The flexitarian prescription

Where to go for the freshest fruits, veggies and more on your summer road trip

Summer screams fresh fruits and vegetables … and throughout most of the country, that means farmers markets. But, summer also calls for road trips and traveling to destinations where, if you’re unfamiliar, you may not know where to find the best selection of those aforementioned fresh fruits and vegetables. That’s why we’ve created this short guide to some of the hippest (and freshest) places where you can load up your car with green goodies and so much, much more. Whether heading south from North Carolina to Florida, or driving north from Florida to North Carolina, we’ve got you covered. So drive safe and plan to stop in at a few of these farmers markets along the way where you’re sure to get some of the freshest in seasonal goods the south eastern coastline has to offer.

FLORIDA

Ft. Lauderdale

The largest farmers market in all of south Florida is directly off Interstate 95, just south of Ft. Lauderdale. The market has more than 300 vendors in a 100,000 sq.ft. facility—so yea, depending on what you’re looking for, this could be an all-day adventure, but there is truly nothing this place doesn’t have. From farm-fresh pet food to carnivorous plants to veggies, and artisanal goods, this market epitomizes green living and is must stop winter, spring, summer or fall. Yellow Green Farmers Market | 3080 Sheridan St, Hollywood | YGFarmersMarket.com

West Palm Beach

One of the prettiest locations for a farmers market in the country, the West Palm Beach Green Market is a waterfront mecca for Florida-grown fruits, organic vegetables, baked goods and more. They pride themselves in hosting vendors who only sell directly from their own websites, or at the market so not not only will you find the best seasonal foods, but your guaranteed to find a few one-of-a-kind whatchamacallits too. WPB Green Market | 101 S Clematis St, West Palm Beach | Facebook.com/WPBGreenMarket

Palm Coast

Offering a great selection of locally grown and imported organic foods as well as handmade soaps and lotions, woodcrafts and other unique items, the farmers market is just one of the cool happenings at the European Village. Even if you’re not looking to pick up some farm-fresh grub, you should take the time to visit some of the retail outlets or hangout for a bit at one of the quaint eateries on the square. Farmers Market at the European Village | 101 Palm Harbor Pkwy, Palm Coast | EVFarmersMarket.com

Daytona Beach

The historical downtown shopping district of Daytona Beach is nothing like the crowded boardwalk that fills with spring breakers every year. The quaint area is laced with brick sidewalks that lead to and from all kinds of small, family-owned businesses and every Saturday from 7:00 a.m, until 1:00 p.m., the farmers market where visitors can purchase fresh produce, dairy items, seafood, foliage and more. Note, most vendors only take cash so make sure you bring some greenbacks. Downtown Farmers Market | 105 E. Orange Ave, Daytona | RiverFontShopsOfDaytona.com/Farmers-Market

Jacksonville

Florida’s oldest and largest farmers market, this seven-day-a-week, year-round market offers seasonal, specialty items like boiled peanuts and real maple syrup, as well as tons of ethnic, organic and unique products arriving fresh every morning. More than 25,000 people visit the market on a weekly basis—from local residents to restaurateurs to suburban produce store buyers. Equivalent to six football fields, a trip to the market makes for an impressive, entertaining way to get in some serious steps while hunting for just about anything. Jacksonville Farmers Market | 1810 West Beaver Street | JaxFarmersMarket.com

GEORGIA

Savannah

I-95 runs a mere 112 miles through Georgia, and though there are a few small stops along the way, it mostly goes through marshlands bypassing cities. But, without a doubt, one of the coolest farmers markets in the south is right off I-95 in historic downtown Savannah. Not only is it a virtual mecca for all things fresh and delicious, but it’s also one of the first markets in the country to develop a token payment system for those using SNAP (formerly known as food stamps). This food-only, producer-only market offers produce, pastured meats, local honey, artisan dairy and cheeses, craft breads, baked goods and a wide variety of prepared foods—all sourced from vendors within a 200-mile radius. Forsyth Farmers Market | 1 W Park Ave, Savannah | ForsythFarmersMarket.com

SOUTH CAROLINA

Bluffton

A few miles east of I-95, South Carolina’s coastline is ripe with farmers markets all year. And one of the best is the Bluffton market. Nestled between Savannah and Hilton Head, volunteers opened the now bustling market in 2008 at the Bluffton Oyster Company Park on the May River. Now, more than 10 years later, its known throughout the region as one of the best places to find amazing produce, enjoy fresh locally-grown food and be entertained by a variety of artists. Bluffton Farmers Market | 40 Calhoun, Bluffton | FarmersMarketBluffton.org

Charleston

Longtime residents, college kids (Clemson University is just around the corner), and tourists alike all love this market in historic Marion Square. Declared one of the top 10 Best Farmers Markets in the Nation in 2008 by Travel + Leisure Magazine, the market offers a plethora of goods from lowcountry farmers and growers as well as prepared foods, artisan products, plants, herbs and cut flowers. And it’s one of the best places in town for breakfast, lunch, or a midday snack. Charleston Farmers Market | 329 Meeting Street, Charleston | CharlestonFarmersMarket.com

Florence

Just off I-95, Pee Dee Farmers Market sees more than 700,000 visitors annually as it’s a destination stop for many traveling east to the Carolina coast. Situated on fifty-five acres of once rural farmland, the market showcases some of the state’s freshest and finest produce year round as many consider it a prime location for the ornamental horticulture and floriculture industry. Pee Dee State Farmers Market | 2513 W Lucas St, Florence |  Facebook.com/PeeDeeFarmersMarket

NORTH CAROLINA

Carrboro

Whether you’re staying for a while in the greater Triangle area, headed to the Blue Ridge mountains, the Outerbanks or somewhere else in the great state of North Carolina, you need to plan to visit the Carrboro Farmers Market. One of the oldest all-local markets in North Carolina—and one of the few that require farm owners to be present during operating hours—it boasts some of the most varied (if not eclectic) produce in the region. Now in their 41st year of operation, the market brings more than 75 vendors together on a weekly basis to sell their locally-produced goods to thousands of visitors. Carrboro Farmers Market | 301 W Main St, Carrboro | CarrboroFarmersMarket.com