Fresh produce reigns supreme at Lake County Farmers’ Market

From fishing poles to greeting cards, the Lake County Farmers’ Market is a super warehouse of good buys and great deals.

Located north of the City of Eustis on County Road 452, the market is open every Thursday at 8 a.m., except holidays and during the County Fair in April. The market is free for customers to park and shop, and during a warm August morning about 50 regulars browse the wares at the markets.

During the summer about 60 or more vendors set-up shop for the largest farmers’ market in Lake County. Shop casually during the summer to avoid the crowds or come back in the winter when this market rivals just about any other in Central Florida.

“In the winter time the number of vendors more than doubles to about 200,” said Judy Evans, Lake County Expo Center/Fairgrounds Director.

The mild winters of Florida and migration of snow birds to the area transforms the market. An estimated 20,000 visitors trek to the market during the peak season — many of them return customers. Regardless, of the time of year the one constant hallmark of the market is its good, fresh produce.

“We have a little bit of everything here from A to Z,” Evans said. “There’s an awful lot of citrus here during the season and some local growers do come out and put it on the market. I think the variety of products and the reasonable prices along with the vendors themselves treating shoppers right make the customers return.”

An annual survey of shoppers and vendors illustrates the market’s popularity. Out of 300 shoppers and vendors polled, 98.5 percent found the farmers’ market either excellent or satisfactory. Staff also received more than 50 positive comments from the survey, including “excellent source for fresh fruit and vegetables,” and “love doing this market, everyone is very nice.”

“To get these kinds of results you have to have good staff,” Evans said.

Among the comments were constant reminders of the facility’s cleanliness. To maintain a clean facility, no pets are allowed at the market.

“We have a reputation of being one of the cleanest markets in the area,” Evans said.

Interested vendors are encouraged to reserve a booth Thursday morning before the gates open or stop by the fairgrounds office during the week. No phone reservations are allowed. Vendor space rentals range between $9.63 and $12.84 per market day.

Vendors can choose between several locations at the Lake County Farmers’ Market including the LaRoe Pavilion, Clements, Mayo or Ashford buildings or the Expo Hall. At 15,000 square feet, the Expo Hall is the largest rentable indoor space in Lake County.