Farmers Market?
 

I've been looking for a real farmers market where you can buy locally grown produce, local eggs etc. The one at Sawgrass was disappointing but maybe this country girl is too picky. Havent had much luck with Google.

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There is one on Tuesdays on Rolling Acres road just north of Route 466. I have never been to it but have seen the signs.

I like the one on Saturdays at Brownwood but maybe that’s not what you’re looking for. To me a farmers market is a once a week thing where local vendors come out in booths and sell their produce, baked goods etc. I didn’t even know they had one at sawgrass? Unless you’re talking about the Villages Market inside Sawgrass, which is just a little market that I honestly can’t believe stays in business.

There is not a farmers market at Sawgrass. It is a retail store for locally grown produce.

Saturday morning at Brownwood is a farmers market. There are 3 or 4 produce vendors, a beef vendor, seafood vendor, etc.

Webster flea market, Mondays.
The Market of Marion, Friday-Saturday-Sunday

Thank you ! Yes that's exactly what I was looking for. Will check it out!

They close down the streets inside Brownwood and set up the booths. It’s from 9-1 every Saturday.

The produce at Brownwood is sub-par especially their tomatoes. The flea markets mentioned above have much better quality and more vendors to choose from.

Market of Marion 12888 US-441, Belleview, FL 34420

Depending on where you are in the Villages it might be a half hour drive.

The Market of Marion – a Flea and Farmers Market – A Flea and Farmers Market

Also there are little fruit & vegetable roadside stands, just outside of the Villages.

I was wondering when we would see the post slamming the produce at Brownwood

There are 3 or 4 produce vendors. They all source their produce differently. It is impossible that they all get bad tomatoes.

The baby bok choy when they have it at Brownwood on Saturdays is wonderful!

Have been to both of the above. They do sell a lot of produce and OK priced. They appear to be selling items that the regular grocers did not buy and ARE NOT farmers. All of their goods come out of boxes from big farmers.

Have not seen a true farmers market in an around TV and seriously believe that this is another thing of the past.

We go to the Brownwood one from time to time. One guy sells his hot sauce there, "Pearl Of The Antilles" that is the best I've ever had. Pretty pricy though at (as I recall) $16 for a five-ounce bottle, or two for $30. That's sort of SOP there though: you're not going to find any bargains insofar as price goes--all about "organic", I guess. My wife also buys Asian vegetables there. Again, pretty pricy but it beats driving to Ocala for the Asian market there that sells similar produce.

Speaking of Ocala; we went to a pretty good Farmer's Market there a few years back; locally sourced products (if you can believe the signs) at pretty reasonable prices. Probably a few such markets in that area. The advantage, IMO, is that the merchants there don't necessarily see dollar signs when they think "Villagers" so you're more apt to find actual bargains.

LOL a farm of any size will put their produce in boxes for transport & they reuse the boxes. What is the sign of a farmer burlap bags? If I had a bumper crop of rhubarb I would definitely ask Publix for a box to put it in.

Well, those boxes say “grown on a big farm”.

I was searching around TV area for Community Supported Agriculture farms.

Found this farm fairly close to TV. Pasture Prime Family Farm. Beef, pork, poultry, eggs.

Home - Pasture Prime Family Farm LLC - Pasture Prime Family Farm LLC

Place an online order that you then pick up on Saturday mornings.

Correct. The vendors at the Flea markets get their produce from the wholesale markets in Tampa.

I love the Mercado at Spanish Springs on Saturdays.

VISIT Bountiful Farms,
 

Definitely visit Bountiful Farms in Lake Okahumpka on 33.
Family run Organic farm.
Open Tues thru Saturday
On Wednesdays, various outside vendors set up tents as well

if you want produce and goods grown by the seller try Osteen's Market in Summerfield.

Gino's Farm Stand opens across the street from a publix or winn dixie. I found it once whike driving around LOL can't find it again. He has a good country farm stand not a shiny city one. I know what you're looking for and you can find it but it is elusive.

Brown's Market on 301. Oxford---north of 466. Also O-Steen's in Summerfield off 476 (I think). They grow their own produce. It may be a bit of a drive for you but consider it an "adventure" of getting to know your area.

Agree. A lot of the produce at Brownwood is not even local and priced way too high.

I suspect very few at Brownwood are locally grown by the seller, seems more like they buy the produce, mark it up and sell it at the "farmer's market".

Bountiful Farms has quality organic products at a reasonable price. Noble Roots Farm in Eustis sells organically grown vegetables as well as grass fed beef and chicken. They also offer a CSA.

I never went to the one at Brownwood. I thought it was only for Farmers?

You are absolutely correct. Unfortunatlely not enough people in society value healthy food especially in The Villages. When you see the tractor trailers delivering to the restaurants in the bubble that will give you so much information. Food made in china...Organic farmers markets are a neccesity. You pay now-or you pay later. Try this site for a reference. Family Farms - LocalHarvest

Brownwood's farmers market is so overpriced. I compared their prices with Publix. Publix was cheaper!

Websters Flea Market
 

We went to Websters when we were there in January. I thought it was a great Farmer's Market and they also have a lot of other "Stuff" It's a little bit of a ride but well worth it.
Brownwood market is not bad and of course much closer.

Every farmers market I've been to is over priced.

Farmers Markets
 

I agree with you as I am also looking for local farmers market. What i have seen at the farmers market events in TV is produce vendors are getting from the state farmers market in Plant City, FL and then reselling at a higher price. While this is technically from farmers markets what i would like to see is local farms selling their food directly to us from their farms. I have driven around outside the villages and occasionally you will see hand made signs at driveways posting food for sale. This is probably the closest to true local produce you will find it's just hard finding them. It would be great if they would form a co-OP and come together to the squares.

Reading all the posts will give you some of the farms selling direct.

I think there is one in Bushnell which is a bit out in the country and not as overpriced.

Brown’s sells their own produce whatever is in season and also their own meat. They also have locally baked goods.

True Story-

Recently, (Outside of TV), I had been going a Farmers Mkt each week in Ocala.

I bought my Brusell sprouts from him, blanched and froze them... impressed that they were small and tender.

The next time I needed brussel Sprouts, I said to the Dunnellon farmer, "Why'd you let them get so big before picking them this time?"

He said, "Those are from Publix"

THAT'S IT FOR ME!!!

Try Bountiful Farms, 27314 County Rd 33, Okahumpka.
 

Bountiful Farms sells there own produce. On Wednesday there are a variety of vendors there and also a great bistro located under a huge live oak tree (reservations needed). There is also a nursery on the property with beautiful flowers and bushes etc for sale. You won't be disappointed.

There is a nice one in Mt. Dora every Sunday. I'm including a link for you. Then if the mood strikes you could go to one of their many nice restaurants and browse around their pretty little town.

Downtown Mount Dora Village Market - Go Mount Dora

Thank you again for all the recommendations! We did checkout Brownwood this morning and it was a fun looking at the stands. I agree pricey and "fresh perogies" from Illinois seemed like a stretch but did grab some honey and fresh bread...blueberries for 4.50 in a grocery store container did seem odd. Will have to venture out of "the bubble" and check out some of these places y'all mentioned!

Many of the produce vendors at the local “farmer” markets do actually grow their own produce. It is purchased from bigger outlets.