Sarasota Farmers Market Ranks First Nationally
The Saturday market earned the top spot in the 2026 America's Farmers Market Celebration People's Choice rankings based on public voting.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Organic Food
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The Sarasota Farmers Market placed first nationally in the 2026 America's Farmers Market Celebration People's Choice rankings, receiving 10,728 votes. The Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch finished second with 10,065 votes.
Why it matters
The ranking reflects public support for a market that has operated as a Saturday institution in Sarasota since 1979. The result gives local vendors and shoppers a national profile for the region's farmers market scene.
The rankings were based on public voting held from August 1 through September 30, 2026, and Mt. Washington, Kentucky, received more total votes at 11,571 but was barred from first place under eligibility rules. The total number of votes cast across all participating markets was not reported.
The players
American Farmland Trust
American Farmland Trust is a national nonprofit organization focused on protecting farmland and promoting sustainable agriculture, and it runs the America's Farmers Market Celebration.
Christine Nordstrom
Christine Nordstrom serves as board chair of the Sarasota Farmers Market.
The details
The America's Farmers Market Celebration, run by American Farmland Trust, decided the 2026 People's Choice rankings entirely through public voting. Mt. Washington, a Kentucky market, was named Community Champion because eligibility rules prevented it from taking another first-place title, which cleared the way for Sarasota to claim the national crown.
Timeline
August 1 through September 30, 2026: Public voting period for the People's Choice rankings
1979: The Sarasota Farmers Market became a Saturday institution
Season Trajectory
The People's Choice rankings are determined by public voting administered by American Farmland Trust, which places local farmers markets in a national competition. Sarasota's first-place finish follows the market's long run as a Saturday institution since 1979.
Sarasota residents can shop at the Saturday market, which has operated since 1979 and drew enough public support to rank first nationally in 2026. Shoppers in the Lakewood Ranch area can visit the market at Waterside Place, which finished second in the same rankings.
The takeaway
Local farmers markets with strong community followings can gain regional and national recognition through public voting programs. Residents who want to support local agriculture can find produce and goods at markets like the one on Main Street and Lemon Avenue in Sarasota.
Further reading
Explore more on organic food and local produce options in the Sarasota area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WENG 98.1FM, 107.5 FM & 1530 AM.
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