Fort Myers Downtown Farmers’ Market

I think that our farmers market in Nashville has gotten me a little spoiled. They recently changed what was considered local at the Nashville market & they no longer allow places to sell the fruit with the UPC stickers on it. This market here in Fort Myers sells fruit & veg with UPC stickers on them. It’s probably the same fruit you can buy at Winn-​Dixie or Publix. I understand that some fruits are out of season at different times, but the idea of a «farmers market» is to have produce from farmers.
This farmers market is located under a bridge. The parking is located on a lot under the bridge as well. We arrived around 11am on Thursday (the market is open 7:30am-2pm on Thursdays) & we had to hunt for a spot for a little. There was two food trucks & a BBQ stand set up. They had a few local honey places, & some random «as seen on TV» items. I saw some fade clothing, Tupperware & a few stands selling microgreens. The microgreens are probably the only items that are actually from the area.
Overall I wasn’t that impressed with the size or selection of the items available at this «farmers market». Maybe it was because I came in June, but I think the Cape Coral farmers market is a MUCH better market, but it’s only available in the winter/​spring months.

Some good vendors and plenty of vegetables and fruit. Prices are good and it’s a great place to pick up flowers for the wife. Some of the vendors are fairly busy but, they’ll give you the time to speak with them (unlike a comment below).
Plenty of parking around that end of Fort Myers and I don’t mind it being under the bridge. It keeps it shaded during the hot summer we have. And since it’s fairly open, the river provides a nice breeze compared to markets that may be surrounded by buildings that would block it.
Also, open ALL YEAR! Can’t say that about some of the other Farmer’s Markets in Lee County.

Cool market, Thursdays only. The food options are great, with the Nosh Truck, a Gyro truck, a BBQ smoker, and several more that rotate. There is also a whole stand selling a wide variety of very fresh flowers, and other folks selling things like homemade soap, pasta, etc. there are three stands selling fresh fruit and vegetables, though two of the stands are pretty shameless about also selling you stuff they bought in the store (when the packaging or stickers clearly say Mexico or Virginia or New Jersey on them, I know you didn’t grow them yourself, farmer people). But it is still very much worth a visit; I look forward to it every Thursday.

Unfortunate location under bridge, but it is next to Caloosahatchee riverfront Centenial Park. Fresh local fruits, veggies & flowers. Easy parking.

Totally disappointing. Maybe I’m used to the abundance of excellent farmer’s markets in Boston but this one was gross (dirty and flies everywhere), lacked charm, and was in a crappy location. None of the vendors were talking to any of the customers which was a turnoff. The amount of pre-​packaged produce led me to believe this was a supermarket ripoff and mark up type of «farmer’s market» — truly pathetic.
The only positive was the honey guy — who offered me a free sample and actually engaged me and chatted when I asked where the honey came from. Props to that guy.

This is quite a nice farmers’ market. They always have a great selection of of fresh fruits & vegetables.
There are a few negatives, however. The location is pathetic — under (yes under) a bridge. Isn’t this where the homeless are supposed to hang out? Downtown Fort Myers has many nice streets, paved with bricks that could be closed off for this market thereby enticing far more customers not only to the market but to the downtown stores.
The hours are Thursdays year-​round from 7 am to 2 pm. This, of course, entirely precludes the possibility of having booths with prepared foods & meals due to the early hours and lousy location.
It also essentially precludes music makers, that would be an additional draw.
Access and parking is poor.
I repeat that the products are fine and I love to shop at this market, but I just can’t figure out why the downtown Fort Myers people/​merchants/​politicians can’t provide a better location to help energize the downtown area which is so often hopelessly devoid of people. Why shunt this fine asset into a nearly inaccessable corner under a bridge? I don’t get it.