Farmers market/organic produce in Ocala area???? (Gainesville, Sarasota: houses, buying)

[kshe95girl]

Why, oh why is it impossible to have either of these in the Ocala area? I know there used to be a farmers market on the Square, but the idiots in charge held it on Thursdays.
Anyone in the area have any ideas or knowledge? I am sick of having to drive to Gainesville to their farmers market and the organic grocer.
Please dont suggest Mother Earth, their produce is nasty and not local!

[SouthernBelle3]

Local organic produce is seasonal. April-June and Sep-Oct are the growing seasons in Central Florida for most crops. Maybe watermelon in July. Local farmers markets have vendors that sell produce and their source is the same as the large supermarkets. There are wholesale warehouses that produce is purchased at. U picks are good for buying fresh produce when in season. Otherwise, your organic section at the local supermarket is as good as any. Organic farming is not easy in Florida given the disease and insect pressure in the hot humid climate.

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelle3

Local organic produce is seasonal. April-June and Sep-Oct are the growing seasons in Central Florida for most crops. Maybe watermelon in July. Local farmers markets have vendors that sell produce and their source is the same as the large supermarkets. There are wholesale warehouses that produce is purchased at. U picks are good for buying fresh produce when in season. Otherwise, your organic section at the local supermarket is as good as any. Organic farming is not easy in Florida given the disease and insect pressure in the hot humid climate.

Thanks, aware of all this, I do grow some of my own stuff, organically of course.
I just wondered why the slow food movement has yet to catch on, there is not much of an organic selection here, and it is all trucked in from distant states.... I suppose i am envious of the larger cities that have vibrant, locally grown stuff

[SouthernBelle3]

try this website for organic food grown in Florida. FOGInfo.org : Home

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelle3

try this website for organic food grown in Florida. FOGInfo.org : Home

Thanks, looks like it has a lot of goodies on it! hope you all are staying warm up your way, Bunnell, isnt it? Pretty place!

[lillyinthewater]

Originally Posted by kshe95girl

Thanks, aware of all this, I do grow some of my own stuff, organically of course.
I just wondered why the slow food movement has yet to catch on, there is not much of an organic selection here, and it is all trucked in from distant states.... I suppose i am envious of the larger cities that have vibrant, locally grown stuff

I too can't stand the fact that Florida is so slow to offer organic. I understand how hard it is to conquer the insect issue here. I could actually use any advice. I have a hard time growing anything but butterly attractig weeds! I haven't found a true organic farmer's market anywhere in central FL other than the organic sections in the main grocery stores. Looks to me like the sunshine state will be the last state to go healthy.

[Gatornation]

Ocala isn't exactly a progressive place. I'm not surprised at all you are having a hard time finding it there.

[kshe95girl]

it really doesnt matter whether its progressive or not, its a fairly agicultural area, and I know there is organic produce being grown here, so where is it going?

[sunrico90]

See link: FOGInfo.org : Home
Florida Certified Organic Growers & Consumers is a non-profit organization which provides an Organic Certification Program.

[lillyinthewater]

Thanks to everyone for replying. Still, we lack an organic farmer's market in central Florida. I hear there is one in Sarasota. We also don't have a Super-Target or any competition to WalMart - that is really sad. But that's another story.