MORE THAN A MEAL
Pensacola is known for sugar-white beaches, sparkling water and seafood pulled fresh from the Gulf. But travel north, where city streets become country roads, and another part of our story begins to unfold. Here, the landscape is measured not by tides, but by planting seasons, afternoon rain and the quiet promise of the next harvest.
Long before we choose a tomato at the market or gather around a beautifully set table, someone has prepared the soil, planted the seed and trusted nature to do her part.
Agriculture remains an important, though sometimes unseen, part of life in Northwest Florida. More than 30,000 acres in Escambia County are devoted to farming. Cotton, peanuts, corn, soybeans and grains grow alongside the grass and hay needed for livestock. On smaller farms, growers tend vegetables, herbs, berries and flowers that eventually find their way into local markets, restaurant kitchens and family meals.
At Maeday Farm, that journey is personal. Steven and his wife started the farm in 2018 and have been growing for the Pensacola area ever since.
“Our goal is to grow the highest-quality and freshest produce in a way that’s sustainable and healthy for our land, our customers and our family,” Steven says.
Across four acres, they grow more than 50 varieties representing 30 different crops, using organic methods that include biologically based pesticides and fertilizers, organic seeds and cover crops. Their harvest moves with the seasons—from lettuce, carrots and radishes to tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and melons. They are also drawn to heirloom and hard-to-find varieties, the vegetables that invite curiosity before they ever reach the plate.
Through Maeday Farm’s spring and summer Community Supported Agriculture program, customers receive weekly vegetable shares. But what they are really receiving is a relationship with the people and land behind their food.
Then there is Holland Farms in Milton, where farming is more than a business it is a family legacy. Bruce Holland began farming while still in high school during the early 1970s. In 1985, he and his wife, Diane, expanded into produce and green peanuts. Today, their children and grandchildren help carry that legacy forward on land held by the Holland family for more than a century.
At Holland Farms, visitors can purchase farm-grown peanuts, seasonal produce and farm-raised beef while families experience pumpkins, flowers and farm traditions together each fall in Milton.
Every farm follows its own rhythm. There are seasons of abundance and harvests changed by heat or rain. That uncertainty is part of what makes locally grown food meaningful.
When we choose it, we receive more than freshness. We become part of the story—honoring the hands, heritage and hope behind every harvest.
FRESH FROM THE FARM
Holland Farms in Milton sells peanuts, produce and farm-raised beef to the public. Its current summer store hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Maeday Farm connects customers with organically grown vegetables through spring and summer CSA shares. Visit maedayfarm.com for details. Blue Basket Farms and The Strawberry Farm are seasonal destinations, so check websites or social pages for opening dates, field conditions and crop availability before visiting.
GATHERED AT THE MARKET
Palafox Market brings farmers, bakers, food producers and makers to downtown Pensacola every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine. The market operates at both Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza and Plaza Ferdinand, and vendors change weekly.
The Farm sources as much produce as possible from local farmers and carries honey and handmade goods. Published hours are Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bailey’s Produce & Nursery is a year-round market carrying products from more than 40 local vendors alongside produce, pantry items and plants.
BUILD A GULF COAST BOARD
Begin with seasonal fruit, vegetables and herbs. Add fresh bread, local honey or preserves, then visit Costello’s Butcher Shop for imported Italian prosciutto, exceptional cheeses, pasta and sauces. It is the kind of stop that can turn a market basket into a generous table.
Finish with a drink reflecting the region. Family-owned Rollins Distillery in Gulf Breeze produces spirits for cocktails, sipping or serving over ice. Combining berries, herbs, citrus and a Northwest Florida spirit can turn the day’s market finds into a gathering.
Availability changes quickly, especially at farms. Confirm hours and harvest conditions before visiting, then allow the season itself to choose the menu at home.
“When we choose local food, we nourish more than our families—we help preserve people, land, and traditions behind it.”