Indoor Farmers Market returns
Vendors again congregate Sunday at Celine to show off products.
Were you among the nearly 1,600 lucky locals who made it through the door for the Daily City’s Indoor Farmers Market last month?
Folks lined up around the block to get into the hip, twostory space, with some clocking impressive waits to enjoy wares ranging from microgreens to cured meats to mimosas and other specialty cocktails at the market’s two working bars. This weekend, you’ll have another opportunity to take a bite of this cushy, air-conditioned apple of Orlando-local commerce.
The second event is slated for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday — again at Celine (22 S. Magnolia Ave. in Orlando).
It’s safe to say the concept, which spun from the mind of Daily City owner Mark Baratelli, has been embraced by the locals.
“Some people appreciate and enjoy a curated farmers market partnered with mimosas, desserts and lunch,” he says, and plans to appreciate them right back are in the works as well. “There will be surprises in store for the folks waiting in line. For example, 100 lucky people will be getting gift cards to The Glass Knife.”
Wild Ocean Market, featuring wild-caught, local seafood and house-smoked fish dip, will be among the returning vendors.
“It was really highly attended,” said Cinthia Sandoval, fishmonger and marketing director for Wild Ocean. She enjoys introducing their products to new customers.
“We have a lot of regulars at the community market in Audubon Park, but I’d say 90 percent of the people I met at the Indoor Farmers Market had never heard of us.”
She sold more than expected. “Fish isn’t a mainstream protein,” she notes, “so it’s a little different for us than vendors who sell produce.”
One such vendor, Nearby Naturals, catches loads of interest from passersby with its wares, which read like a Science Fair exhibit to many.
“My fiancée and I have been in the restaurant industry in Orlando for a combined 20 years and could never find quality local mushrooms,” says cofounder Sam Turner. “After going to culinary school in Bangkok, Thailand, I learned to love a variety of mushrooms and decided to start a small grow here.”
It soon mushroomed — pun intended, why not — into a full-blown commercial farm. They now supply a vast array of exotic mushrooms to some of the city’s most well-known eateries, including Luma, Prato, Kadence, Kabooki Sushi, Hunger Street Tacos, Orlando Meats, Morimoto Asia and more.
What will they be bringing to market this weekend?
“We’ll have more variety (than last time) including new ones that no one else in Florida is cultivating right now, if they behave. We harvest our mushrooms the morning of the market for optimum freshness, so it is difficult to say exactly what we’ll have — but we’ll have a lot!”
Important to note due to the event’s popularity, no dogs or strollers will be allowed, as space is at a premium. It’s simply a case of giving guests more room, says Baratelli.
“We’ve also adjusted the layout of tables, decreased venue capacity and edited the admissions process,” he notes.
Once the venue reaches capacity, a line will form and guests will be allowed inside in small groups. All ages are welcome and in addition to the stairs, there is a small elevator (56 x 41 in.) on site.
The number of vendors has increased from 23 to 31.
Market vendors
■ Pastured Life Farm: Eggs, chicken, pork and turkey
■ Orlando Meats: Beef and pork
■ Wild Ocean Seafood: Fish, shrimp, dip
■ Nearby Naturals: Urban mushroom farm
■ Kalera: Vertically farmed, organic, hydroponic produce
■ Microganic Farm: Microgreens
■ Frog Song Organics: In-season organic produce
■ Fermentilicious: Fermented foods, ghee, yogurt, tonics
■ Orlando City Kombucha
■ Bee Friends Farm: Jacksonville honey
■ The Nutty Peanut: Nut spreads
■ Smiling Goat Goods: Jam
■ Pea Pod Pierogie Company
■ Sunshine Canning: Pickles and jams
■ Katinka’s Nourishing Kitchen: Bread mixes
■ Downtown CREDO: Hot coffee, coffees
■ Wavelength Coffee: Cold-brewed coffee
■ Yaupon Tea: Boxed teas
■ Kashaya Yogurt: Bottled yogurt
■ 1:29 Plants First: Spreads
■ Plants and Pamperin: Plants
■ Second Harvest Food Bank: Soup
■ Paleo Bakery
■ CayCakes Bakery: Vegan
■ Fig & Flour Bakery: Vegan and traditional bakery
■ The Greenery Creamery: Ice cream, vegan and traditional
■ Chef Michelle Hulbert: Bakery
■ Trisha’s Keto Kravings: Keto Bakery
■ Poke Hana: (Lunch) Poke bowls
■ Avenue A Eatery: (Lunch) Vegan empanadas
■ Tamale Co.: (Lunch) Tamales and tacos