by Deborah Dolen, local author, Bradenton, FL 

The Bradenton Farmer's Market is back for the season 2011-2012.  The Bradenton Farmer's Market is open every Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.   The Bradenton Farmer's Market runs until well into May of each year, being closed for the summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  The Bradenton Farmer's market welcomes dogs and visitors will see many beautiful dogs being walked in the market. 

My dog Ringo and I have been huge supporters of the Bradenton Farmer's Market until 2007 when I moved briefly to Houston-only to be hit by Hurricane Ike in 2008.  Now home, I am active once again with the Bradenton Farmer's Market.  This last Saturday Ringo Dawg and I cruised over and walked with a few other golden retrievers.  Ringo was rescued from Katrina, a big red dog pressing 95 pounds, with huge web paws-children cannot help but want to ride him.

Very comforting to see the Bradenton Farmer's Market back in action on a cool and slightly breezy morning.  There were a lot of vendors which is always important to a good market.  One of my favorite merchants was a family who made real fresh squeezed lemonade.  Two daughters, Hannah and Leah, Parents Tina and Glenn.  They had a very busy operation making genuine squeezed lemonade and the kids were able to learn industry as well as quality customer service.  The lemons were actually organic! 

Making Lemonade Using the Whole Lemon 

I explained they could facilitate the whole lemon and it would result in double lemon juice production as well as a better product.  I had seen a company do this at a World Fair and tried it at home.  They simply cut organic lemons in half and macerated the whole fruit.  It was awesome, imparting some quality essential oils of the lemon rind with it.  The equipment enabling me to do this is the new "Ninja" blender that has three blades going up the router.  6 Lemons, cut in half, 3 quarts of distilled water, blend it up and strain with a metal mesh coffee type filter, two cups of Splenda is my recipe.  Lemon is so great for the digestive tract and very alkalizing to the entire body.  I make a gallon every week.

Autumn at the Bradenton Farmer's Market

Back to the fun at the Bradenton Farmer's Market, I met my Assistant and had breakfast with her and her red Golden Retriever.  There are many little bake shops open that line the perimeter of the market.   The streets are all old brick set and paver bricks.  It is so fun, like eating at a bed and breakfast and then shopping to see the many gifted artists that display their wares at the Bradenton Farmers Market. 

I will be there every Saturday Morning as my schedule permits.  Supporting your local community and artists is so paramount as we enter economic challanges - happiness will be defined by what support each community has for its residents, or "neighbor."  It is your chance to get out and sincerely meet other people...even if you don't live in Bradenton, FL!  :)

Many thanks to Kevin and Catherine who now run the market.  Thanks also to Mayor Wayne Poston, his wife Mickey. 

Deborah Dolen author also loves the Sarasota Farmers Market in Sarasota, FL.  See Deborah Dolen at Sarasota Farmer's Market in Sarasota FLorida Decemebr 14th, 2011.

Click here to see more images of Bradenton Farmer's market taken by Deborah Dolen Photo Credits in this article, photographer Deborah Dolen.  Join Deborah Dolen on Facebook or follow Deborah Dolen on Twitter!  Click here to view Deborah Dolens Library.

For a more recent article about the Bradenton Farmer's Market, click here.  http://open.salon.com/blog/mabel_white/2011/10/25/deborah_dolen_visits_bradenton_farmers_market