Farmers Markets and Local Food in Lakewood Ranch

Where is the farmers market in Lakewood Ranch?

The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch is at Waterside Place, on Lakefront Drive in the Sarasota County part of the community, every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It runs year-round, entry is free and no registration is needed.

The market has more than 100 local vendors. Expect organic produce, flowers, spices and rubs, honey, fresh bread, baked goods, prepared foods, pet products and jewelry. There is live music on a rotating schedule and a Kids’ Zone with activities. The setting is on Kingfisher Lake, next to the restaurants and shops of Waterside Place, so it is easy to turn a market trip into brunch. See our guide to Main Street and Waterside Place for what else is there.

In 2025 the market won first place in American Farmland Trust’s America’s Farmers Market Celebration, a national contest decided by public online voting in August and September.

What farmers markets are near Lakewood Ranch?

There is a market almost every day of the week within a short drive, with the Sunday market at Waterside Place the closest and largest.

Market	Where	Day and time	Season	Notes
Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch	Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch	Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.	Year-round	100-plus vendors; 2025 national winner
Lakewood Ranch Main Street Market	8141 Lakewood Main Street	One Saturday a month, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.	October to April	70-plus makers, artisans and retailers
Sarasota Farmers Market	1 N. Lemon Ave., downtown Sarasota	Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.	Year-round	Long-running downtown market
Bradenton Public Market	Old Main Street, downtown Bradenton	Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.	October to May	Formerly the Bradenton Farmers Market
Phillippi Farmhouse Market	Phillippi Estate Park, Sarasota	Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.	October to April	50-plus vendors; run by Sarasota County Parks

Schedules change with weather and holidays, so check each market’s site before you go.

What is the Lakewood Ranch Main Street Market?

It is a monthly Saturday market on Lakewood Main Street, in the Manatee County part of Lakewood Ranch, focused on local makers and small retailers. It has more than 70 vendors and runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 8141 Lakewood Main Street.

The 2026 to 2027 dates are October 10, November 14, December 12, January 9, February 6, March 13 and April 3. Admission is free. It leans more toward crafts, artisan goods and gifts than produce, so it pairs well with the Sunday market for groceries.

Which market is best for what?

Pick the Sunday Lakewood Ranch market for convenience and variety, downtown Sarasota for an early Saturday start, and Phillippi for a quieter weekday trip.

• Weekly groceries close to home: the Sunday market at Waterside Place.
• Gifts and handmade goods: the Main Street Market on its monthly Saturday.
• Early birds: the Sarasota Farmers Market opens at 7 a.m. on Saturdays in downtown Sarasota.
• A Saturday outing north: the Bradenton Public Market on Old Main Street, run by the nonprofit Realize Bradenton. Its 2026 to 2027 season opened October 3.
• Midweek: the Phillippi Farmhouse Market on Wednesdays. Sarasota County Parks has run it since its previous operators retired in 2024, and free guided tours of the estate’s historic buildings run at 10 and 11 a.m.

Where can I buy straight from a farm?

Hunsader Farms east of Lakewood Ranch and Jessica’s Organic Farm in Sarasota are the two best-known farm stands nearby.

Farm	Location	What you’ll find	Season
Hunsader Farms	5500 County Road 675, Bradenton	Farm market with produce, jams, honey, eggs, local meat and ice cream; U-pick flowers and vegetables; petting zoo	September to early June
Jessica’s Organic Farm	4180 47th St., Sarasota	Organic vegetables, herbs, microgreens, tropical fruit, eggs, honey and local dairy	Farm stand open Friday to Sunday, year-round
Fruitville Grove	Fruitville Road, Sarasota	Citrus grove and produce stand with seasonal organic vegetables, cheeses and jams	Peak organic season December to March

Hunsader Farms is a family favorite for its U-pick fields. Jessica’s says it has farmed organically since 1979 and sells the widest organic selection in Sarasota. Fruitville Grove recommends calling ahead to check what is in season.

Are there fall festivals at local farms?

Yes. Hunsader Farms and Fruitville Grove both run pumpkin festivals on October 2026 weekends.

• Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival: October 10 to 11, 17 to 18 and 24 to 25, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check the farm’s site for admission and parking.
• Fruitville Grove Pumpkin Festival: weekends from October 3 to November 1, 2026 (October 3 to 4, 10 to 11, 17 to 18, 24 to 25 and October 31 to November 1).

For more October plans, see our Lakewood Ranch events calendar.

Where can I shop for local food during the week?

Between markets, a specialty grocer or a farm stand fills the gap.

Detwiler’s Farm Market, a family-owned Sarasota-area grocery chain with produce, a butcher shop, seafood, a deli and a bakery, announced its seventh store at 4502 E. State Road 64 in Braden River Plaza in east Manatee County, with opening planned for fall 2026. Check whether it has opened before you make the trip.

The Sunday market also covers a lot of weekly needs, with bread, baked goods and honey among the regular categories.

What should I know before I go?

Arrive early, bring bags and plan for heat.

• Go early for the best selection. Popular items can sell out before closing time.
• Bring reusable bags and a cooler for meat, seafood, dairy and anything that will sit in a hot car.
• Expect crowds in winter and spring, when seasonal residents are in town.
• Check pet rules. Policies vary by market, so look at the market’s site before you bring a dog. Our dog parks and pet-friendly places guide covers where dogs are welcome.
• Summer is slower. Several Sarasota and Manatee markets close from late spring to October. The Lakewood Ranch and downtown Sarasota markets run year-round.

For more ideas, see things to do in Lakewood Ranch and where to eat in Lakewood Ranch.