Boca Raton—Grab your shopping bags and head on over to the Boca Raton GreenMarket scheduled for each Saturday beginning October 6, 2012, through April 27, 2013, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Now in its 16th year of operation, the Market takes place in the Monument Piazza, on the NE corner of the intersection of S Federal Highway and SE Mizner Blvd, at the south end of Royal Palm Place. The location at the intersection of South Federal Highway and South Mizner Boulevard provides easy access and visibility to the thousands of shoppers who frequent the market throughout the season. Plenty of parking is available adjacent to the GreenMarket vendor site.
As with all markets operating in the Palm Beach County area, Boca’s GreenMarket has continually been dedicated to local food production and consumption….produce that travels from farm direct to the dining table……and through the process supporting the Florida agricultural industry and the economy of our south Florida area. Each Saturday, fresh locally-grown fruits and vegetables as they become available in their individual growing seasons—along with fresh herbs, soaps & lotions, fresh eggs, freshly-squeezed juices, potted orchids, ocean shells, fresh cut flowers, assorted variety of plants, fresh baked goods, prepared foods, oils & vinegars, gourmet foods, hydroponic and organic foods, fresh fish and seafood, fresh pasta, doggie treats —are available for purchase. Several of the vendors have participated since the Market began in 1996, with a few new vendors joining each year. Community service organizations are also on hand from time to time to share information or to promote a special group project.
As consumers take a closer look at the food they put on their tables, the growth in markets has been fueled by this public awareness as to how to eat better, wanting to know where their food is grown and who grew it. The Boca Raton GreenMarket offers that answer! As for locally-grown produce, once people taste what’s available at the farmers’ markets—freshly-picked, good-tasting, seasonal produce from the farmers who grow it, they realize that “nothing substitutes for a vine-ripened, freshly-picked tomato, or any other locally-grown fruit or veggie!!”
Best of all, Boca’s GreenMarket has become ‘thee’ place to visit on Saturday mornings—-where friends, including the family pup, come together for a quick cup of fresh coffee and where friends depart with shopping bags filled with the freshest of produce—all taking place in a relaxed outdoor market setting in the heart of beautiful downtown Boca Raton. Several special activities, promotions and customer giveaways are planned at various times throughout the Market season. Live music takes place on the Piazza Stage from 10am to Noon. Featured on October 6 at 10am will be music by the Sheffield Brothers performing with the BILL BAND.
The Boca Raton GreenMarket is supported by The Boca Raton Tribune, Florida Health & Chiropractic Medicine, Aurora Nurses Home Health Care, Inc., Investments Limited, Palm Beach County, Happy Day Creations, and “FRESH from FLORIDA,” a promotional campaign of Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. A portion of vendor proceeds will benefit P.R.O.P.E.L. (People Reaching Out To Provide Education and Leadership), a not-for-profit organization serving the youth of South Palm Beach and North Broward Counties.
For information about the Boca Raton GreenMarket or to participate, please call the Market office at (561) 299-8684 or email elilly707@aol.com.