Citizen's Co-op Sunday Market

Ever since moving to Gainesville, my priorities have shifted from "being more" to doing more for my fellow man.  It may sound corny to those of you that have yet to experience Gainesville, but the culture of this city is deeply rooted in humanity.  That being the case, you would probably expect to find several businesses littering the streets that directly reflect Gainesville's principle of community.  As a 10 year resident of this tree city, I can certainly attest to the fact that such places do exist. Among my favorite 352 destinations is Citizen's Co-op.

The Co-op is a full service grocery store and as the website reads it is "owned and operated by and for the benefit of membership and the larger community."  This little treasure located on South Main Street, next door to the Civic Media Center offers Gainesville's citizens a great selection of locally grown produce and locally produced products...soaps, sauerkraut, fresh organic eggs and local goat cheese just to name a few.  My favorite Co-op guilty pleasure is the G'ville Sweets Caramels.
 Unlike the Co-op that Hank joins in King of the Hill, at Citizen's you need not be a member to shop...though membership does afford you a 5% discount at checkout.
 The best thing about this thriving and beautiful market is how it serves the local community by providing whole natural delicious foods while serving as a store front for local food artists to present their jams, cheeses, breads, stocks and sweets to Gainesville locals.  

The Sunday Local Market, located in the Co-op's cozy Courtyard, is a small weekly outdoor bazaar where vendors set up and sell...everything from vintage Pyrex to handmade pot scrubbers, home-made jams to mullet roe and fresh shrimp.  The Local Sunday Market runs from 2-5pm every Sunday and usually includes live performances by local musicians and some very yummy local fare.
If you do plan to come down, make sure to bring some cash and a reusable satchel to stash all your fantastic finds.

So wisen up and come down to the Sunday market for some spectacular local produce from Siembra and Swallowtail Farms, Illegal Jam from Stephanie and some fine Vine Bread from Dean and Teresa (not me)...and the occasional soup or hot dish by yours truly.