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Fresh Flavors Abound At Market

JIM REED/The Tampa Tribune

Olga Santamaria is the organizer of the Brandon Fresh Market. She sports a T-shirt with the markets web site on it. Santamaria sells fresh bread at the market.The weekly market is held out doors at the Winthrop Village shopping center on Saturdays.

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 24, 2007

RIVERVIEW - Comparing wildflower honey produced in local fields to store-bought boiled honey, well, there's just no comparison. At least that is what beekeeper Jason Aiken is banking on.

Aiken, of Zephyrhills, is one of 30-plus vendors at the Brandon Fresh Market, held each Saturday through May at the Winthrop Town Centre off Bloomingdale Avenue and Providence Road.

'It's local honey with bits of wax and pollen still in it. That's what helps give it a special flavor,' said Aiken's girlfriend, Dawn Allison, sitting at her spinning wheel luring youngsters as she spun wool into fine yarn.

'I don't really have a lot of yarn to sell, but it draws people to the honey,' she said, working barefoot in a flowing broomstick skirt. 'Women avoid me. Men are attracted to the wheel because it's a tool Craftsman doesn't sell,' she said, laughing. 'And the kids are fascinated.'

The market opened for the season Oct. 6 and will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

For some who visited recently, the experience evoked memories of places they have lived, where visiting fresh markets was part of their weekly routine.

'I just love this,' said Angela MacIver of Lithia. 'I came last weekend, too. Where my brother lives, in Winston-Salem N.C., this happens all the time. You get used to having it.'

Marnie and Chuck Hulan, also of Lithia, brought their youngsters, Ellie, 7, and Olivia, 5, in search of fresh produce. They purchased fresh wild Florida shrimp and vegetables.

'We used to live in California, and the fresh market would be a regular stop on Sundays. It'd be nice to see more local farmers participating,' Chuck Hulan said.

Organizer Olga Santamaria said she is working on that.

'We've had people tell us they felt like they were in Europe or Disney,' Santamaria said. 'The first week, oh, it was great. But, we're looking to add more, like homemade cheese and handmade candles, things made from the heart.'

Carol Reed, a produce vendor, got plenty of attention with her offerings of bright yellow and red peppers, oranges, huge cantaloupes and popular bright red tomatoes.

'This is much more fun than going to the grocery store,' said Glorya Headrick of Brandon, loading her bag with bananas, tomatoes, fresh garlic and onions.

'I really like this,' said Kathy Flanagan of Brandon. 'They have a lot of nice things, and not a lot of junk. I'm going to be back when I have more money to spend.'

Cyndy Andrews of Seffner busied herself working a gourmet popcorn stand with goodies made by her boyfriend, Joe Ristucci. The couple sell plain, cinnamon-flavored and peanut butter-flavored popcorn - and a nacho-flavored popcorn they named NotJoe's. MINE! after its inventor.

'Joe was making it for his family, and I convinced him he should make some to sell,' Andrews said. 'We were here last year for half the season, and we enjoyed it so much, we're back.'

Ristucci branched out this year, bringing some of his tiny cactus arrangements to sell. He and Andrews wear special gloves or use extra-soft paper towels when handling the cactus plants and placing them in containers.

He calls it 'Cactus According to Joe.'

'Kids in Florida don't see a lot of cactus, so they're drawn to it,' he said. 'You just water 'em every two weeks and put them near a western-facing window.'

Down the walkway, people were standing five deep waiting their turn to purchase fresh German bread baked in Sarasota and hauled to the market.

By 10 a.m., Yusimy Hernandez, owner of Tio's Bakery & Kitchen at Bloomingdale and Kings avenues, had run out of pepperoni pastries.

Hernandez specializes in Latin pastries, including handmade treats made with guava, pineapple, blueberry and other flavors.

'We've definitely had a good response,' she said.

'The weather's just been perfect for it,' Santamaria said. 'Even when we closed last week, people were walking up looking for the market.'

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Brandon Fresh Market

WHERE: Winthrop Town Centre, southeast corner of Bloomingdale Avenue and Providence Road, Riverview

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through May

CONTACT: Olga Santamaria, (813) 748-0441, or brandon freshmarket@yahoo.com

WHAT TO EXPECT

People visiting fresh markets are typically looking for locally grown and locally made goods. At the Brandon Market, customers can find these options and more:

• Fresh wild Florida shrimp

• A blend of local and imported fruits and vegetables

• Fresh German bread

• Blended oils and mustards

• Crafts

• One-of-a-kind glass jewelry

• Gourmet popcorn

• Fresh Plant City jellies and jams

• Fresh pastries

• Handmade pasta

• Zephyrhills wild honey

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 657-4532 or at yhammett@tampatrib.com.

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