Dear Community,

Thank you for the warm welcome over the last week, it is a dream to be the Executive Director of such an amazing Non Profit Organization in sunny Sarasota! This week, as a way to get to know our family of Vendors, I started a new initiative called "Market Stars". This is an opportunity for me to connect with the team, get up close and personal with their products and highlight at least two of them every week in this Newsletter!

Today, allow me to introduce to you the owners of Lou's Bonsai and the Caribbean Pie Co. Read on below to learn more about these businesses and get a preview of what is to come at tomorrow's Farmers Market including: sunrise yoga, TWO live musicians and THREE local non-profits. Celebrate Sarasota every week at your favorite local Farmers Market and don't forget to visit me at the information booth this week, on the corner of Main Street and Lemon Ave from 7 am until 1 pm!

With love and gratitude, Amber Rusch
Market Stars
Lou's Bonsai
Caribbean Pie Company
Lou's Bonsai: After discovering his passion for plants Lou decided to leave his long time corporate job and started the bonsai business in 1997. Lou is a big believer in giving back to the community and helping where he can. In fact, most of his employees have been homeless, are single mothers, or folks who just need a second chance. Lou's Bonsai has been part of the Sarasota Farmers Market since 2009.

Visit Lou on Lemon Ave for indoor bonsai trees and other exotic plants. Be sure to follow them on INSTAGRAM + FACEBOOK to get a sneak peek at his beautiful products!
Caribbean Pie Co: Jerry & Shari Rogers, the owners of Caribbean Pie Company, offer individual and wholesale offerings of pies, tarts, fudge, cheesecakes and other treats. They have been selling award winning Key Lime Pie for the last 30 years in the Sarasota area. Their sweet treats have been available at the Sarasota Farmers Market since 2015.

You can find the Caribbean Pie Co on Lemon Ave every Saturday, just south of State Street.

Indulge your senses by following their drool worthy INSTAGRAM + FACEBOOK accounts.
Featured Non Profits
Embracing Our Differences
Duette Animal Rescue
WSLR + Fogartyville
Since 2004, Embracing Our Differences has been a nonprofit organization that uses the power of art and education to expand consciousness and open the heart to celebrate the diversity of the human family. One way they accomplish this is through their annual international art exhibition in Sarasota’s Bayfront Park. The juried exhibit consists of 50 billboard-sized works of art, each accompanied by an inspirational quote.
Learn more about this event by clicking here and find out more about how you can get involved by visiting their booth tomorrow in spot #20.
Duette Animal Rescue Team was founded in 2020 in Manatee County after learning about the challenges with the overpopulation of feral and stray community cats as well as the plight for exotic ex-pets. DART is an all-volunteer animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing stray, feral and surrendered domestic cats, exotic small pets such as lemurs, kinkajous, marmosets, coatimundi and other small mammals. DART works with a network of zoo's, private owners, zoo staff, volunteer advocates, foster caregivers, local veterinarians, trainers and other animal shelters to provide these animals with behavioral rehabilitation and care.

Be sure to stop by their booth this weekend (spot #15) or check out adoption opportunities by clicking here.
WSLR Inc. was formed in 2004 to govern the operation of a 100 watt low-power, non-commercial community radio station. The Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center produces over 60 live concerts a year, host over 35 educational events, and provide low-cost space to like-minded non-profit organizations.

Together 
WSLR+Fogartyville celebrate and promote the creative, cultural and political vitality of the local community. Don't miss an electrifying blend of incredible live music, amazing artists and musicians, head-spinning spoken-word poets, a sizzling DJ mix and networking on Saturday, March 12 at the GBM Soul Cafe Artists Showcase and Spoken Word Open Mic.

Representatives from WSLR+Fogartyville will be set up in spot #65 at the Farmers Market tomorrow.
Featured Entertainment
Aubrey Ruth
The Band Castelli
Sample Aubrey's music HERE or see her perform LIVE tomorrow on State Street + Lemon Ave.
Sample The Band Castelli's music HERE or see them perform LIVE tomorrow on 1st Street + Lemon Ave.
Market Map for March 5 2022
Thank you for supporting SFM!
Every purchase you make at the Market supports an independent, local business. The Sarasota Farmers Market is open rain or shine from 7 am - 1 pm, every Saturday!

You can find individual vendor contact information on our website