Local Goods For the Greater Good
PHOTOS BY JACK PORTUNE | DESIGNED BY MADDY LAROCK
For more than 20 years, Downtown Lakeland has been at its very freshest on Saturdays. Kentucky Ave. is jam packed from Lemon St. N. to Oak St. with friendly neighbors, strollers, cute puppies and dozens of vendors dedicated to offering fresh, locally sourced produce, meat, honey, baked goods and more.
Thousands of people flock to the market every Saturday of the year, minus the month of August. In a world where rising grocery costs are the reality and families are diligently looking for easy options to eat more whole food, Lakeland has grown and cultivated a gem that is healthy in more ways than one.
There are dozens of vendors and literally thousands of products worth trying. Some are there on occasion where others are as constant as the Florida humidity.
Recently a couple of our team members went for a morning stroll (let’s get those steps in!) to visit a few booths operated by friendly locals who are making their mark on healthy living for Lakelanders.
If you’re willing to wait for the food to put on the plate and enjoy the process of seeing life sprout right before your eyes, there are plenty of vendors like Dee Nursery at the market who are ready to fuel your vegetable garden dream or simply add a new herb or type of produce to your mix.
As common sense would tell, the summer months in Florida are only kind to a few hearty crops, like Okra, but fall, winter and spring are wonderful growing seasons for people in Polk County.
Take advantage of the expertise of staff at spots like Austin’s Backyard Garden or Peterson Nursery and Garden Center for specific advice on all types of plants and trees, and check out the incredible free resources provided by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
Vita Produce
The expansive offerings of Vita Produce, anchoring the edge of Oak St. each Saturday, is an array of color and flavor ready to eat and ready to cook.
According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, here’s currently what’s in season.
Fruits
Carambola
Cucumbers
Grapefruit
Guava
Oranges
Papaya
Strawberries
Tangerines
Tomatoes
Vegetables
Bell peppers
Broccoli
Cabbage
Eggplant
Mushrooms
Potatoes
Snap beans
Spinach
Squash
Regeneration Family Farm
Regeneration Family Farm in Lithia is the realization of a simpler, faith-driven life for founders and high school sweethearts JJ and Jordyn Maestas. It’s a testament to their commitment to family and regenerative farming, focusing on restoring soil and animal health. The Maestas family, including their four children, raises poultry by moving them across pastures daily, ensuring the chickens receive fresh, nutritious food while naturally fertilizing the land. This practice results in high-quality, ethically raised products like fresh chicken, bone broth and eggs, sold directly to consumers. They’ve recently added pork products like bacon, spare ribs and pork chops to their offerings, as well as dog treats. For the Maestas family, the farm is more than a business; it’s a way to serve the community, promote transparency in the food system, and build relationships, nurturing the soul of their community through hard work and love for Jesus.
MoYo Bread
Sure, the sourdough craze keeps rising, but don’t forget about the chewy, crusty deliciousness of ciabatta bread, a rustic Italian product that begs to be dipped in oil or piled high with delectable meats. MoYo Bread, founded in 2018 by Andrii Moskalets out of Celebration, Fla. keeps it simple. He hand makes ciabatta breads, such as olive ciabatta, multigrain ciabatta and cranberry and chocolate ciabatta, while also serving up an ever-changing variety of soft focaccia bread, baguettes and more.
Mikro Greens Market
Microgreens are the small sustainable plants that pack powerful punches of flavor and health benefits. They are also the centerpiece of Karl Snow’s local business that he started to provide locals with access to nutrient-dense seedlings and that he hopes to expand to help community gardens thrive everywhere from neighborhoods to churchyards to schoolyards.
Mikro’s selection of microgreens continues to expand, and the business also offers fresh grass and greens options for pets.
With Karl’s heart for building community, it’s no surprise that Mikro’s shows off customer-submitted recipes on its social channels, highlighting the plethora of unique ways that people are using microgreens to enhance recipes.
