The Fernandina Farmer's Market
Amelia Island's latest growing sensation
Story and photos by Karen Miller

   A few years ago, the idea of a farmer's market in Fernandina was kind of like the weather – everybody talked about it but nobody did anything about it. Until one day when Eileen Shannon Moore suddenly got a "bee in her bonnet" as she says, and resolved to put all the talk into action. With a lot of hard work, researching and fund-raising, Moore and a group of volunteers established the Fernandina Farmer's Market in November of 2002, held every Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Central Park, corner of Atlantic Ave. & 11th St. in Fernandina. With the addition of new vendors and more shoppers frequenting the marketplace, the Fernandina Farmer's Market is growing every week.
"We average about 10 to 12 vendors right now," says Moore, "but we'd like to see it double in size. The more vendors we have, the more people we will attract. Everyone will benefit." Weekly repeat customers to the Farmer's Market have come to rely on their Saturday excursions as an alternative to regular grocery shopping. One customer visits the market every week for her Saturday dinner parties. "I can find everything I need right here – bread, fresh vegetables, shrimp, dips and spreads, fruits and desserts. Even flowers for my centerpiece."

Fernandina Farmer's Market offers
an array of fresh flowers.
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The products are diverse and although you will see many of the same vendors every week, some come and go depending upon the seasonal nature of their items. Rudy Ferra, from Maria's Bakery in Jacksonville, is a regular denizen of the Fernandina Farmer's Market who offers a scrumptious selection of baked goods including breads, strudels, calzones and cookies. Tommy and Vanessa Carter, from Scriven, Georgia, offer a bountiful selection of fresh fruits and vegetables including cantaloupes, watermelons, peaches, squash, okra, tomatoes, beans and peas. Barbara Hill and Georganna Mullis specialize in organic seasonal vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, grains and seeds. They also carry a selection of wheat, yeast and sugar-free breads and rolls and welcome special requests from customers.

There's something for everyone at the Farmer's Market - from homemade
tamales (left) to fresh produce (right).
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Flowers and plants abound at the Farmer's Market, and the vendors are always happy to give customers advice on care and gardening techniques. Local columnist Betty Morrell offers beautiful, healthy plants and design consultation. David Swoyer and Joseph Shodis, of Sands Orchids, Inc., have a spectacular selection of unusual orchids and occasionally offer repotting seminars at the market. Ed Jenkins, of Jacksonville, sells fresh cut flowers, roses and mixed bouquets. His sister, Evelyn, sets up right next to Ed, selling her gourmet cheesecakes, including her delectable mini-cheesecakes for only 99¢ each.
Other vendors include Old South Yankee Gourmet General Store, offering seafood dips and cheese spreads; Carolyn's Fine Foods, with gourmet-to-go items like crab cakes and heat and serve entrees, and Gabriella Macias from La Rancherita, with her famous tamales available in three varieties. Thirsty shoppers can stop and see Dottie Thompson for a cold drink or a cup of fresh, hot coffee.
Beginning in September, the Fernandina Farmer's Market will be offering free seminars and demonstrations every Saturday at 11 a.m. during regular Farmer's Market hours, and the public is invited to attend. Subjects will include plant care, how to peel, de-vein and prepare shrimp properly, cooking with organics, introduction to exotic spices with many more planned throughout the fall and into the holidays.
For more information about the Fernandina Farmer's Market or if you're interested in being a vendor, call Eileen Shannon Moore at (904) 556-5722.