Lakewood Ranch Farmers' Market offers produce and information

By Lesley Dwyer
| 1:30 p.m. June 1, 2025

East County
Neighbors

Even though watermelons were piled high, bread and cookies were freshly baked, and paella was sizzling in a pan the size of a kiddie pool, a garbage can was stealing the show at the Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch on Sunday at Waterside Place.

Mary Oquendo, recycling coordinator for Manatee County, and Nate Masengale, a Solid Waste Division operator, set up a booth to answer resident questions and display Manatee County’s new “big bin” alongside the existing recycling bin.

“We bring both so people see the size,” Oquendo said. “It’s not as bad as people think it is. When they look at it, they’re saying it’s a little longer, but it’s not that wide, so it’s kind of changing their mind from that sticker shock, or rather size shock.”

Being that the Lakewood Ranch Farmers’ Market is so popular, Manatee County is unable to attend the market every Sunday because there’s not always space for them. However, Oquendo started bringing the big bin out in January and will continue through the rollout in October.

While other events, such as Ranch Nite Wednesday, take a hiatus for summer, the Farmers' Market is year round. Vendors set up from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday along Lakefront Drive in Waterside Place.

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Mary Oquendo, the recycling coordinator for Manatee County, shows off the "big bin."

Elsie Williams stands with a loaf from Bread Bandits in front of her sisters Lainey and Penny Williams, her mom Kelly Williams and her grandma Nancy Moran.

Lakewood Ranch 9-year-old Leo Trupiano cools down with a coconut water.

A steady stream of residents stop by Manatee County's booth to ask questions about the impending changes to garbage service.

Sarasota musician Billy Lyon entertains the crowd solo. Normally he plays with The Billy Lyon Band.

San Andres, Spain's Chef Efrain Martinez is serving the national dish of Spain — paella.

Cindy Unzicker of Bite Me Cookies by Cindy is offering samples of her homemade, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.

Parrish's Emily and Josie Bonfiglio enjoy a couple cocktails from Agave Bandido before wandering through the market.

No fruit says summer more than watermelon.

Parrish's Debbie Kay stops to ask a couple questions at Aqutra Products, which sells succulents and air plants in handmade epoxy resin plant hangers.

Matthew Olson says all the Stamper Cheese comes from Wisconsin.

author

Lesley Dwyer

Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.