Savor the season as we head into blueberry and peach crop picking time with sweet corn just around the corner! With Florida's year-round growing season you can find fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and locally farmed foods at local Fresh Markets and U-Pick Farms all year. We have shopped, picked and tasted fresh produce with our families, friends, kids, grandmas and grandpas at several markets and u-pick farms in the area; we'd like to share our favorite spots in Tampa Bay to buy local, buy fresh, and support local farming as we assist you in connecting to your community so you can Veg Out at the Best Fresh Markets and U-Pick Farms in Tampa Bay!
Where to Veg Out at the Best Fresh Markets and U-Pick Farms around Tampa Bay
Best Fresh Markets in Tampa Bay
North
Fresh, Local & Lively the North Tampa Fresh Market at the Carrollwood Cultural Center is held on the second Saturday of each month year round from 10 am-2 pm. This Carrollwood fresh market supports 70 – 100 vendors offering artwork, jewelry, fresh food, vegetables, hand made items and more on a beautiful piece of property. Shop small under the oaks at the North Tampa Fresh Market
North Tampa Market @ Carrollwood Cultural
North Tampa Market @ Carrollwood Cultural
East
Ybor City Fresh Market - The largest year-round outdoor fresh market in the Tampa Bay Area is located in historic Ybor City at Centennial Park . Meet artists, find unique gifts and items for your home and buy locally produced gourmet foods as you shop local and shop shop small rain or shine at the Ybor City Saturday Fresh Market. You can buy locally grown plants and vegetables, fresh baked breads, honey, cigars, gifts, art, jewelry, woodworking, bath & body products, candles and more from October to April every Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm and May to September from 9 am to 1 pm. Street parking is free and pets are welcome! Hint: Find Artist Dave and see what the man can do with pine needles, it will blow your mind!
South
The Downtown Tampa Weekly Fresh Market happens every Thursday, from noon - 6 pm in Lykes Gaslight Square Park @ 410 N. Franklin Street from October through May. Find fresh from the farm produce and locally made foods , organic, vegan and gluten free foods, gourmet spices, sauces, artisan cheeses, hand-made arts and crafts. Enjoy live music and bring your pets to this unique downtown fresh market. Hint: Try the blueberry honey!
West
Hyde Park Village First Sundays of the month, year round from 10 am-3 pm
Centered in an open-air retail and entertainment village in the Hyde Park district of South Tampa the Hyde Park Village Fresh Market attracts approximately 50-75 vendors offering handmade crafts, vegetables, food and music including soaps so pretty they look good enough to eat, fresh bread, unique one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry and more. Hint: Don't miss the grilled cheese tent! Check their calendar for additional events and if you want to do a little shopping while at the Village follow the link to the Hyde Park Village website.
Cupping Cakes at Hyde Park Village Market
Tidal Boar Ginger Bear @Hyde Park Village
Best U-Pick Farms in Tampa Bay
Hints:
- Take cash
- Wear Sunscreen
- Wear a hat
- Check to see if you need to bring containers or if they supply them
- Always call ahead before heading out to any farm to pick
The Blueberry Farm Plant City U-Pick Blueberries will be ready soon from this 5th Generation Family Farm (Ignore the "Season's Over" message on the site it is from last year). This U-Pick farm is incredibly family-friendly, so lube up the kids with sunscreen, grab hats and head out the door to 3903 Heathcoe Rd, Plant City, FL 33567. They supply the bucket you supply the labor. Sign-up on their website as a Friend of The Farm and they will let you know when it's time to come. Should be in the next few weeks! Located about 30 minutes from Tampa
Berry Bay Farms Wimauma Closed in April they reopen in May for U-Pick corn! Stay in the loop through their Face Book Page. They let you know when they are open for picking and when they are closed, what crops are available and more. At Berry Bay U-Pick farm you can pick onions, strawberries, sweet corn, cucumbers, peas and more. Bring containers and find Berry Bay at 5175 Bonita Dr in Wimauma, FL Located approx 40 minutes from Tampa
Big Bear Farms Plant City is an Organic U-Pick farm! Family owned and operated, Big Bear farms beans, blueberries, broad beans, cabbage, carrots, collards, sweet corn, eggplant, lettuces, mustard greens, okra, onions, peas, peppers, spinach, summer squash, tomatoes, turnips, and more. Find them at 7606 Kinard Road, Plant City, FL 33565. Days and hours vary with the season; Check their site website or call for current days and times. U-Pick Crops are usually available in March, April, May, June, July, October, November, December. They are certified organic for all crops operating under the strict rules of the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) they are certified by Quality Certification Services (QCS). Unlike many farms that claim to be organic Big Bear is authentically organic! This farm supplies the commercial market with blueberries and enjoys being able to do the same for your family.
Dooley Groves Ruskin Do you love citrus? If so, THIS is the U-Pick place for you! Don't feel like picking, you can buy too. Florida’s Largest U-Pick Honeybell Grove won't have Honeybells until January but Ortaniques are in and cost only $1.69 per pound! What is an Ortanique? It is a cross between and Orange and a Tangerine, and yes, they are unique! We have tried them and they are sweet, tart and delicious! Don't miss this unique U-Pick treat!
Keel and Curley Winery, U-Pick Blueberry, Blackberry and Peach Farm. It's almost here! The Blueberry Festival Keel & Curley 9th Annual April 29th thru May 1st. U-Pick blueberries between 7 am and 5 pm, enjoy live entertainment, food vendors, eat, drink, buy wines and craft beers from Two Henry's Brewery, it's a full day's fun at Keel & Curley during the Blueberry Festival! Bigger and better every year, plan on stopping by and look for us, we will be there!
The Southern Peach Company Lithia is a locally owned and operated sweet family u-pick farm offering tasty and juicy peaches and peach products! HINT: BUY their peach butter! The peaches will be ready in mid-May, mark your calendars today and get ready to have a great time picking while enjoying a true southern experience!
Lettuce know where you like to veg-out and pick-your-own fruits, vegetables and herbs and we will add it to the Veg Out at the Best Fresh Markets and U-Pick Farms in Tampa Bay list. Leave your comments below after visiting one of our favorite U-Pick and Fresh Market locations. We encourage everyone to #buylocal #buyfresh and shop small at #tampabaymarkets and #Upickfarms
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