Sarasota has spent much of 2026 being rewarded for its most Sarasota-like qualities. Just in the last few months, we were named No. 1 in the nation among Niche’s “Best Counties for Retirees” and one of CNN’s “America’s Best Towns to Visit.” Siesta Beach made another international victory lap, landing at No. 28 on The World’s 50 Best Beaches list as the only U.S. beach to crack the global top 50. And just last week, two Sarasota architectural firms landed on Forbes’ 2026 list of America’s Best-in-State Residential Architects, with one also making the cut for America’s Top 200 Residential Architects. 

Now we have another reason to toot our own horns—two, actually. 

The downtown Sarasota Farmers Market took the No. 1 spot in both the statewide and national rankings of American Farmland Trust’s “America’s Farmers Market Celebration” (AFMC), with the Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch coming in at No. 2. The AFMC is the only yearly ranking of top farmers markets in the country voted on by the public, and has been running since 2008.

Founded in 1979 by Paul Thorpe and the Downtown Merchants Association with the objective of bringing people into the heart of downtown, the Sarasota Farmers Market is celebrating its 47th anniversary this year. Thousands of shoppers show up every Saturday, rain or shine, 52 weeks a year, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., for everything from perfectly golden empanadas and crispy kombucha to homemade candles and fishing lures. You can nab essential oils, orchids, cigars, and vintage wear, get a poem written for you on the spot, or even leave with freshly sharpened knives and a tuned-up bike. 

“I’ve always regarded the Sarasota Farmers Market as one of the gems of Sarasota,” says Christine Nordstrom, the chair of the downtown market's board. Nordstrom joined the market as a vendor almost 20 years ago before making her way up the ranks of the organization, and was one of the founding members of SFMV, Inc., the nonprofit that took over management of the market in 2009.

Nordstrom says there’s been a “revival of sorts” at the market. “[We’re] really working to restore it to its roots while also moving it forward," she says. "We have fresh new leadership, exciting and thoughtfully curated vendors, more farmers and growers, and new family-friendly programming that has brought a wonderful energy back to the market.

:After 47 years, it’s still a place where locals and visitors come together every Saturday, and to now be recognized as the No. 1 farmers market in Florida and the No. 1 farmers market in the country is pretty incredible," she continues. "I’m very proud of what our entire market community has accomplished together.”

Over in Waterside Place, the Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch—which claimed the nation’s top spot last year in the AFMC and just landed on Travel + Leisure’s chef-and-travel-recommended list—is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., year round, rain-or-shine. It began in 2017 and instantly established itself as a weekend staple, and not just for those residing in the master-planned community. About 100 vendors offer everything from organic juices and coastal trinkets to artisan sourdough to flower bouquets. 

Like the other wins we’ve scored this year, the rankings confirm what we already knew. Our markets are more than a place to score a morning crêpe or soothe the wallet pain—and plastic packaging—of a grocery store run. They’re where we go when we’re in desperate need of a good walk-and-gab, or a low-stakes first date activity that will guarantee pleasantry regardless of how the company turns out. We can pet approximately one thousand dogs, kick back to live music, and more than anything, enjoy being human alongside other humans—eating well, soaking up the sunshine, and wandering even longer than we intended amongst the rows of makers keeping the locally made spirit alive.