Eating locally in South Florida

By Kat Osorio

With its vast waterways and balmy tropical climate, South Florida offers a bounty of local delicacies for both residents and visitors alike. Fish, shellfish, and tropical fruits are widely available in this region and should be sampled by anyone looking to experience the area through food. 

Because of its hot, damp summers and warm, dry winters, South Florida provides an ideal climate to grow crops native to the tropics, such as mango, guava, and mamey, all rich in anti-inflammatory phenolic compounds like gallic acid, terpenes, and catechins. If you’re a resident wanting to try these luscious fruits, you may want to consider signing up for a Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, program. Purchase a “share” and you’ll receive a weekly or biweekly box filled with an assortment of seasonal, locally-grown produce, sometimes even with the option to add on other local products, such as eggs, honey, and baked goods. Many of these programs also accept SNAP credits, making it easier for all to have access to local produce. The following farms have CSA programs, most of which have several pick-up locations:

• Aloha Redland, Homestead: https://www.aloharedland.com/csa
• Tiny Farm, Miami: https://www.tinyfarmmiami.com/csa
• Paradise Farms, Homestead/Miami: https://sacredspacemiami.com/pages/csa-info
• Fruitful Farms, Pompano Beach: http://thefruitfulfield.org/gardenshares
• Urban Farming Institute Farm Share Adventure, Oakland Park: http://www.ufi.us.org/programs/farm-share-adventure-csa/

Both locals and visitors can experience the best of South Florida’s offerings by going to a farmers market or seafood market, of which there are many. It’s a great way to get outside while supporting local farmers, fishermen, and suppliers! Also, local delicacies like snapper, mussels, and grouper all contain anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fatty acids, so you’ll be getting your daily dose should you choose to dine at one of the accompanying seafood restaurants. Check out these markets out the next time you’re looking for a fun weekend activity:

• Coconut Grove Saturday Organic Farmers Market

10am-7pm every Saturday

https://glaserorganicfarms.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=8

• Florida Keys Farmers Market

10am-3pm every Sunday

http://floridakeysfarmersmarket.com/

• Pembroke Pines Farmers Market

11am-5pm every Sunday

https://pembrokegardens.com/events/farmers-market-2/

• Brutus Seafood Market, Marathon

https://www.brutusseafood.com/

• Casablanca Seafood Market, Miami

https://www.casablancafishmarket.com/about

CSAs, farmers markets, and fish markets are just some of the ways to experience the region. Check out one of the restaurants sourcing their ingredients locally or pick your own produce at one of the region’s farms. Local or tourist, everyone can eat well in South Florida!

References
Edible South Florida. https://ediblesouthflorida.ediblecommunities.com/

Photo by Alexander Schimmeck on Unsplash