I know, I know--it's the best compared to what?  Farmers markets in Miami still have much room for improvement, yet every new season, I'm filled with optimism.  Trinkets and prepared foods still outweigh produce at local markets. These are fun to shop from, too, but the key word in "farmers market" is "farm." However, a visit to opening day at Pinecrest Gardens Green Market on a cool, crisp Sunday made me hopeful.

Pinecrest Gardens Green Market won Best Farmers Market 2010 for its offerings of fruits and vegetables, compared to other markets in South Florida. I was reminded of why this Sunday. So were a lot of others: it was hard to walk through the market without bumping elbows with somebody.  The Redland Organics booth was especially packed.  As New Times stated when the market won its award: "The Redland Organics booth alone is worth the visit if you don't mind paying a little more."

Photos of a glorious farmers market day after the jump...

The Redland Organics Booth sells fruits, vegetables, herbs, honey, and

plants from small organic farmers around South Florida.  This week, they

had lettuces and other greens, herbs, tropical honey, persimmons, passion fruit, and a large selection of local vegetables.

At around 11

am, there was a line of people waiting to pay for vegetables.  It wasn't

as long as, say, the line of hopeful fans waiting for Ricky Martin to

appear at Books & Books on Saturday morning (it's true!), but heck,

I've never had to wait in line to pay at the market!  By

closing time, the tables at Redland Organics were looking spare and

bereft. It's a good sign that Miamians are ripe for more locally farmed

fruits and vegetables at markets.

There were several new vendors at the market, including Jourdan's

Beautiful Food, which sells vibrant tropical fruits sourced from around

South Florida. Also new is L'Atelier Gourmet, the French bakery which

supplies brightly colored macaroons, pastries, chocolates, and ice

creams to local hotels and restaurants such George's.

FYI: Redland Organics and a few other vendors at the Pinecrest Gardens

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Green Market will be at the Ramble at Fairchild Tropical Gardens next

weekend. They will return the following week.

The Pinecrest Gardens Green Market is open Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through May. It's at 5855 SW 111th Street.

More photos from the farmers market on the next pages.

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