Fresh Produce ...a waste land...help (Pensacola, Niceville: buy, to live, price)

[willow9713]

I've been to my local Publix's, Winn Dixie and a few other stores in the Panhandle area looking for decent and reasonably priced produce. I don't even mind paying double what I paid where I use to live, if it actually looked fresh and edible...

Am I missing something? Do people really not eat fresh produce here? Is it the economy or is it because of the Air Force and Navy bases have the commissary? or due to the fact that it's a tourist area? I'm stumped and I'd like some choices other than frozen.

Tomorrow we are heading to Niceville farmers market, but seriously who wants to drive an hour one way for provisions..Even in Alaska I didn't have to go that far.

Thanks in advance for some input!!

[grampaTom]

Bailey's Produce and market
4301 N Davis Hwy

[AustinTraveler]

Bailey's is great. Also check out Everman's and Flora Bama Farms. Pensacola has a Farmer's Market downtown as well.

[Carolina Knight]

Originally Posted by willow9713

I've been to my local Publix's, Winn Dixie and a few other stores in the Panhandle area looking for decent and reasonably priced produce. I don't even mind paying double what I paid where I use to live, if it actually looked fresh and edible...

Am I missing something? Do people really not eat fresh produce here? Is it the economy or is it because of the Air Force and Navy bases have the commissary? or due to the fact that it's a tourist area? I'm stumped and I'd like some choices other than frozen.

Tomorrow we are heading to Niceville farmers market, but seriously who wants to drive an hour one way for provisions..Even in Alaska I didn't have to go that far.

Thanks in advance for some input!!

Supermarkets do not have fresh produce?

[beachmouse]

They farm cotton, peanuts, timber, and rockets in these parts rather than local produce. (At least the local seafood is great) I probably have the best luck in Destin among the Publix there (they turn over stock quickly enough it doesn’t go bad) The Fresh Market, and Whole Foods.

Do keep in mind that it’s too hot in the summertime to grow much around here so it has to be trucked in from afar and picked underripe with that in mind. You will find better strawberries, tomatos, and the like in February than in summer months because they’re grown closer then instead of getting brought in from the north

[willow9713]

Originally Posted by Carolina Knight

Supermarkets do not have fresh produce?

Well let's just say that fresh is relative..about to go bad has been my experience so far.

[grampaTom]

Originally Posted by willow9713

Well let's just say that fresh is relative..about to go bad has been my experience so far.

We always used the Publix East on Nine Mile Road and their produce was pretty good. The one going on West Nine Mile Road was no quite as good. Shop around.

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by beachmouse

They farm cotton, peanuts, timber, and rockets in these parts rather than local produce. (At least the local seafood is great) I probably have the best luck in Destin among the Publix there (they turn over stock quickly enough it doesn’t go bad) The Fresh Market, and Whole Foods.

Do keep in mind that it’s too hot in the summertime to grow much around here so it has to be trucked in from afar and picked underripe with that in mind. You will find better strawberries, tomatos, and the like in February than in summer months because they’re grown closer then instead of getting brought in from the north

There are certain foods that are locally grown and abundant here... like peas, beans, okra, squash, eggplant, greens, watermelon, and even corn. Of course these are typical Southern foods most people born and raised here are accustomed to eating.

Many folks in my area buy from Steve’s Farm.

Main

[PcolaFLGuy]

I trust Bailey's and Ever'man the most for produce. And the Palafox Farmer's Market on Saturdays.

[willow9713]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

There are certain foods that are locally grown and abundant here... like peas, beans, okra, squash, eggplant, greens, watermelon, and even corn. Of course these are typical Southern foods most people born and raised here are accustomed to eating.

Many folks in my area buy from Steve’s Farm.

Main

Well, considering I was raised in the surrounding area and remember very distinctly all the great little farm stands when I was a kid..you know, older than rope. Sadly, the majority of the food you’ve listed cause pain in this old body...so I rarely eat them anymore.

I’ll have to checkout Steve’s. Thank you