Long before Publix, Whole Foods, and definitely before the days of Amazon Prime, farmers would gather to showcase their fresh produce for the townspeople in true farm-to-table fashion. In fact, these kinds of markets date all the way back to Egypt over 5,000 years ago where farmers along the Nile would come together to sell their fresh produce, successfully paving the way for what we know today as farmers markets.
As Diane Kolopanas of 30A Farmers Market puts it, “This was the first grocery store.”
While the first farmers market in the United States opened in 1634 in Boston, the ones you’ll find along 30A and beyond are a bit newer to the scene.
NOTE: The 30A Farmers’ Market in Rosemary Beach and the Watersound Town Center Farmers’ Markets, Watersound Town Center, Watersound Origins will both be open simultaneously on Sundays, starting April 2nd and the Watersound Town Center Farmers’ Market will also have a Thursday market from June 1st-August 13th, 2023. All markets open from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
“We saw a need when we moved to the area back in 2012,” said Kolopanas. “The whole idea was to bring in a sense of community. We started with Rosemary Beach and expanded from there.” Using her background in event planning, she began reaching out to various farmers and vendors and the rest was history. They now have four year-round locations including Rosemary Beach, Grand Boulevard, and Niceville Saturday 9am-1pm and their newest location at the Watersound Town Center Pavilion on Saturdays 10am-2pm. Each market offers an array of everything from locally grown farm-fresh fruits and veggies, eggs, grass-fed chicken, pork, and beef to fresh local seafood, artisan breads and other homemade confections, pickles, salsas, jams and preserves, as well as fresh-cut flowers, honey, dog treats, CBD, and so much more.
Simply put, there’s a little something for everyone.
– Beachy Blooms
– Noli South Kombucha
– 30A Barks
– 30A Crab Cakes
– Weslowski Farms
– 30A Olive Oil
– Frost Lane Farms
– Vale of Paradise Mushrooms
– Register Family Bee Farm
– Willingham Seafood Company
– Moonpie Farms & Creamery
– Mano’s Healthy Mediterranean
– Hodges Family Farm
You’ll find some of these same vendors at the Seaside Farmers Market.
As it was in the past and as it is now, farmers markets are essential to daily life, offering locals the chance to learn all about sustainable farming and where our food comes from, along with the care and love that goes into it––from local farms to our very own tables.
In these family-oriented environments where you can enjoy the day and bring home delicious goods for the week, what more could you need?
Watersound Town Center Farmers’ Market
On the corner of 98 and Watersound Parkway comes the latest farmers market to enter the scene. In case you missed the October 2nd Grand Opening, have no fear, the Watersound Town Center Farmers Market is here to stay. Come on out to the outdoor pavilion (featuring loads of free parking!) every Sunday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. for an exciting lineup of produce, grass-fed meat, fresh Gulf seafood, take-home entrees, and appetizers, as well as local honey, eggs, dairy, jams, sauces, pickles, and artisan bread and pastries hot from the oven. Enjoy a cold-pressed, organic juice or locally roasted coffee as you peruse specialty items from local artists, designers, and more, and be sure to save room for some bites from their mouthwatering rotation of local food trucks. For all you Yoga lovers out there, bring your mat and join in for classes being offered during market hours on the green next to the pavilion along with other fun activities.
Looking for more locally farmed produce and goods? Head over to the Farm to Table Facebook page where you’ll find farm-fresh veggie boxes and delivery options from local farmers like Jenefer’s Garden, Freeport’s 311 Farmers Market, and more.
