Orlando Farmer's Market

Paula Villalon Ciena
Media Outlet Story
April 26, 2015

Ever wondered where to go to buy Florida grown products as well as other products all in one place?  The Orlando Farmer’s Market, located at Lake Eola Park, offers exactly that.  It is a cool family-driven event that takes place each Sunday from 10am to 4pm. 

The market first started in 1987, when the Downtown Development Board decided to provide the downtown residents a shopping opportunity.  It was first located under I-4 across from the Church Street Station.  However, due to an increase in construction downtown during the 90’s, it was relocated to the area known as Heritage Square, situated at Central Blvd. and Magnolia Ave.  And in 2004, it was moved again to its final destination at Lake Eola Park. 

The Orlando Farmer’s Market is not your ordinary market; it has many tents that cover the bridge and corner of Central Blvd. and Eola Dr. that offer different products from food to jewelry to dog accessories.  There are so many things for everybody.  They also have different shows for entertainment each week at the beer and wine garden from 12am to 4pm.

Amy Morris preparing corn cooked to steam.

Amy Morris and her husband, Jonathan, have participated in the Orlando Farmer’s Market for eight years.  Amy remembers that when they first started it was just a tiny market and it was “no fun”.  A few years ago it was taken over by Dana Brown and, according to Morris, “she made it into a place where people wanted to be”.  She stated that her overall experience has been great in this market and “it’s awesome compared to others where you just grab your stuff and go… It’s one of the best farmer’s markets I’ve been to”.  The Morris family has four farms that they all grow together.  “What we can’t grow here in Florida, we buy from other real farmers to sell their products here,” she said when interrupted by a customer that stated "They're great!"  While interviewing her, she keeps on counting what each customer owes her without fail.

Jim Browne and Ken Wright assisting a customer.

It Makes Scents owners Jim Browne and Ken Wright have participated at this event for four years and say that it's "much more profitable” than the shops they've had over the course of 37 years.  Browne said that they sell from 80 to 100 bars a day on their best seller alone, which is the Black Soap.  He expressed that the only downsides would be “the extreme heat during the summer, the gusty winds, which knock the tents to the ground, and the thunderstorms”.  When asked why they decided to participate in the Orlando Farmer’s Market, Browne answered: “Because we love the people and the interaction with the people”.  To them, overall, it has been an “excellent experience… It’s easy to do, you just put your tent up and then take it down at the end of the day”.

The people at the farmer’s market are amazed at all the products they offer.  One can feel the good vibes the customers emit as they interact with each other even when they just met.  It is a good place to go with your family, your dog or even friends when you have nothing to do on a sunny Sunday.