Every Saturday morning a farmers' market blooms along Lemon Avenue at Main Street. Colorful umbrellas and tents pop up before 7 a.m., the stands underneath bursting with organic produce, seafood, fresh cut flowers, beautiful bromeliads and orchids, homemade cookies and an imaginative array of arts and crafts. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air - along with lively tunes by local musicians - as crowds mingle and meander through the festive displays.

Fleshy vine-ripened tomatoes, juicy Florida oranges and grapefruit, bright yellow lemons and a cornucopia of sweet, crisp vegetables not only look inviting, but last longer and taste better when freshly plucked. Potatoes, leeks, strawberries, artichokes… you want it, you'll find it. For 28 years, rain or shine, the market

Fresh produce

has been pleasing palates and accommodating the health and budget conscious with its wonderfully fresh produce. Tremendous assortments of fresh and dried herbs and spices are also available in any quantity; if your recipe calls for a pinch, that's all you need buy.

Prefer a pastry to a plum? The "cookie lady" will tempt you with her fresh-baked confections along with varieties of quick breads, or you can wash down a donut with your choice of flavored coffee; beans freshly ground on the spot. Visit the friendly gent at the hotdog stand for lunch, and plan a sumptuous seafood dinner -pick up Maine lobster tails, shrimp, scallops, grouper or snapper. There are gourmet pastas, cheeses and pesto, and snacks such as nuts and sunflower seeds. Honey, homemade mustards, chutneys and jams are also among the plethora of tasty tidbits for sale.

From food to flowers, the farmers' market is a feast for the senses. Plants and trees, flowers and succulents add to the aromatic quality and visual excitement of the event. Each week, a rainbow of hues unfurls with a showing of azaleas, bromeliads, orchids, annuals, perennials and citrus, palm and ficus trees, with fresh-cut flower stands offering colorful competition. Whether you are an armchair botanist or an avid gardener, you'll appreciate this golden opportunity to scoop up your floral favorites.

A melting pot of residents and visitors alike come as much for the camaraderie as for the merchandise. Local artisans present a wide range of unique items, such as shell art, handmade jewelry, and homemade soaps. You'll find silk flowers, copper sculptures and paintings by talented local artists. You can even pause to purchase a massage.

Among the 50 or so vendors present is the Downtown Partnership of Sarasota, sponsor of the market as well as on-site information resource to those unfamiliar with the area. The market is just one of the exciting programs they support to enhance a vibrant downtown. Once a week, other non-profit agencies find a venue here as well, including numerous cultural and arts organizations.

Open year 'round and free of charge, the farmers' market sprawls for several blocks along Lemon Avenue at Main Street. Peruse the various shops and restaurants in the heart of Main Street during or after the market, which ends at noon.

For more information about the Downtown Farmers' Market, call (941) 951-2656 or e-mail www.downtownsarasota.com


The Big Picture
In the city of Venice, every Saturday morning brings a wealth of fresh goods to the farmer's market, held from 8 a.m. to noon at Centennial Park on West Miami Avenue. In Sarasota, the monthly Saturday Sarasota Green Marketplace showcases local "green" businesses that promote personal and environmental health. Find clothing made of organic cotton, natural pest control, solar energy products and more. Call (941)953-3588 for dates and locations.

Flea market fanatics will find produce, flowers and everything from antiques to electronics at The Dome Flea Market in Venice or Red Barn Flea Market in nearby south Bradenton.