Buy Homegrown Produce, Grass-Fed Beef, and Craft Beer at Bedner's Farm Market in Downtown Delray

"So many people were asking us to open a market further east, something that would be closer and more convenient for those living far from the farm," says Marie Bedner, operations manager for Bedner's Farm. 

So the Boynton Beach-based farm welcomed its second retail market in Delray Beach, the result of a growing customer demand for fresher produce closer to home. The outlet opened Wednesday, March 16, housed in new, bright-red stucco building in the heart of Delray Beach's Pineapple Grove district.

"The biggest demand was from Delray Beach residents," says Bedner. "So when we saw an opportunity to expand into the right space, we jumped on it."

Established in 1960 by founder Arthur Bedner, today Bedner's Farm Fresh Market stands as one of South Florida's first family-owned and -operated farms. The Boynton Beach farm is popular for its locally grown produce, including pick-your-own seasonal crops like strawberries, peppers, and tomatoes.

The new Delray Beach store is a slightly smaller version of the farm's main retail space on Lee Road in Boynton Beach but offers customers the same selection of produce picked fresh — and delivered daily — from the family's 80-acre Boynton Beach farm.

According to Marie Bedner, the new, 3,000-square-foot retail farmers' market offers a curated selection of the farm's organic fruits and vegetables. Right now, that includes golden squash, poblano peppers, bell peppers, eggplant, and corn.

Although much of the Delray Beach store's offerings will be sourced directly from Bedner's, customers will also be able to find a variety of other locally grown and locally manufactured products, adds Bedner, including herbs from Pontano Farm in Boynton Beach and raw honey from Loxahatchee-based McCoy's Sunny South Apiary. There's also a refrigerated case where you can find items like grass-fed and hormone-free meats and poultry as well as a large selection of craft beer.

Patrons looking for a quick and easy lunch can head to the soup and salad bar or choose from packaged sandwiches and snacks, while those shopping for the home (or dinner) will also be able to peruse the store's eclectic array of bottled wines and cheeses, a feature Bedner says will be similar to the selection available at the Boynton Beach retail market.

If you're hoping to see a Bedner's market closer to your home, voice your needs directly to the owners, adds Bedner. The Delray Beach store could be the first of many similar neighborhood markets.

"This new market will sort of be our test," says Bedner. "Our goal is to keep growing the Bedner's retails markets across the South Florida area and to become a bigger part of the local communities."

The Bedner's Farm retail market is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday (and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday) and is located at 381 NE Third Ave., Delray Beach. Bedner's Farm is located at 10066 Lee Road, Boynton Beach. Call 561-733-4590, or visit bedners.com.

Nicole Danna is a food writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on the BPB New Times Food & Drink Instagram.