If you’re a West Palm Beach local, chances are you are among the thousands of people walking up and down Clematis Street on Saturdays, anytime between 8:30 am and 1:30 pm. What’s the attraction? The West Palm Beach GreenMarket.
What started as a small farmers market in the fall of 1995 on the parking lot of West Palm Beach’s City Hall with only 13 vendors, including Havana Restaurant and Cider Donuts, now has over 150 vendors offering a plethora of goods.
The WPB GreenMarket, which runs from October until May, has won many awards. Some include the recognitions in the New York Times magazine “Best of Issue” and “Best Market in Florida by Cooking Light” Magazine. But the WPB GreenMarket is most known for their three year win of USA Today “10 Best Readers’ Choice poll for the #1 Best Farmers Market in the United States.”
The main attraction is its location. It runs through large parts of the waterfront and up to Clematis Street 400 Block and parts of Olive Avenue, which runs north and south of Clematis, the heart of West Palm Beach!
Most of the goods, including vegetables, flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables, and plants come straight out of the farm. But that was not always the case. In fact, during the first few weeks of the WPB Greenmarket, there were no actual farmers. To solve this problem, the city bought fresh fruits and vegetables, then sold the produce to the farmers so they could have crops to sell at the market.
Today, this city gem has a number of farms bringing in their freshly grown goods, in addition to the small businesses that sell a myriad of things. From Spanish empanadas to Italian breads, olive oil, and delicious Mozzarella cheese to Mediterranean spices, American BBQ, and Greek cheeses, to a plethora of many other kinds of foods, drinks, clothing, shoes, plants, magazines, art, sports equipment–the WPB Greenmarket is a community favorite.
On any given Saturday, you are bound to see thousands of locals and travelers at the WPB Greenmarket shopping, eating, and simply enjoying a day outdoors with an amazing waterfront as their backdrop.
Everybody is welcome, including well-behaved furry friends. Now in its 31st season, the Market continues to offer a lively place for the community to gather and support each other. If you’re not doing anything on Saturday mornings, come to the WPB GreenMarket! You won’t be disappointed.
