Farmer's Markets in Broward and Palm Beach: What's Staying Open and What's Closing This Summer

As June approaches and farmer’s market enthusiasts plan on buying fresh produce for National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable month, only some markets will remain open during the summer months.

Emily Lilly, founder and manager of the Boca Raton GreenMarket which runs October through May, attributes the market’s decision to close for the summer to two factors: Northern visitors leaving town and the growing season in Florida.

“We get the regulars from the area, from the community at large and then the numbers swell when the snowbirds come because they’re used to green markets up North,” Lilly said.

Opening year-round is not an option for the market since it caters to Florida-grown produce and must run according to the growing season.

“Because the growing season is over in May, most people don’t come get the fresh produce because it’s not there,” she said. “There’s limited produce in the summertime.”

Jerry Kugel, a manager of Plantation Farmer’s Market which stays open all year, says that while the summer months are a bit slower, the market still supports itself with local visitors.

“That market we’ve had for about 5 years, so it’s pretty strong year-round,” he said.

The Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Farmer’s Market, which Kugel is also a manager for, is following in the Plantation market’s footsteps.

While it will be closing at the end of June for the summer, it will be open year-round beginning in September when it re-opens.

Originally, it was unclear whether the market could support itself during the summer. According to Kugel, while 50 to 60 percent of the market’s customers consist of visitors and Northerners, it has shown enough success to support the decision to keep it open year-round beginning in September.

“Results this year showed it could support itself because we get so many visitors, so next year it will be year round,” Kugel said.

Follow the jump for farmer’s markets remaining open for Summer 2014…

NOTE: This post was first published in May of 2014. All listing information is subject to change. Always call to confirm and please email us if you discover a change, closure, or other inaccuracy. Thank you.

Farmer’s markets that will be staying open this summer include:

Boys Farmers Market in Delray Beach

Open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m on Sunday