Southern Byways

The new craze in the food and dining industry is to think globally and eat locally. Why? You might ask, and what exactly does that mean? Eating locally means to eat food that is both better for you and for the environment. In doing so, you are helping save natural resources to get food at the table. According to Charles Coiner, founder of Rock Garden Herbs, ” We are combatting the high cost of shipping and the sticker shock at the pump by planting urban farms throughout Miami  and will be harvesting 386 acres of  organic produce at Chuck Farm just north of here.”

There are a few things that you can do to help in the push toward eating “locally.” The first being to shop for foods that are in season in your area and to plan your diet around them and the second is to shop at a local’s farmers’ market.

Although I am very conscious of the food that I eat and in helping the environment, sometimes I find it hard to do so, as I’m not aware of where the local farmer’s markets are. Here’s a run down of local markets in the Florida area:

• The Aventura Mall Farmer’s Market, 19501 Biscayne Blvd in Aventura (305) 935-1110. It is located in the fountain court near Bloomingdale’s/Macy’s and Cheesecake Factory Dates: September 20, 21; October 11, 12, 18, 19 - Saturdays: 10:00 am - 9:30 pm. Sundays: noon - 6:00 pm. What is available: Vendors sell a variety of products including cut flowers, tropical plants, orchids, baked goods, bonsai, jellies, oils, vinegars, potpurri, lucky bamboo and honey.
• Lincoln Road Farmer’s Market, located on Lincoln Road between Meridian Avenue and Washington Ave. When: Sundays between 9:00 am - 6:30 pm What is available: Offering a variety of fruits, vegetables, fresh cut flowers, plants, honey, bread, jams and jellies.
• Las Olas Outdoor Gourmet Market is located at 1201 E Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale When: Every Sunday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm What is available: Offering freshly baked pastries and breads, farm-grown fruits and vegetables, nutritional honey products, tropical jams and jellies, exotic orchids and cut flowers.
• Normandy Village Marketplace is located at 71st Street at the Normandy Isle Fountain, along the Rue Vendome in North Beach, Miami. When: Every Saturday from 8 am - 6 pm. What is available: an eclectic mix of plants, fresh cut flowers, fruit, vegetables, clothing, incense and jewelry.

Photo Credit: Tomatoes by Quite Peculiar @ flickr