FRESH FINDS AND FUN: A FARMERS MARKET ADVENTURE

Farmers markets… turns out, there are way more around here than I ever realized. This month, I decided to dive in. Call it therapy, call it an excuse to eat fresher food, call it curiosity. I just wanted to see what was out there.

My first push to check out the farmers market came from something a lot more personal. I’ve been dealing with psoriasis for about 20 years. I’ve tried it all—creams, ointments, prescriptions, you name it. Some helped a little, but most felt like a band-aid on a bigger problem. I wanted real results. The more I researched, the more one thing kept coming up: my diet. Not what I was putting on my skin, but what I was putting in my body. That realization hit me hard—like a gut punch, literally.

So I decided to try eating cleaner: less sugar, less processed junk, and more real food. That’s what led Tiffany and me straight to the farmers markets. And honestly, it’s been an eye-opening adventure.

We started small at the Saturday market in Norwood’s parking lot in New Smyrna Beach. It’s the smallest one we went to, but packed with great vendors. I grabbed crab cakes from Old Shucker’s Maryland-Style Crabcakes; they were meaty, flavorful, and even came with cooking instructions. That’s my kind of simple. Then I stopped at Armand the Swiss Baker’s bread truck and picked up his fresh baked bread with no added sugar. The smell alone was worth the stop.

But the best part? Two kids running a little stand with lemonade and scones. It was hot, so of course we stopped. Tiffany asked what they were saving up for, and the boy replied, “Keep a little for us, put the rest toward college.” Smart kid. Meanwhile, I’m standing there thinking, “Buddy, I just now figured out how to save for groceries.”

That day, I put those crab cakes to good use and made crab cake eggs Benedict at home and served it over the fresh loaf of bread we just scored (pictured below). Five stars, highly recommended.

Then we made our way to the Canal Street Farmers Market, set up in front of City Hall on Sams Avenue. Running since 1991, it’s held every Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon and has a little bit of everything. Fresh produce piled high, including avocados, heirloom tomatoes, and tri-colored carrots, was just the start. There was seafood, jewelry, artwork, coffee—you name it. Steel drums played in the background, giving the whole place a laidback vibe. Tiffany grabbed an iced latte while I wandered off to check out the vendors.

I found my way right to Shyyandaddy’s Hot Sauce. I love hot sauce, but this was a whole new level. I sampled product after product like it was some kind of spicy obstacle course and walked away with Mojo Supernova and Trinidad Scorpion. Both amazing, both definitely capable of making you sweat through your shirt.

Next stop: Mushroom Manifest, where Jason, the owner, gave me a crash course on mushrooms I never even knew existed. I grabbed some pink oyster mushrooms, which he said, if prepared properly, would taste like scallops. His tip? Cook them dry first to let the moisture out, then finish with butter. I followed his instructions—and yep—they tasted just like scallops. Mind blown!

I also snagged microgreens, radish and sunflower sprouts, from Michael’s Greens Microgreens, which basically ended up on everything I ate all week. And, of course, I couldn’t resist the fresh buffalo mozzarella from the Mozzarella Lady. Let’s just say it didn’t last long at our house.

On Thursdays, you can head to the Ormond Beach Farmers Market by the library right off Granada. We did, and the first thing I did was grab a basket and load up at Frog Song Organics. My haul was: pears, spinach, kale, turmeric, ginger, limes, and lemons. Everything was so fresh and colorful, and they let you try before you buy. Always dangerous for me. We wandered around and found some really great finds.

We purchased an incredibly fresh marinara sauce from Uncle Nick’s that literally elevated our simple pasta dish and proved within the first bite what set it apart from any store-bought brand available. Next, we stopped at the Stamper Cheese Company tent and loaded up on cheesy jokes, Wisconsin cheese curds, and string cheese (my personal weakness).

Tiffany had her eye on the fresh pita from Jerusalem Street Food from the moment we arrived, so we grabbed that and some delicious hummus from Annie & Leo’s Creations as well. Sweets are something that I really enjoy, but I am trying to stay away from them, so when we found Honest Batch Cottage Bakery, I was ready to indulge in the Very Berry Pop Tart that was sugar- and gluten-free! Safe to say, we didn’t leave hungry.

Our plan was to hit the Port Orange Green Market at the Pavilion, which runs every Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., but unfortunately we got rained out. That’s Florida for you.

So far, we’ve hit three markets, and that’s just scratching the surface of what’s out there. Each one has been more than a shopping trip—it’s an experience. You meet the people behind the food, try things you never would’ve thought to try, and if you’re lucky, you get a cup of lemonade from kids already planning for college.

For me, the biggest win has been how much better I feel. I’m not magically healed, but eating cleaner has given me more energy, fewer flare-ups, and has gotten me back in the kitchen doing what I love—cooking for Tiffany and my family.

Farmers markets aren’t just about food. They’re about community, health, and maybe even second chances. So if you see me wandering around one with bread under one arm and hot sauce in the other, just know I’m doing my best to eat my way to better health. We’ve put together a handy guide to local farmers markets to help you explore what’s nearby.

Here’s to happy and healthy eating!

Bobby G, Out.

FARMER MARKETS

Volusia County Farmers’ Market

• Address: 3150 East New York Avenue, DeLand (Volusia Fairgrounds)
• Open every Wednesday, 7 AM – 2 PM

Artisan Alley Farmers’ Market

• Address: 104 Artisan Alley, DeLand
• Open every Friday, 6 – 9 PM

Ormond Beach Farmers’ Market

• Address: 22 S. Beach St, Ormond Beach (City Hall Plaza)
• Open every Thursday, 8 AM – 1 PM

Deltona Public Market

• Address: 1649 Providence Blvd., Deltona (Deltona United Church of Christ)
• Open every Saturday, 9 AM – 2 PM

New Smyrna Farmers’ Market

• Address: Sams Avenue, New Smyrna Beach (Old Fort Park and City Hall)
• Open every Saturday, 7 AM – 12:30 PM

New Smyrna Market at Norwood’s

• Address: 400 E 2nd Avenue, New Smyrna Beach
• Open every Saturday, 8 AM – 1 PM

Edgewater Farmers’ Market

• Address: Turgot and US 1, Edgewater
• Open every Saturday, 8 AM – 2 PM

City Island Farmers’ Market

• Address: 105 E Magnolia Drive, Daytona Beach (City Island)
• Open every Saturday, 8 AM – 1 PM

DeLand Flea Market

• Address: 921 S Woodland Blvd, DeLand
• Open every Saturday and Sunday

Oak Hill Flea Market

• Address: 351 US 1, Oak Hill
• Open every Saturday and Sunday, 7 AM – 2 PM

DeBary Market

• Address: Saxon Blvd and N Highway 17/92 (Gateway Center for the Arts)
• Open every Saturday, 8 AM – 1 PM

Orange City Farmers’ Market

• Address: E Graves Ave and N Highway 17/92 (Dickenson Park)
• Open every Friday, 8 AM – 1 PM

Port Orange Green Market at the Pavilion

• Address: 5501 S Williamson Blvd, Port Orange
• Open every Friday, 8 AM – 1 PM

Holly Hill Public Market

• Address: 101 2nd Street, Holly Hill
• Open every Friday, 4 – 9 PM

Lake Helen Market in the Park

• Address: 437 N Lakeview Drive, Lake Helen (Blake Park)
• Open every Saturday, 8 AM – 12 PM