A great way to learn more about the foods you buy at the local farmers’ market in historic Fernandina Beach, Florida, is to get to know the folks behind the tables. The majority of our exhibitors are owner/operators and they want to meet you, too!

Great Harvest Bread Company is a locally owned “Freedom” franchise, meaning the owners, Jodi and Dirk, get to run their business – their way. They have the freedom to meet unique needs of our community, and they have access to recipes and processes that the Great Harvest brand is proud to deliver. Each morning they grind their fresh whole wheat and add other simple ingredients like fresh yeast, salt and local honey. Dirk, usually joined by one of their daughters, join us each and every Saturday morning with fresh baked muffins, cookies, delectable sweets and breads. Located in the Applebees Shopping Center on Amelia Island, their “brick and mortar” Great Harvest is open seven days a week.

Another owner/operator you should meet is Steve Joseph. He is the “J” in JD Beef. Steve stands behind their claim of “Top Quality Beef” and makes sure their cuts and wrappings meet the JD Beef standards.

Their farm is located in SE Georgia and they grown a variety of produce, have four poultry houses and a cattle operation. JD is proud to say their farm does not border any other cattle operations, keeping their herd controlled and disease free, without the use of antibiotics, hormones, steroids or vaccinations. The herd is pasture grazed on Bermuda grass in the summer and winter ryes in the winter. They offer both grain finished AND grass finished beef every Saturday at the Fernandina Beach Market Place.

We invite you to come meet these two, or any of our nearly 40 vendors on N. 7th Street in historic, downtown Fernandina Beach, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM each Saturday morning. This week, for your additional enjoyment, we will be welcoming Heaton Station‘s inaugural performance at the Market Place. They will delight you with soft, country favorites and mild rock classics. Members of your party not interested in the farmers market? That’s fine, they can stroll the neighboring Austin Healey Southeastern Classic XXVII where there will be about 70 cars on display on Centre Street Saturday morning. The event is put on by the St. Johns Austin-Healy Club, Jacksonville, Florida.

To learn more about the friendliest farmers’ market in Northeast Florida, please find us on facebook, look around our website while you are here, or call (904) 557-8229.

The Market Place is open every Saturday, rain or shine. Because of the Shrimp Festival Parade, we will be extending our hours on April 27, 2013 to 4:00 PM. We will be closed on May 4, 2013, due to the Isle of Eight flags Shrimp Festival.