Celebrating 30 Years of the Delray Beach GreenMarket
Now entering its 30th season, the Delray Beach GreenMarket has become a staple of community life downtown — a vibrant, open-air tradition that continues to evolve while staying rooted in local flavor.
From 25 Vendors to a Saturday Morning Destination
When the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) first launched the GreenMarket in 1996, it began modestly — just 25 vendors in the CRA’s parking lot. But from those humble beginnings, the market has grown into a bustling Saturday morning event in the heart of downtown Delray Beach.
“It is now located at Old School Square and has grown to 75+ vendors,” said Lori Johnson, who has managed and curated the market for over 25 years. “We offer small-batch culinary items, local produce, dairy, fresh seafood, local grass-fed and finished beef, along with fresh flowers, plants, and more.”
The experience now includes an international food court featuring everything from ceviche and conch salad to award-winning barbecue, plus a shaded dining tent where guests can sit and enjoy their meals.
A Market with Personality and Purpose
“All farmers markets have their own unique personalities,” said Johnson. “What differentiates Delray’s is the combination of vendors, customers, location, and the support from the CRA.” That mix has given the GreenMarket staying power and set it apart from more transient, pop-up-style markets.
Beyond its atmosphere, the GreenMarket is also an economic engine. It offers small farms, food artisans, and local businesses a place to sell their goods weekly — without the overhead of a brick-and-mortar storefront. “The Market is an economic driver,” Johnson noted, “and it provides a platform for entrepreneurs to grow their brands and connect directly with the community.”
Looking Ahead: A Milestone Season
To celebrate its 30th year, the GreenMarket has launched a limited-edition commemorative canvas market bag, available every Saturday for $10. It’s a small way to commemorate a major milestone — and a nod to the market’s loyal shoppers, who have helped make it what it is today.
The season will also continue its popular features like live music and the bi-weekly Chef Showcase, where a local chef shops the market for fresh, in-season ingredients and prepares a dish for sampling. “It’s a great way to educate customers on different ways to cook what’s sold at the Market,” said Johnson.
Looking to the future, her hope is simple but heartfelt: “I hope the Market continues to thrive at its present location for another 30 years.”
