When James Myrtetus moved to Sarasota last year after graduating from Florida State University, he said he wanted a nice place to live with a strong sense of community.
He quickly discovered what Sarasota residents and longtime visitors have known for more than 45 years.
"The Sarasota Farmers Market isn’t just a marketplace. It’s a cornerstone of community in Sarasota," Myrtetus told the Herald-Tribune.
Now the whole country knows.
The year-round Sarasota Farmers Market, held Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., was just named the No. 1 farmers market in America, earning the People’s Choice Award in American Farmland Trust’s 18th annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration.
The nationwide contest ranked the top 10 U.S. farmers markets after two months
of online voting, with the Sarasota Farmers Market receiving 10,728 votes.
"The vendors, many of whom have spent years side by side, greet each other like old friends," Myrtetus said in a letter to the editor. "As a new resident, they welcomed me, too ... Those same vendors are now the ones I return to, week after week, for both goods and conversation."
The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch – last year's national champ – finished No. 2 with 10,065 votes. Rounding out the top 5 were the Coventry (CT) Farmers Market, Charlottesville (VA) Farmers Market, and Arlington Heights (IL) Farmers Market.
"This award reflects the heart of our market: Our dedicated team and the local farmers and small businesses who bring their passion and creativity to Waterside Place, and the thousands of guests who make us part of their Sunday tradition," said Nicole Hackel, events manager for the Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch.
The America’s Farmers Market Celebration is the only annual ranking for farmers markets in the United States that is decided by public voting. A total of 1,896 markets nationwide participated in the 2026 contest with over 116,687 votes.
“I’ve always regarded our market as the gem of Sarasota," said Christine Nordstrom, chair of the Sarasota Farmers Market board of directors. "For 47 years, it has been part of the fabric of this community – a place where generations of people have spent their Saturday mornings, where our farmers and small businesses have grown, and where Sarasota comes together. We’ve always known how special it is, but to now be named the No. 1 farmers market in America is just incredible."
American Farmland Trust president and CEO John Piotti said the annual rankings honor farmers markets for the role they play in creating vibrant communities.
"People across the country value the farmers, market leaders, and local businesses that help their communities thrive," Piotti said. "This recognition can bring new shoppers, stronger partnerships, and greater visibility to markets while helping farmers build viable businesses and stay on the land."
Established in 1979, the Sarasota Farmers Market (1 N. Lemon Ave.) – centered around North Lemon Avenue and Main Street – unites local farmers, food producers, artisans, small businesses and nonprofit organizations every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, in the heart of downtown Sarasota.
“I'm incredibly proud of this achievement, not just as an organization, but as a community,” said Kelvin Camacho, executive director of the Sarasota Farmers Market. “We have always known how amazing our farmers, vendors, sponsors and supporters are, and now the rest of the country gets to see what makes our market and our community so special."
In addition to supporting the local economy, the Sarasota Farmers Market creates opportunities for residents and visitors to gather, connect, and experience the best of the region. The market also received a $2,500 award to support marketing and communications.
"This honor belongs to our farmers, our vendors and every person who has supported this market over the years and especially everyone who showed up and voted for us," Nordstrom said. "I couldn’t be prouder of where we are today, and I honestly can’t think of a better way to celebrate 47 years.”
If you go
Sarasota Farmers Market is held 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays in downtown on Lemon Avenue at Main Street. For more information, visit sarasotafarmersmarket.org.
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota Farmers Market named No. 1 in America
