Growing Green
A weekly local market thrives under the Fort Myers sun
It is a typical Saturday morning in Lee County. The sun is shining, and trees and shrubs seem to rejoice in lushness. From McGregor Boulevard, a group of yoga enthusiasts can be seen practicing the ancient discipline en plein air with a lineup of white tents and curious strollers for backdrop. The grass surrounding the buildings on the Alliance for the Arts campus supplies the perfect setting for a very special community gathering, appropriately called the Alliance for the Arts GreenMarket.
For almost four years, local farmer Bob Donnelly has been a vendor at the popular outdoor market. He produces and sells earthworm castings, which is compost commonly used as a ground fertilizer, along with tropical plants and herbs and hybrid hydroponics components. Donnelly, who operates under the name B& D Organics, considers himself a Southwest Floridian, because he has been living in the area for 35 years. He has been a vendor at the GreenMarket since i ts beginnings and sees the event as the perfect place to sell his goods.
“I just love it,” says Donnelly. “It is not a pushand- shove event, and everyone is laid back
THE ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS SPONSORS THIS COLORFUL BAZAAR AND PROVIDES THE PERFECT SETTING AND CONVENIENT LOCATION.
here. It is also great that we can set up and sell all year long,” he adds, referring to the uniqueness of the event when compared with other seasonal markets in the area, which usually operate between October and April.
Produce vendor Horace Brittain appreciates the market as much as Donnelly. He also has been involved with the GreenMarket for three years, selling his locally grown fruits and vegetables. An every- Saturday presence, Brittain sets up shop in the far- reaching shade of a magnificent mango tree. His produce brings a splash of color with vibrant red peppers, tomatoes, various legumes, different kinds of lettuces and other delightful vegetables displayed in modest baskets and trays.
Brittain’s farm is located in east Fort Myers, just before Alva. That’s where he cultivates the immense variety of produce he offers to the community every Saturday. “This area, being subtropical, allows us farmers to grow most fruits and vegetables all year long,” says Brittain. “Since the cost for fertilizers, soil preparedness and other elements increases during certain parts of the year, we adapt and grow other produce in order to take advantage of the yearround climate.”
The Alliance for the Arts started the GreenMarket in 2010 in collaboration with a group of dedicated individuals who saw the need for an event of its kind. Santiago De Choch has been the market manager for the weekly event since its inception. A local farmer himself, he is passionate about the mission of promoting locally grown and manufactured products. He gained expertise in the field by traveling the world as a volunteer for farming projects, something he has loved since his younger years while living in his native Argentina.
“Local artists and crafters are also a very important part of the market,” says De Choch. “We have a great variety of vendors, and we are grateful to have the Alliance for the Arts as our main sponsor.”
De Choch, who is known by everyone as “Santi,” describes the event as a great success, but it was not always easy. “The first year was a bit of a struggle, but nowadays we are lucky to count on the support of the community, and we are extremely thankful
THIS AREA, BEING SUBTROPICAL, ALLOWS US FARMERS TO GROW MOST FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ALL YEAR LONG.”
— HORACE BRITTAIN, GREENMARKET VENDOR
for that,” he says, as a large crowd of enthusiastic visitors strolls the long sidewalk between the Alliance’s main building and the Edwards building, which houses artists’ studios on its second floor.
Caroline Hostetler, who sells local and imported cheeses and breads at the market, and local farmer Ken Ryan were also essential in the creation of the weekly event. The Alliance for the Arts sponsors this colorful bazaar and provides the perfect setting and convenient location. Musician Chip Withrow, another longtime supporter of the affair, currently organizes the open- mic sessions that happen on the fourth Saturday of every month.
The GreenMarket may be fairly petite in terms of area and vendor quantities, but it counts on an immense variety of offerings such as local organic produce, honey, potted plants, as well as artistic crafts like handmade soaps, beaded jewelry, fabrics, artworks and much more. Food truck vendors offer yet another exciting chance for visitors to try the flavors of the area.
Because of the affordability of the vendor’s fee and the flexible nature of the event, the number of vendors varies from Saturday to Saturday, as some participate only during certain months of the year while others prefer a more permanent presence. Other GreenMarket diversities include the musical performances and gardening classes scheduled on different Saturdays of the month.
The Alliance for the Arts GreenMarket, 10091 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, opens every Saturday from 9 a. m. to 1 p. m. More information can be found at artinlee. org. David Acevedo is a visual artist, curator, former gallery owner, arts writer and current manager of The Union Artist Studios on the Alliance for the Arts campus.