Best of 2025

Our Top Food Stories of 2025

This year, we covered everything you need to know about Sarasota's local farmers markets, the numerous ways agriculture is shaping the local food scene, how restaurants are recovering from last year's storms, and more.

12/22/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Eat Your Veggies

The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch Was Just Recognized as the Best Farmers Market in the U.S.

American Farmland Trust's annual Farmers Market Celebration honors markets across the country. This year, Lakewood Ranch took the top spot.

10/03/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Farmers Market Madness

Palmetto's New North River Community Market Features More Than 70 Vendors

The new monthly market is hosted monthly at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa

09/19/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Fresh!

Your Guide to Every Single Local Farmers Market

Whatever you’re hungry for, you’ll find it at a local market.

09/19/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Let's Get Crackin'

Where to Find Farm-Fresh Eggs in Sarasota

The eggs from these local farms will brighten your breakfast table.

04/17/2025 By Chloé Cuyler

In Bloom

Everything You Need to Know About Sarasota's Local Food Scene

Hope you’re hungry!

03/17/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Buzz-Worthy

Gayle Goodfriend Turned a Decade-Long Hobby Into a Thriving Honey Business

Goodfriend works from a five-acre homestead in Manatee County where approximately 400,000 bees feast on nearby saw palmettos, sable palms and Brazilian peppertrees.

03/17/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Straight Off the Boat

Maggie's Seafood Hauls Fresh Catches to Multiple Markets

Married owners Maggie and Gary Balch sell 500 pounds of seafood at both the Sarasota and Venice farmers markets.

03/17/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Hot Pockets

Empanada Girl Has Grown From a Small DIY Operation Into a Massive Farmers Market Attraction

Every week, Stefania Fochi and her team make nearly 5,000 empanadas in 25 different flavor combinations

03/17/2025 By Lauren Jackson

The Smell of Success

The Owner of Nick B’s Chimichurri Wins Over Customers With an Ingenious Marketing Technique

“This year we sold $700,000 in chimichurri around the country,” says Maria Barrajo. “I just love to sell. I could sell you a camel in Miami."

03/17/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Blowing Minds

Bill Nelms Wants You to Know That Mushrooms Aren’t Just for Eating Anymore

“We sell about 400 pounds of mushrooms a week," Nelms says.

03/17/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Holy Guacamole

Dynasty Guacamole Is a Top Draw at Local Farmers Markets

Owner Assiel Landa attracts a huge online audience, with nearly hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok who eat up videos of his colorful guac prep.

09/01/2024 By Lauren Jackson

So Fresh

There's a New Farmers Market in Wellen Park

Fresh Harvest Farmers Market features nearly 40 vendors every Sunday.

06/27/2023 By Lauren Jackson

The storm

Battered by Hurricane Ian, Worden Farm Will Return to the Sarasota Farmers Market Next Week

"When you have these big events, like Covid and hurricanes, it keeps you grounded to the land and to each other and that's why this is our life's work," says Eva Worden.

10/01/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Shopping list

How to Find What's in Season in Florida

Florida has a unique growing season. Here's a month-by-month guide to what the state's farms are typically producing.

09/14/2022 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Around the World

Celebrate Our City's Many Cultures at a Festival in Newtown This Weekend

The free "We Are One" Multicultural Festival, hosted by Newtown Nation, will showcase sights, sounds and flavors from around the world. Proceeds will go to a new program for incarcerated folks re-entering society.

05/03/2022 By Allison Forsyth