Winter Garden Farmers Market: A Marvelous Menagerie of Florida’s Best Goodies!
There are some pretty cool things to do in Orlando, Florida, but none of them scream “Autumn Vibes!” as loudly as the Winter Garden Farmers Market! In 2020, Orlando Family even declared it the Best of the Best.
In celebration of National Farmers Week, vendors flock to this market, sharing a harvest of the freshest fruits and vegetables you’ll find anywhere in Florida. In addition to National Farmers Week, you can also shop to your heart’s content every Saturday!
Of course, there are plenty of other farmer’s markets throughout Florida, but none of them quite live up to Winter Garden! American Farmland Trust has even declared it the best farmers market in Florida and the best national farmers market!
Winter Garden Farmers Market: Fruits, Veggies, & More!
While there is a bountiful abundance of fruits and vegetables, you’ll also find so much more at this charming market! Vendors sell beautiful flowers, garden herbs, and other plants that they’ve grown and nurtured with plenty of tender love and care. (I seriously think the Winter Garden growers stole some insider secrets from EPCOT’s greenhouses because their produce is AMAZING – even if it’s not Mickey-shaped!)
If veggies sound too healthy for your sweet tooth, fear not! Winter Garden hosts several vendors who specialize in freshly baked goods. The local food and drinks offered here are treats you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else, so Winter Garden is definitely a unique experience you don’t want to miss. Every day is a harvest festival here!
Aside from the food and drinks, there are also vendors who sell their own handmade crafts. (And if you’re like me, you can’t resist a good trinket!) Whenever you purchase a craft – be it to fulfill your own whimsy or as a great gift for friends and family – you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing you helped support a local artist.
Depending on the week, you may even find some of Orlando’s most popular food trucks at the farmer’s market. Some local favorites to look out for include Boca Fresca and Over Rice.
Yearly Events at Winter Garden Farmers Market
Every year, the farmers market holds regular events, hosting art exhibits, Fridays on the Plaza, the Winter Garden Fall Heritage & Music Festival, Health & Harvest Festival, the Donut Dash 5K Run/Walk, and – if you visit close to the right holiday – you might even catch sight of a wild Easter Bunny or Santa Claus!
If celebrating Halloween is more your style, make it a point to visit the farmers market every October. (Which is the ultimate farmers market season anyway!!) Even more, vendors usually come to the market during Spooky Season, along with a kid’s market that sells child-friendly food. There’s a reason October is also called “Outdoor Dining Month” at Winter Garden! Most importantly, you’ll have a huge selection of pumpkins in every shape and size, and color.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
The History of Winter Garden
Winter Garden holds an important place in the area’s history. It’s considered West Orange County’s cultural and agricultural capital. The downtown section of Winter Garden even has a spot in the National Registry of Historic Places!
Most people don’t know that Winter Garden was originally a citrus town, which makes it the perfect place to hold a farmer’s market. Starting in the 1850s, settlers adopted Winter Garden as their home, mainly because of its fertile land. (Its location next to Lake Apopka didn’t hurt either.)
Not only did the new residents grow citrus, but they also grew vegetables. Many residents owned their own groves, and the rest worked in them. The growing citrus crops also grew Winter Garden into the bustling commercial district it is today.
The Winter Garden Farmers Market has helped countless residents launch their own successful businesses. Some of the vendors who started off at the farmers market and blossomed into their own locations downtown include the Piccolo Coffee Co., Tres Amigos, Wildflower Beauty by Jessica, and Benji’s Donuts.
And now that the farmers market is so well established, some of the town’s most successful businesses have become farmers market vendors, like The Bulk Pantry and Deli Downtown. It’s also the place where most local restaurant owners go for their ingredients. Possible excuse for a restaurant-themed Central Florida road trip? You bet!
Attractions Near Winter Garden
Downtown Winter Garden is the best place in Florida to indulge in amazing restaurants and shops. They make up the famous West Orange Trail that spans 250 miles through Central Florida.
Even after you’ve explored the Winter Garden Farmers Market, you’re not done yet.
Not too far away is the Plant Street Market. The short walk it takes to get there is well worth it. Considered an artisan market, Plant Street is the place to buy handmade gifts and Florida’s best organic foods.
If you’re ready to imbibe, make sure you visit the Crooked Can Brewing Company. Here you can enjoy a freshly brewed beer while taking in live entertainment. And if you have man’s best friend accompanying you, the outdoor patio welcomes you and your furry friend!
But even if you don’t want to go that far, you’ll appreciate the Monarch Butterfly Sculpture Park, which is right next to the farmers market. It’s a great place to get off your feet, especially if you’re like me, and take the motto “shop till you drop” to heart! The huge, namesake butterfly sculpture – of the best butterfly species, I might add – is a great place for a photo opp, or you can just relax on a bench while you take in the sights and scents around you. If you’re lucky, you might even see a real monarch flutter by!
(Shameless monarch conservation alert! As you may know, these beautiful butterflies are in sharp decline, but by planting a bit of milkweed, you can help them get back up on all 6 feet! The butterflies thank you, and I do, too!)
Just a little further away is Centennial Plaza. If you make your way here, enjoy the burbling of the plaza’s renaissance fountain which is covered in mesmerizing mosaic tile. The sound of the flowing water makes Centennial Plaza one of the most relaxing places to be. While you relax, the kiddos can discover the fun of an interactive fountain. (But if you want to join in, we certainly won’t judge!)
Why Visit The Winter Garden Farmer’s Market?
This past June, Winter Garden became a teenager! 13 years is a good run for a farmers market, and there’s a reason for its continued success. For starters, it’s simply the perfect way to spend a Saturday! And since Florida weather is known for sunshine, this wonderful market runs all year long. Whether you’re a local or enjoying a Florida vacation, the Winter Garden Farmers Market is not to be missed!
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