By VIVIEN QUATTRONE
Various stands filled with every imaginable item like fresh, organic produce, brightly colored flowers, handmade jewelry and ethnic cuisines graces the Winter Park Farmer’s Market from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday and Lake Eola Park Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At the Lake Eola Farmer’s Market one can find fresh produce grown on local farms and also produce grown hydroponically, without soil and only in nutrient infused water. Fresh orange juice can be purchase by the gallon and half gallon for $8 and $5, respectively and one can buy freshly squeezed lemonade by the glass.
A highlight of the market is the authentic ethnic foods ranging in cuisines. The Mobay Bakery has authentic Jamaican food like coconut drops, a sweet molasses bar with pieces of coconut in it, bread pudding and pastries filled with vegetables, beef or chicken and jerk spices. At another stand Columbian delicacies like arepa con queso and empanadas filled with a choice of meats and vegetables varying weekly are sold. At three for $5 they are a delicious deal. Another vendor offers traditional Greek food like bakalava, a sweet pastry made with layers of nuts, honey and pyllo dough, two pieces for $3, couscous and tubule.
If looking for a larger farmer’s market with more diverse vendors, one can visit the Winter Park Farmer’s Market located at the old train depot, 200 W New England Ave. A few highlights of this market include the fresh lemonade stand with options for drinks like strawberry and raspberry lemonade and Arnold Palmers. Another is “Gingers”, a jelly stand with homemade preserves from classic grape to more unusual flavors like guava. Another highlight is the fresh kettle corn and also the large gardening section of the market.
Despite the smaller size, the Lake Eola Farmer’s Market is a Sunday morning tradition having been established in 1987 and moving to its current location in 2004. The market is pet friendly and perfect for a fun, low-key afternoon.