TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Fresh produce, eggs and seafood from local farmers will be available this fall at the Southside Farmers Market, which is returning for its eighth year in Tallahassee’s Greater Bond neighborhood.
The market is scheduled to operate from 2-6 p.m. at the Walker-Ford Community Center, 2301 T-Pain Lane. Hours are subject to change because of inclement weather, and the market is expected to add more features and services over time, with monthly updates and special events.
Organizers describe the market as focused on serving the nearby community by providing easier access to fresh fruits and vegetables, along with free health and wellness screenings. The market is also accepting SNAP/EBT.
The market’s stated mission is “to provide a fresh food market to the Southside community that improves access to and reinforces healthy food options for community well-being,” with a vision of becoming “a self-sustaining market that provides access to healthy food and engagement for the Southside community.”
The market was created in response to parts of the Southside being considered food deserts, described as urban areas where it is difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food. The City Commission approved funding in 2015 to establish a farmers market on Tallahassee’s south side. A small market was established but later diminished. In 2018, the city received a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for training and resources to operate a farmers market and rejuvenate the Southside Farmers Market. More recently, the market received a $5,000 grant from the Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida.
The City of Tallahassee has collaborated with local residents, community partners and local health care providers to establish the revamped market, including Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, CarePoint Health & Wellness, Neighborhood Medical Services, Bond Health Care Center, Whole Child Leon, University of Florida/IFAS, Tallahassee Food Network and Second Harvest of the Big Bend.
Partners listed for the market include the City of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Feeding Florida Fresh Access Bucks Program and Invest Health/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Supporters include the Greater Bond Neighborhood Association, Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida, Foundation for Leon County Schools, Neighborhood Medical Center, Care Point Health & Wellness Center, Bond Community Health Center, Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Whole Child Leon, Tallahassee Food Network, Frenchtown Heritage Market, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Leon County Extension (UF/IFAS), Florida A&M University and the Florida Department of Health.
2026 fall season dates and themes are:
March 26: Welcome Back
April 9: Start Your Own Home Garden
April 23: Earth Day
May 14: Mental Health Awareness
May 28: Bicycle Safety Awareness
June 11: Summer Harvest
June 25: Beat the Heat
July: Market Hiatus
Aug. 13: Farmers Market Appreciation
Aug. 27: Back to School
Sept. 10: Team Spirit
Sept. 24: Good Neighbor Day
Oct. 8: Go Pink Market Day
Oct. 22: Fall Harvest
Nov. 12: Salute to Veterans
Nov. 19: Give Thanks
Dec. 3: Community Safety/Fire Prevention
Dec. 10: Holiday Happiness
Organizers say a variety of squashes and melons will be available.