- November 1, 2024
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Plenty of Saturday markets call themselves farmers markets, yet they’re rarely held on a farm.
That's not the case at the newest farmers market in Myakka City.
Hosted by Dakin Dairy Farms, the outdoor market is held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For now, the market is only planned through September, but if successful, it will continue. Nate and Rachel Thomas, the owners of the Farm Cafe (the concession at Dakin Dairy), are the market’s organizers.
“We want the farm to bring people good food,” Nate said. “Myakka City, for some crazy reason, is like a hub for entrepreneurial food businesses. We’re trying to keep it local first, and then step out.”
Vendors have to interview with the Thomases before being accepted into the market. Right now, the vendors are mostly selling prepared foods, but Rachel said they’re looking for produce vendors.
“We’re wholesalers. We could go into Plant City or Englewood or wherever and get everything, but we would love to see those local farms,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be a farm. Anyone who is growing produce and wants to sell it here, we want that, grown by yourself.”
Myakka City resident Mike Leworthy had a bumper crop of Seminole pumpkins this year, so he was selling them along with his usual lemonade and cotton candy.
The food at the market is from scratch. Maria Yoder brings freshly baked breads and desserts each week. Her piña colada zucchini bread sells fast and comes with a side of complementary piña colada cream cheese.
Among the other offerings are hand-twisted pretzels, freshly brewed Java Dog coffee, enchiladas made from a family recipe and cheese curds made with Dakin milk.
Farm tours are available, and on select Saturdays, Dakin Images will take photos of you and a calf sitting on a couch together, but book ahead. Walk-ups are not accepted.
One last reason to check out this market — 15-minute calf cuddle sessions are coming soon.