Fresh food is part of the Anna Maria Island experience, and you can find plenty of it at the local farmer’s markets. Whether you and your significant other or your entire family are staying in one of our Anna Maria Island vacation rentals, you’ll want some delicious food to make for your meals. You might also want to stock up on some unique souvenirs to take home.
Farmer’s markets are home to artisans and farmers who have food and wares to showcase and sell. Anna Maria Island is ripe with opportunities to visit a farmer’s market. If you want to browse or have a list of items you need to buy, a farmer’s market is perfect for getting everything you want and need.
You can find multiple farmer’s markets around AMI all year round. While some are seasonal, a few run all year round. No matter which one you visit, you will undoubtedly find some delicious food and one-of-a-kind arts and crafts to take home with you. Here are four Anna Maria Island farmer’s markets that you can visit and stock up on food while staying on the island.
Coquina Beach Market
Heading toward Coquina Beach? Stop by the Coquina Beach Market! It is open Sundays in November, Sundays and Wednesdays in December through March, and Wednesdays and Fridays from April to July. (Mind you, it is closed in the off-season of August through October.) You can find all kinds of items, from fresh produce to jewelry, from beach apparel to handcrafted works of art.
The Beach Market is known for being less crowded than other area markets, making it an ideal spot for the entire family. Treat yourself to some delectable baked goods, homemade beauty products, crafts, jewelry, and fresh produce from local farmers.
This market is stroller and wheelchair-accessible, but pets are prohibited in Coquina Park. (Sorry, Fido, but you’ll have to sit this one out.) If you aren’t going to drive in and take advantage of the free parking, you can ride the Anna Maria Island trolley for free. You can take in the views of the inviting neighborhoods as you head into Coquina.
Be sure to stop by the Coquina Café near the market to sate your palate while you shop. You can find this market in Bradenton, near the southern end of AMI, before the bridge that takes you to LBK.
Bridge Street Farmer’s Market
Located in the city of Bradenton Beach on AMI, you can find the Bridge Street Market on Historic Bridge Street. Considered to be Anna Maria Island’s “hot spot” for shopping and dining out, Bridge Street is always active. It is home to the original wooden bridge that allowed access to and from the island. Bridge Street embodies the laid-back Old Florida charm and has a little something for everyone.
Open every Sunday from November through April, you can stop by from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. to find out what local vendors have to offer. This is one of the most popular events on AMI, as the City Pier abounds with local vendors. Bring the whole family to shop for gifts and goodies. The Bridge Street Market is a non-profit operation that supports local beach rehabilitation following the red tide incursion through the Save Our Shores initiative.
While browsing what the vendors have to offer, you can rock out to some great music by local musicians. You can find fresh produce from local farms and flowers and herbs grown by these hardworking farmers. You will also see a lot of seafood up for purchase, not to mention all the beachy jewelry and art that local artisans craft.
After you’re done, head over to Bridge Street for more shopping at Bridge Street Bazaar or grab some grub from the Blue Marlin Grill or Bridge Street Bistro. After all, the Bridge Street Market’s tagline is “Shop, Dine, and Play, From Beach to Bay”! This is what makes the Bridge Street Market so unique – you can enjoy a picturesque view of the water while shopping and dining.
Bradenton Farmer’s Market
Need a break from your Anna Maria Island rental with a pool? The Bradenton Farmer’s Market in downtown Bradenton takes place from October through May and is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the AMI community. Beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 2 p.m., you will have plenty of time to shop.
So, what can you find here? Vendors bring in locally grown fruits, vegetables, plants, and organic products. You can also find some fabulous work from local artisans and crafters. On the third Saturday of every month, Mainly Art hosts numerous local creators who show and sell their pieces at the market. Handcrafted pottery, local wildlife prints, and handmade shadow boxes are just a few items you will find there.
The Bradenton Farmer’s Market happens on Main Street in downtown Bradenton, on 12th Street West. Close by are O’bricks – which serves lunch and cocktails – and Robins Downtown Café, which serves breakfast. After you’ve shopped and fueled up, enjoy a walk along the Manatee River at the Riverwalk or head to the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature to learn about Florida’s most unique archaeological artifact collection.
Sarasota Farmer’s Market
Consider planning a day trip to Sarasota during your stay in one of our Anna Maria Island rentals. Sarasota is about 20.5 miles (or a 48-minute drive) south of Anna Maria Island via US-41 N. You can drive yourself, take a taxi, or call an Uber to get you to and from Sarasota.
Since 1979, the Sarasota Farmer’s Market has provided the community with locally grown produce, flowers, and plants. You can find everything from fresh orchids to Pea’s Easel Art artwork. Are you looking for something ‘beach-chic’ to wear? Check out the jewelry and clothing vendors like Clothes 2 Dye 4 and Sugar Sand Jewelry – they’ve got you covered (literally and figuratively)!
Plan Your Visit
When you’re planning your trip down to Florida, don’t miss a chance to stay in our Anna Maria Island rentals. Contact us today to learn more!
The Sarasota Farmer’s Market is one of the few open all year long. It runs every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. After you’re all done shopping, you can take a city sightseeing tour of Sarasota, check out the mangrove tunnels on a guided kayaking tour, or stop by the Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary to get up close and personal with their lions and tigers.
Finding a farmer’s market on Anna Maria Island with everything you need is simple. Whether you only visit one of them or hit up every farmer’s market in the area, you will find an array of unique items and locally grown, farm-fresh food to eat right on the spot or take home with you.