[Joe_Ryder]

Specifically the fresh fruit and veggies.

Right now I live in CA and am somewhat spoiled by the year 'round availability of just about anything you want. I'm assuming that since Florida can grow lumber faster than my front yard can grow weeds, the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables is pretty good.???

[Lilybeans]

Well, interestingly enough, fresh fruits and vegetables are available year round in every part of the United States.

[Tarastomsgirl]

Originally Posted by Lilybeans

Well, interestingly enough, fresh fruits and vegetables are available year round in every part of the United States.

Actually not really true, I lived in SWFL and had an abundance of fruits veggies etc to choose from year round all the time. When I moved up to NH I found it VERY hard to find half of what I had access too in Fla, esp this winter. Days I would go in and there would be no blueberries, I have yet to see any Fl oranges, pineapples can't always be found. You'd be surprised actually. I actually was having a convo with my husband the other day about how I missed being able to get anything I wanted in Fla in January as opposed to here.. Sometimes it depends on weather too. In Fla (with exceptions of hurricanes) all stores are easily accessable. Here up north if we get a big snow storm or something the trucks can't all get through esp cause they're terrible at plowing the roads in my town so you notice not everything is there that should be... Also SWFL has some fruit stands like Temple Citrus where you can get fresh fruits and veggies.. When i was a child there was an abundance of you pick it farms but I can't recall any of those anymore.

[121804]

To reply to the QUESTION....

It depends on what you are looking for....are you wanting to grow or buy?

There are several things you can grow in SWFL but they are very dependent on the temp which is generally favorable for specific fruits.

Depends on where you live in SWFL in regards to things like fruit/veggie stands.

There is a Whole Foods Market in FT Myers.

I did not see many fruit/veg stands b/w Port Charlotte & Fort Myers, but I am sure they are there somewhere; probably more off the beaten path. I did see a few people selling fruits from the back of their truck along 17.

Like someone else stated, if you are going to the grocery store, like anywhere else in the US, it's the same pickins'...just like everywhere else though, certain items are only available at certain times.

[TouchOfWhimsy]

I am from CT, and there is definitely much more fresh fruit and veggie selection here in SWFL. There is a produce stand in Port Charlotte on Rt. 776, and if you know where to look, you can find people selling farm-fresh produce on the side of the road. I go to a lady who is right over the line going into Lake Suzy, who sells fresh-picked veggies. The prices at these stands are much lower than at the grocery store, and the quality is much better. I have never been to California, but I think you will be pleased with the variety and freshness of the produce available year round.

[Tarastomsgirl]

[quote=121804;3025741]To reply to the QUESTION....

QUOTE]

i do believe we all answered the question in our own way Incomparison with other parts of the country YES swfl has a wonderful and large selection of fruits and veggies

[whippersnapper]

There are farmer's markets with all sorts of fruits and veggies. I know of markets on 2 days of the week down in Lee county. I always get the best grapes!

[Joe_Ryder]

Originally Posted by Lilybeans

Well, interestingly enough, fresh fruits and vegetables are available year round in every part of the United States.

Having spent last winter in Minnesota, I can assure you that's not true. I've never considered frozen and mummified oranges fresh.

[Tarastomsgirl]

Originally Posted by Joe_Ryder

Having spent last winter in Minnesota, I can assure you that's not true. I've never considered frozen and mummified oranges fresh.

lol IF they make it there, then you can take it home and defrost it

[mikey2]

Like others have said, the fresh fruit stands are great.

There is one stand on Rte 17 near Arcadia that is run by a guy named Pablo... who is practically an institution down here.
He does a heck of a business... there is always a few car there whenever I drive by, and he's got a big selection of all kinds of fruits and vegetables.

Across the street from Pablo's is an orange grove. I just stopped there last week and bought a big bag of fresh oranges (must have been 10lbs for $3.00). Then the guy says.."you can have 2 bags for $5.00".

I eat fresh fruit every day down here.

Mikey