????? Have the vendors reopen at the Sumter center?
I'm looking to buy one of those lighted address signs for the house.

I used to get a listing of organic vegetables and fruits from an organization over the internet. I suggest you try to Google organic farms as there is definitely one or two associations with large listings across the country and I'm sure Florida has many small farms. Dirty dog organics on Lewis road is currently closed because they had an infestation that ate up all of their plants this year but I'm sure they'll be open next. I don't think they are cheap because they're organic and I haven't seen any bulk prices there.

[QUOTE=Topspinmo;1959068]You may find they taste differently down here. Some aren’t worth buying IMO.

Yes, I read they are open Tu Wed and Thurs the first week of each month until around Sep, when a second week (I forgot which) of each month will be added. I forget which square it is at on which night.

welcome guys!
we're from oregon and have been here less than a year. you're going to love it here.
we do juices/smoothies daily, but I havent found organic produce in bulk. We do the Gainesville/Tampa trip per month for their whole foods/trader joe's. Gainesville is closer but I prefer Tampa. More things to do/see in Tampa.

hope to see you around.
cheers!

Marion Market
 

The Marion Market offers LOTS of vegetables every weekend.

See if Villages Grown will sell to you in bulk

Taste-most of what we buy are commercial fruits and vegetables. They are chosen not for taste but for high yield, good shipping and easy harvest. Most of what we eat is so far removed from natural that we would not likely recognize the natural varieties.

Strawberries. I used to grow a variety called Guardian. I think you can still buy plants.
They do not sell well because people want to buy the big pretty, tasteless, ones. Not sure if guardian will grow in our climate or that the birds, fungus, insects etc you allow you to get any fruit.

All fruits are local. Oregon? I expect if you read the shipping boxes, you will find Apples and Pears from Oregon or New York. Oranges, I think Florida oranges and grapefruits are cheaper in New York than in Florida. Blueberries-I am growing them. They are not the same varieties as up north. The organic, acidic soil they need? We have sandy, clay with a PH between 7-8. The birds? Around here they have no class they do not even wait for them to ripen to pick the bushes clean of fruit.

ALDI grocery store claims to be all organic/local. I get all my juicing vegs/fruit there at a fraction of price of anywhere. Always fresh & healthy stuff!

And, I too, am from WA state (Poulsbo, actually)! 😊

Florida grown citrus that I'm able to find is only available at the orchards. Everything else comes out of California and is for the most part not near as good for eating or juicing as Florida grown and picked ripe. As far as veggies other recommendations have been OK. Haven't seen any recommendations for the Villages Grown

you'll need to buy where the flea mkt stands buy theirs,,, otheer'n that bargain w/publix etc oranges might be fairly easy
We are fairly new to the villages having recently moved here from Washington State.
We are really into juicing and used to be able to buy fruits and vegetables in bulk and would like to continue doing so here.
Are there any stores in the area that sell fruits/ vegetables in bulk?
Thanks
Julie[/QUOTE]