Gulfport Fresh Market Celebrates Six Successful Years

Stop by Beach Boulevard on a Tuesday and you'll experience a lively downtown atmosphere complete with music, food and talent. The Gulfport Fresh Market has grown to include more than 55 vendors and countless visitors that routinely shop local in Gulfport.

The Gulfport Fresh Market has come a long way and this February organizers and volunteers are celebrating it's six-year anniversary. Below is a press release with information provided by the Gulfport Merchants Association.

The market was formed in "February 2006 by the Gulfport Merchants Association, in cooperation with the City of Gulfport and Jason Kilpatrick, whose family continues to operate the largest produce stand at the market. In addition to supplying a community service for local residents, the market was envisioned as an attraction for visitors who might also wish to stay and dine at one of the many restaurants in the village and visit Gulfport’s independent shops, boutiques and galleries. 

The Fresh Market has grown from a small handful of vendors in the beginning to its present roster of over 55 vendors. Customer traffic has also steadily increased over the years, and the Market now routinely has several hundred visitors on a typical day.

The Gulfport Merchants Association also has its own Gulfport information tent at the Market, offering information on local businesses and upcoming events.

The focus of the market is on high-quality items, including as many locally produced products as possible. A wide variety of foods is available, including locally-grown and organic produce, bread, cheese, seafood, nuts, candy, teas, herbs, local honey and much more. Bath, body, garden and pet products are another mainstay. Artists and crafters are always on hand to display and sell their hand-made work. Live music in two locations keeps market-goers entertained.

A current roster of weekly and occasional vendors is posted on the Fresh Market’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/gulfportfreshmarket.html. 

The Fresh Market also gives back to the community. A food and personal needs collection basket for the Gulfport Senior Center Pantry is located at the Merchants Association tent each week.  Space is offered free of charge each week to non-profit organizations to raise awareness for their causes.  On the second Tuesday of each month, the Fresh Market sponsors a popular clothing swap to benefit CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse).  Participants bring in donated garments, and can select some to exchange.  Extra clothing and donations are contributed to CASA.

The Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market is open year-round. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Tuesday. The Fresh Market is located in Gulfport’s historic Waterfront District on Beach Boulevard below 29^th Avenue South. For more information, contact Daniel Hodge at 727-366-4086 or email dan@igc.org."

Check out our photos and stories we've put together about the Gulfport Fresh Market on Gulfport Patch! Do you have photos from the market? Add them on this article.