Wynwood Farmers Market Finds New Home, Offers Culinary Demos, Entertainment

The Wynwood Farmers Market has a new home.

Beginning this Saturday, the market will take to the streets and close down NW 26th Street between Third and Fifth Avenues. 

According to cofounder Melissa Frantz, the move wasn't wanted at first but turned out to be a good thing. "We moved because we were on Mana property, and they had other events and kept moving us around. But it's a blessing in disguise. We're going to miss the tent, but this enables us to be more of a traditional farmers' market and street fair."

The new location will be able to accommodate as many as 80 vendors during peak season, though likely there will be about 60 this week.  

In addition, the market will offer interactive demos and entertainment. This Saturday, for instance, chef Michael Lewis of Kyu will offer demonstrations on the art of smoking meats. The chef will also offer samples of his culinary talents. In addition, the market will celebrate Passionfruit Day with samples of smoothies, hams, tarts, and marinades made with the sweet/tart fruit. 

Says Frantz: "We're superexcited about the cooking demo and working with Chef Michael. We want to keep doing that kind of thing and involving the restaurants that are here. We're also working with Della Heiman from the Wynwood Yard. She is an amazing, collaborative person. That's the spirit of Wynwood."

Starting next Saturday, August 27, shoppers will also be able to have their purchases delivered via Postmates. In fact, Frantz says, busy people can shop via the delivery service and won't even have to stop by the market to get their fill of artisanal items. 

Frantz is confident the new location will also help inject some more life into a community that's been hit with a financial burden tied to the Zika outbreak. She says that although the first week after the outbreak was "not good" for business, Wynwood is coming back stronger than ever. "I was at the market last weekend, and there were more people than the weekend before."

The market will also showcase street performers, jugglers, artists, and musicians. "It's all about focusing on local people and bringing in all of the art and the food and the culture of this neighborhood," Frantz says. "It's about making it more of what makes Wynwood so special."

The Wynwood Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit thewynwoodfarmersmarket.com.