Marco Island Farmer’s Market at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church will return in full swing Wednesday mornings starting Nov. 21 and running through April 16. The market will open for business at 7:30 a.m. and close at 11:30 a.m. sharp.

This year, the city stands firm on it’s rules for the three P’s: pedestrians, parking and patrons.

“It’s wonderful! Everyone on the island is happy the market will be back,” said Dale Lindquist, liaison between St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and the farmer’s market. “We had to solve our traffic problems because of the work that is being done on Collier and also last year’s parking problems on Elkcam. After we finally solved those problems to the satisfaction of the church, the city and the police department, the city was happy to give us the permit. We appreciate their support.”

This year, coordinators of the farmer’s market implore the public to adhere to the city’s rules in order to ensure a fruitful community event for years to come.

Pedestrians must use crosswalks and patrons must make final purchases at 11:29 a.m.- no later, no exceptions. Finally, drivers must be aware of proper parking procedures.

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Marco Island’s popular Farmers Market, held Wednesdays at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, is set to continue this season — but with restrictions. One is the parking in nearby swales will not be tolerated, and another is that final sales must take place by 11:29 a.m. sharp.

“We had a little problem with people parking in other people’s front yards and they would not necessarily be as kind to some of the local businesses as they should be. We feel that we’ve got that problem solved because we have two lots back on Bluebird which we are going to be parking in and we also have our own parking lot,” explained Lindquist. “We are going to have traffic control too. There is going to be one full time police officer right off of Elkcam and Collier. We will also have four volunteers from the police auxiliary. They will be working with the market to control traffic, helping people get in and out.”

This time of year, until well after the holidays, traffic congestion doesn’t create much of a problem for the market. In the unlucky case that all lots are full, Lindquist advises drivers to be patient. In a matter of minutes a spot should open up.

“What happens is people don’t usually stay in the market for hours, they’re in ten minutes and out, so just wait a few minutes and the lot will clear. People are moving all the time,” said Lindquist. “It’s not going to take a long time for someone to leave. We will have at least two people directing traffic in both lots. If you have people directing traffic it goes very well. When people try to find spaces themselves, that’s when it can become chaos.”

This year’s market will feature around 20 vendors and typical items for sale will include fresh vegetables, flowers, homemade pasta and sauces, tropical jellies, salsa, olives, bread and cheese.

“We have just about everything under the sun!” confided Veronique McMillan, market manager.

“And every vendor has a story. We have a woman who was a paraplegic, who was in a coma for a month and now she’s selling nuts. The pasta sauce lady, she lost her husband. They had a catering business together. She didn’t know what she would do. She said, ‘I’m going to make these sauces, I can make them, I’m Italian.’ So now she sells them at the market and she’s doing great,” explained McMillan. “The shrimp guy has his own boat, he goes fishing all night on the gulf and comes to the market and sells in the morning. The sugar-free lady has lost a lot of weight. She decided she was going to start making these foods for everyone because she loves them so much. A woman named Rosie, who’s originally from Jamaica, sells orchids. She drives all the way from Miami to come to our market. These vendors are fascinating people. It gives people a way to make a living. We have a lot of entrepreneurs.”

Fifty percent of all market vendor’s fees go directly to the Guadalupe Center to help needy families and the other half goes toward St. Mark’s Episcopal Church outreach ministries.

“It isn’t a big money maker. It’s a community event. People come just to see their friends. A lot of people come every week, just to have a place to go and run into people. It’s a wonderful place. It’s absolutely fabulous,” said McMillan. “The people who come to the market get to know the vendors and if they’re gone for the day, they panic. They want to know where ‘so and so’ is. ‘I have a dinner party coming and I was expecting to buy all my things from this vendor!’ It becomes a community system. People come to depend on this.”

To avoid the 9:00 a.m. rush, the best time to shop the farmer’s market is at 7:30 in the morning. Free coffee is offered to all visitors and people are welcome to pull up a chair and relax.

Vendors of homemade foods or products “from the earth” are encouraged to get applications in now, as spaces are limited and on a first come first served basis. No arts and crafts are allowed. Anyone who would like to set up a non-profit booth to raise funds will be welcomed anytime, free of charge.

“The city is very positive about wanting the farmer’s market, they just don’t want any accidents and they want people protected properly. We didn’t do as good a job as we could’ve last year- we’re new to this, so we’re learning,” added McMillan.

“Last year, the state came to check the vendors and they said, ‘this is the nicest and friendliest market we’ve been to. At other markets, we’ve got people throwing tomatoes at us. Not here!’ That’s a good thing,” she concluded.

For more information or to apply for a booth at the farmer’s market, call St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at 394-7242 or visit www.marcoislandfarmersmarket.com.

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