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While farmers markets are a certain sign of spring in
South Florida, Gardner's Farmers Market in Pinecrest kicks it up a
notch with the addition of celebrity chefs, musical entertainment,
special guests, clowns and face painting for kids, popcorn, cotton
candy, even puppies and kittens ready for adoption.
Heirloom tomatoes - delicious and rare varieties that are unavailable
commercially - are one of the featured attractions of the Gardner's
Market Annual Farmers Market, held at the Pinecrest store every Sunday
through April.
Gardner's is a standout among other farmers markets
for its commitment to exclusively showcase produce from local growers.
Gardner's annual Farmers Market lets residents enjoy the rich bounty
of South Florida's homegrown produce, including tropical plants and
flowers.
"We want people to see the incredible bounty that
can be found in our own backyards, things that can only be experienced
in South Florida," said Susie Franco, Gardner's director of
catering sales.
Through April, Gardner's will hold its annual Farmers
Market at the store's Pinecrest location, 8287 SW 124th Street, Sunday
from 9 am to 1 pm. The parking lot is covered with colorful tents and
more than 20 local farmers and purveyors set out their best produce
and products, from freshly-squeezed orange juice to jams made from
tropical fruits.
"This year we are showcasing heirloom tomatoes in
all flavors, colors and sizes," Franco said. "Heirloom
tomatoes are varieties that are no longer produced
commercially. They are harder to grow, but they are
extraordinarily rich in flavor and few people have the opportunity to
try them."
The produce for sale at the market includes eggplant,
corn, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, lettuce, strawberries, onions,
mushrooms, citrus, juices, fruit and much more. There are locally
produced honeys, homemade pesto sauces and pastas made from locally
grown ingredients, a variety of exotic dried mushrooms, fresh flowers
and herbs.
All proceeds from sales go directly to the
participating farmers.
"We're trying to expose our community to an
endangered industry - local farming," Franco added.
The Farmers Market provides a variety of family
entertainment, and special South Florida celebrity guest chefs give
cooking demonstrations and sign copies of their latest cookbooks.
"Many of our local chefs have national and
international reputations, yet they are not widely known in their own
hometown," Franco said. "Our Farmers Market gives people an
opportunity to see them in action and have fun learning some of their
cooking secrets!"
Future celebrity chef appearances include:
MARCH 19 Cindy Hutson from
Ortinique on the Mile
MARCH 26 Joe Zuoco from Anacapri
APRIL 9 Jason Pepin from P.F. Chang's China Bistro
Three pioneer brothers in the grocery industry founded
Gardner's Market in 1912 in North Miami. Today, Gardner's is operated
by the third generation of the same family, with stores in four South
Florida neighborhoods -- Pinecrest, South Miami, Brickell Key and
Ocean Reef.
"Gardner's is constantly expanding our offerings
to meet the needs of our community and to continue our leadership in
food service," said Elizabeth Gardner Adams, one of Gardner's
owners.
For more information about Gardner's Farmers Market,
please call 305-255-3645.
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