August 6 - 12th, 2023 is officially Farmers Market Week presented by the National Farmers Market Coalition. According to their release:

• Farmers markets are changing the way...we eat, shop, connect, and more! Across the country, farmers markets are defining their role in our communities. Markets are not only essential to local food systems, but are increasing opportunities for us to learn, grow, and work together. Farmers markets are designed in partnership with the people they serve, and create a space where market operators, farmers, shoppers, and neighbors can collaborate to meet the evolving needs of their community.

 

• Farmers markets don’t just happen. Farmers markets are abundant sources of food, connection and resilience in our communities across the country, but they don’t just happen on their own. Behind the scenes of every successful farmers market is a dedicated person or team working to make the market thrive. These farmers market operators are experts who need community and financial support to run their markets and resources specifically designed for their needs.

 

• Farmers markets serve as community hubs. Farmers markets foster direct relationships between community members and farmers which can work to create a more fair and sustainable food system. Farmers markets are a hub for connection and collective action around shared values.

 

• The culture of farmers markets is changing. The demographic of farmers markets has not always reflected their local communities and some markets have not always created a space where everyone can feel welcome. Together, there are farmers market operators and community organizers paving the way to improve equity in the farmers market space. We fundamentally believe that farmers markets are for everyone and seek to support efforts to make farmers markets safe, inviting and accessible for all.

 
In 2019 Daily Plan-it was granted a permit by the City of Key West to produce a farmer’s market at the Truman Waterfront Park subsequent to the Green Market at Bayview Park ceasing operations. In 2020 they were awarded a competitive bid and a four year contract. Since beginning operations they have successfully supported between 30 and as many as 80 small mom and pop businesses to participate each show. The Market showcases the beautiful Truman Waterfront Park and between 700 and 2200 guests attend weekly. There is ample paved parking (free for residents with stickers), bike racks and the location is on the free Duval Loop bus. Amenities include full restroom facilities, handicapped accessible paths, ideally suited for families with a playground and water feature, close to other attractions like the Eco Discovery Center and the Coast Guard Cutter Ingham, offers spectacular sunset views and is pet friendly.
 
Regular community support, especially off season, is vital to the continued success of the Truman Waterfront Farmers Market and the vendors whose livelihood depends on it. Visit every Thursday 2 pm to 7 pm at the Truman Waterfront Park located at the end of Southard Street.

The City of Key West is moving forward with work on the Diesel Plant in Bahama Village. The beloved mural on the building will be temporarily relocated while the two non-historic portions of the building are demolished. The mural will be stored safely until the building is restored.

The demolition is the first step to ensuring that the historic structure is shored up for preservation. This step leads the way to issuing a request for proposals for the eventual rehabilitation of the site.

The plant was originally built in the late 1800s to generate gas used for lighting homes, businesses, and streets. It was decommissioned in the 1960s. In the early 2000s, the community voted to accept the transfer of ownership of the building from Keys Energy to the City of Key West.

The site consists of several buildings, two of which have no historic value. By removing them, the historic part of the building will be accessible for shoring up, if necessary. The City’s Chief Building Official Raj Ramsingh is overseeing the work.

The plant is adjacent to the land where the affordable housing project The Lofts is about to be constructed. Both parcels are next to the Truman Waterfront Park.

​City officials are looking for interest from the public to redevelop the plant in a way that ensures the preservation of the historic building while enhancing the neighborhood.

​The playground at the Truman Waterfront Park has been completely resurfaced and it looks like a brand new park. The City of Key West’s Community Services Department stripped away the old surface, replacing it with a layer of Flexi-Pave, a soft, safe, porous material.

The Key West Art Center proudly presents the 57th annual Old Island Days Art Festival at the beautiful Truman Waterfront Park. This year’s show brings back some of your favorite artists and will introduce you to many new talented ones. The waterfront setting has given us the opportunity to set up more booths and our artists responded with over 110 artists scheduled to attend.

Artists and crafters will line the quay showing watercolors, oil/acrylic, mixed media, photography, and more works for your home. In addition, you will find jewelry, clothing, sculpture, glass, and wood along with plenty of fun funky tropical arts and crafts. This group of artists has something for every taste and budget, and we hope you will stop down to stroll the waterfront and meet this great group of artists, some of whom have traveled from as far as the west coast, and others much more local.

Drive, bike, walk or bus down to see us as there is plenty of parking and bike racks and we are steps away from the Duval Loop stop. Artists will greet you from 10-5 each day. We look forward to seeing all our locals and visitors for a wonderful art filled weekend!

The Old Island Days Art Festival is sponsored by the Key West Art Center & Gallery, located at 301 Front Street. The non-profit Community Art Center is Key West’s oldest gallery and features original works of art by over 50 local artists.

​For more information contact us at 305-294-1241 or email at KWArtShow@gmail.com