History of the Market City of West Palm Beach

History of the Market

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LISTEN:
From its humble beginnings to 3-time consecutive winner of Best Farmers Market in America, Community Events Manager Mary Pinak walks us through the GreenMarket's story:

	After visiting public markets throughout Europe, former Mayor Nancy Graham envisioned a weekly greenmarket for downtown West Palm Beach. She imagined a gathering place not only for buying fresh produce from local farmers, but also as a destination to see friends and interact with neighbors. “In the greenmarkets I visited, people selling the produce knew their shoppers’ names, and the shoppers could ask questions about the products,” Graham commented.
In November 1995, the first West Palm Beach GreenMarket - and the first weekly, public farmers market in all of Palm Beach County - opened, featuring 13 vendors, and took place in the parking lot of the Old City Hall. With no actual farmers available with fresh produce for the first couple of weeks, City staff purchased fruits and vegetables - and resold them until local farmers had crops to bring to the market. Despite the original location and small selection, the GreenMarket was a hit! Residents and visitors loved the GreenMarket and made it a part of their weekly routine.
	By the end of the second season, the Market outgrew the parking lot space and moved to Narcissus Avenue and 2nd Street, where it operated with about 45 vendors throughout the 2009-2010 season. In October 2010, the GreenMarket relocated and expanded to its current, scenic home on the new West Palm Beach Waterfront. The Waterfront's lovely trellises and plazas, not to mention the breathtaking views and Intracoastal breeze, are the ideal for hosting 125+ vendors and organizations annually.
Having secured their spots through a competitive, annual jury process, the West Palm Beach GreenMarket vendors are the finest in South Florida, offering a variety of local food and products. In addition to serving as the premier place to stock up on everything from fresh produce and flowers to doughnuts and cheese, the Market has become a community gathering spot. Patrons attend for the relaxed atmosphere, live music, incomparable coastal views from the Waterfront commons, and a place to meet with friends, family...and dogs! The GreenMarket is leashed dog-friendly!
	On October 5, 2019, West Palm Beach kicked off its 125th anniversary during the opening of the GreenMarket's own 25th season. Mayor Keith James and local dignitaries placed items and artifacts into a "thyme" capsule, including current zoning maps of the city, t-shirts, newspaper articles and postcards. Former mayors including Rep. Lois Frankel, Mayor Nancy Graham, and Mayor Jeri Muoio were present to celebrate, as well as current and former city commissioners.
Given the challenges brought by COVID-19, the October 3, 2020 GreenMarket opening day was particularly meaningful. In many ways it was the first time we connected again as a community after a long period of isolation. Social distancing, masks, and the absence of ancillary activities for the first time in the market's history added to everyone's sentiment about the pandemic: SQUASH 2020.
	The West Palm Beach GreenMarket has been awarded more than four dozen awards over its 29 year history, including recognitions by New Times magazine in its Best Of issue, the Best Market in Florida by Cooking Light Magazine, and most notably, a consecutive 3-year win of the USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice poll for the #1 Best Farmers Market in the United States.

For more information call (561) 822-1515. Want to receive emails about our upcoming events? Email events@wpb.org with "Events Eblast" in the subject line and you'll always be in-the-know! City events are subject to change or cancellation. After hours, please call (561) 822-2222 for cancellation information.

100 North Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Tel: (561) 822-1515 | TTY: (800) 955-8771

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History of the Market