The Suncoast now has the top two farmers markets in the country, at least by popular vote. The Sarasota Farmers Market placed first nationally in the 2026 America’s Farmers Market Celebration People’s Choice rankings with 10,728 votes, and the Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch finished second with 10,065. The celebration is run by American Farmland Trust and decided entirely by public voting held from August 1 through September 30.
A Kentucky market, Mt. Washington, actually collected the most votes overall at 11,571, but eligibility rules barred it from another first-place title, so it was named Community Champion. That cleared the way for downtown Sarasota, a Saturday institution since 1979, to take the national crown. Board chair Christine Nordstrom says the market is reconnecting with its roots through new leadership, a carefully chosen vendor mix, more farmers and growers, and programming for families.
For locals, the practical takeaway is simple: Sarasota runs Saturdays 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Main Street and Lemon Avenue, and Lakewood Ranch runs Sundays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Waterside Place with more than 100 vendors, live music, and kids’ activities. Both are year-round. Have you made the two-market weekend yet, and which one is your regular stop?
