Along 30A

The Farmers Market at The Big Chill
Every Thursday
From 9 am-1 pm
The Big Chill

Seaside Farmers Market
Every Saturday
From 9 am-1 pm
Seaside

30A Farmers Market at Rosemary Beach
Every Sunday
From 9 am-1 pm
Rosemary Beach

WaterSound Town Center Farmers Market
This farmers market is held in the covered pavilion.
Every Saturday
From 10 am-2 pm
WaterSound Origins

Near Destin

Downtown Fort Walton Beach Farmers Market
Held the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month
Year-round
From 8 am-1 pm

The Artisan Farmers Market
The last Sunday of each month
From 11 am-4:30 pm
Destin Commons

The Farmers Market at Baytowne Wharf
Every Saturday
From July 23-Oct. 1
From 10 am-2 pm
Sandestin

The 30A Farmers Market at Grand Boulevard
Every Saturday
From 9 am-1pm
Grand Boulevard