On Oct. 25, the Delray Beach GreenMarket kicked off its 30th winter season. This open-air farmers market, established in 1996 by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), has more than tripled its vendors over the years, fostering a vibrant and community-focused atmosphere.
Along with shopping for local produce, dairy, fresh seafood and grass-fed beef, visitors can indulge in the international food court with dishes like ceviche, conch salad and award-winning barbecue. A shaded tent provides a spot for visitors to sit back and relax with their meals or enjoy live music.
“All farmers markets have their own unique personalities,” says Lori Johnson, the market’s manager for more than 25 years. “What differentiates Delray’s is the combination of vendors, customers, location and the support from the CRA.”
More than 75 vendors set up each weekend with fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, eggs, fish, meat, drinks, home goods, house plants and more, as well as rotating vendors with pop-up booths and tents. The biweekly Chef Showcase features local chefs who shop the market for in-season ingredients and prepare a dish for sampling.
The GreenMarket also accepts SNAP, as well as Florida’s Fresh Access Bucks (FAB) program, “which allows recipients to double their benefits on fresh fruits and vegetables,” Johnson notes. Participants can receive a match of up to $40 every Saturday. At the SNAP/EBT tent, shoppers can use their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to purchase $1 or $5 wooden tokens, which are accepted at any farm stand displaying a SNAP/EBT sign.
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the GreenMarket is selling a limited-edition commemorative canvas bag. The market runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. nearly every Saturday through May 16.
The Delray GreenMarket is located at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. For more information, visit delraycra.org/green-market.
