Great opportunity to buy local produce. Everything we've tried has tasted fantastic.
Highly recommend! -D. Moldovan

An online farmer’s market

As our 2011 season approaches, changes are taking place at Panhandle Fresh. Several people have asked about the CSA program for this year. We had an overwhelming response to this program in 2010 and while it is a worthwhile endeavor, we have changed the program to meet the demands of our customers. 

We are excited to announce the launch of the Panhandle Fresh Market - an online farmer's market. This market brings farmers and community members together for fresh, local produce. Each week, the available produce from local farmers will be posted on the Market website, then Market Members can make their purchases. Each Friday, farmers will deliver their produce directly into a refrigerated truck at theBay Area Food Bank in Milton. On Saturday, the driver will deliver to set locations in Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola, West Pensacola and Pace. Your input will be important as we expand the program.

How to Order from the Panhandle Fresh Market                      Season Availabiltiy Chart

All of the produce I received was in excellent condition and the staff was very helpful. I've picked up orders twice now and each time everything has gone smoothly.
- C. L. Carter

Please read through the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on the Panhandle Fresh Market and how to become a Market Member.

Panhandle Fresh Market Member Frequently Asked Questions:

How does the new Panhandle Fresh Market work?
The Panhandle Fresh Market is a membership based online farmer's market. The membership fee is $25. You must be a member to purchase produce from our Market. Once you are a member, you will be able to choose how much and what kind of produce you would like each week. All produce is individually priced, just like at the farmer's market or grocery store. You will then pay for just the produce you want with a credit or debit card online. On Saturday, the delivery truck will stop at five locations; one each in Mary Esther, Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola, and Pace, to deliver the produce. New this season, a Friday pick up location will be available from 1:00 - 2:00 pm at the Bay Area Food Bank in Milton. Exact locations and times are listed below. You must bring your printed receipt to the truck to receive your produce.

very easy and wonderful product! really easy to work with, love it! -C. ODonnell

Do I have to purchase produce I don’t want?
No. You choose what you want to order each week.

I really liked this system much better than last year's. I can buy as much or as little as I like. And I can select the items I want. -H. B. Hannum

Do I have to bring my own bags?
Yes. We will not provide bags or boxes to contain your produce this year. To pick up your produce, we encourage you to bring your own bags or containers.

Do you have local favorites?
We have contacted a number of growers to coordinate the everyday favorites, plus unique finds. Email us your favorites, which will give us input in providing the items that you are looking for.

How does the weather impact my order?
Our commitment is to offer a variety of produce during these weeks. Mother Nature has a way of sneaking in unsuspecting late frosts, torrential rains, hurricanes, droughts and more.   This can lead to muddy fields where equipment cannot enter, lack of rain delaying growth, or destruction as we have experienced with hurricanes in the past. Since we work with so may different farmers and types of produce; delays, changes and cancellations of produce orders will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
 
Where and when do I pick up my order each week?
Pick up will occur on Saturdays at locations in Mary Esther, Navarre, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola and Pace.  You can pick up your order at any one of the locations during the specified time as long as you bring your receipt.

FRIDAY:

East Milton: 1:00pm-2:00pm
Bay Area Food Bank
5709 Industrial Blvd

SATURDAY:

Mary Esther: 7:30am-9:00am
Navy Federal parking lot
251 Mary Esther Blvd

Navarre: 9:30am-11:00am
Navarre Beach Chamber
8543 Navarre Parkway

Gulf Breeze: 11:30am-1:00pm
Andrews Research and Education Institute
1020 Gulf Breeze Parkway

Galleria: 1:30pm-3:00pm
2435 North 12th Avenue

Pace: 3:30pm-5:00pm
Floridatown Station
4372 Floridatown Road

Are refunds offered on produce?
Panhandle Fresh growers are committed to offering peak, fresh produce.  Some years there are bumper crops and some crops may fail. We will not issue refunds for produce, but in the event that you receive produce that you are unhappy with, please email us, so we can prevent any future quality problems. All instances will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

This Saturday my pint of tomatoes was very slim It was half full. The week before no problem. We arrived to pick up our order 8:50 am. Everything else I Love!!!
-s m garbo

How much does it cost to be a Market Member and how long is the season?
The first season will run from September 19 - November 12, 2011, eight weeks total. The membership fee is $25. You must be a member to purchase produce from our Market. Once you are a member, you will be able to choose how much and what kind of produce you would like each week. All produce in individually priced, just like at the farmer's market or grocery store. You will then pay for just the produce you want with a credit or debit card online.

What does my $25 market membership fee cover?

• The use of a refrigerated truck,
• fuel,
• insurance,
• a CDL driver,
• receiving and staging produce for deliveries,
• processing fee and web administration,
• and Panhandle Fresh coordinators.

What are my membership benefits?

• You choose your weekly produce to be picked up at convenient locations each Saturday.
• U-pick opportunities for berries peas, and more
• Panhandlefresh.com will offer recipes and produce information

How do I pay?
You can pay online with a credit or debit card. We’re sorry, but we cannot accept checks.

Easy to use -S. Ogletree                     Exxcellent -J. A. Rowland

I have signed up for a Panhandle Fresh Market Membership.  What happens next?
Watch for an email in your inbox on Monday, September 19th with available produce and information on how to order. You will then be able to order until 10:00 pm on Tuesday. Print your receipt and meet the truck at one of the six locations during that location's pick up time to pick up your produce. You must have a copy of your receipt to pick up your order.

You are out of the types of produce I want! What now?
Since we are working with local farmers, sometimes produce will sell out. We operate the Panhandle Fresh Market like a farmer’s market in that we might run out of produce. All produce is sold on a first come, first serve basis so order early!

What if I cannot pick up my share?
You can have someone else pick up your share. Just have them bring a copy of your Panhandle Fresh receipt.  Any unclaimed will be donated to the Bay Area Food Bank at the end of the route on Saturday afternoon.

Why can't I pick out my produce at the pick up site?
Due to liability reasons and our insurance policy for the truck, we cannot let Members on to the truck at the pick up sites. We do strive to provide the highest quality produce. If you have any questions and concerns about your order, you can email Megan or Andrea. We also encourage everyone to check their order before they leave the truck to ensure it was properly filled.

How do I learn more about the growers supplying produce for the Panhandle Fresh Market?
Click here for farmer profiles and their locations.  Drop by to meet and greet them and learn more about the growing process.

Should I wash my local produce?
We suggest that you thoroughly wash all produce received from PFMA or anywhere before eating or cooking.

Is Panhandle Fresh Market produce organic?
We currently have no PFMA organic farmers.  We are currently seeing a trend to no pesticide use. We will let you know if we pick up any organic farmers in the future.

How does Panhandle Fresh Market define what is "local" produce?
We define "local" produce as anything grown within 75 miles of Santa Rosa County.

Why buy locally?
There is a difference between truly fresh and other produce…

• Fresher does taste better
• Fresher is more nutritious
• Buying local improves YOUR economy
• Locally grown provides a higher level of confidence in knowing the origin and safety of the produce you feed your family
• Supporting local farmers helps support local agriculture, thereby protecting our rural land, a part of what makes our regional culture

How can I contact Panhandle Fresh for questions about my Panhandle Fresh Market order?
All Panhandle Fresh Market questions and feedback (good and bad!) must be directed by email only to Megan or Andrea. We look for your feedback to make the program a success!

We appreciate your interest in becoming a Panhandle Fresh Market Member. Please email us with any questions.