Local Sources

For a small island, we have some great resources for locally made foods, fresh produce, and specialty items. In the last year or so, Key West's non-restaurant food scene has really taken off.

When I first moved here, Annie's Buying Club (www.anniesbuyingclub.com) was the first thing I found. For a really reasonable price (especially compared to how much something like this would have cost in Maryland) you can choose from the various boxes of organic produce (fruit only, paleo, whole or half share, etc) for weekly pick up at sites around the island.

Next I discovered Help Yourself (www.helpyourselffoods.com) on Fleming Street. This natural-food restaurant and shop has really expanded since then, with the retail space now offering a selection of fresh organic produce daily. Plus I can find many of the things I used to purchase at my beloved food co-op in Frederick, The Common Market, like organic vitamins, teas, cleaning products, etc. And their smoothies and juices rock.

Sugar Apple (www.sugarapplekeywest.com) on Simonton Street has been in Key West the longest, and it's a place I need to explore more, especially the tiny cafe/juice bar attached. They offer every type of supplement/vitamin/herbal remedy you can think of and the staff is very knowledgeable.

The entire island was thrilled last year when the Restaurant Store started filling their large parking lot area with food purveyors, vendors, and crafters on the first Sunday of the month. This Key West Artisan Market (look them up on Facebook) is like a little party, and I just love it. Taste some wine and cheese, shop the local crafters (Kdub Designz, Guilded Peach, SALT Provisions, etc), and have some lunch. There are several vendors each month selling food to eat there or take home, including some really great barbecue from Tennessee Steve's, tacos from Death by Tako, and special soups and sandwiches from Cole's Peace.

The fresh produce has really expanded at this event (they drive up to the markets in Homestead and Plant City for pick up), and the flower vendors make it feel like a big-city market to me. I never leave without some flowers for the table, some killer mozzarella from my friend Mozzarella Mark, fresh-made pasta from Pasta Pailloux, pantry items from the Pickle Baron, and whatever else strikes my fancy.My husband's friend Mundy the Pirate sells  local shrimp and fish and if he's got the big red shrimp, I always get some.

When I first heard about the Key West Green Market (look them up on Facebook) last spring, coming to Bayview Park every other Thursday, my first concern was for the Artisan Market....oh no, can little KW support two similar markets? Well the answer is a resounding YES to that - locals love them both and have supported them so well that both have grown and expanded.

Key West Green Market has become so popular that is is now open EVERY Thursday from 9 to 2. Bring some shopping bags for fresh Florida produce, the basics plus some unusual Caribbean stuff. And bring an appetite for Indian, Greek, Conch Ceviche, Gumbo, Pulled Pork and much, much more. The Empanada Lady's empanadas are outstanding, with the blue cheese/caramelized onion/walnut version our personal favorite. The new Italian cheese/meat/olive vendor has some great stuff too. It's all great stuff, really. Served up with a smile and a hug for the regulars in true Key West style.