Editor Connor here. It turns out, the hottest accessories of the season aren’t designer purses or new pairs of shoes. In Central Florida, it’s all about Strawberry Season Passports. These booklets are back again this year, but they sold out faster than you could say “shortcake.” If you didn’t get your hands on one, follow along as I taste my way around local farms.
I see why these went so quickly. For just $10, you get special offers at eight local businesses. I’ll be trying to stamp my passport with as many of these deals as possible:
- Fancy Farms Market, Lakeland | Free fresh fruit milkshake
- Parkesdale Market, Plant City | Free menu item
- Lumley’s Farm, Plant City | Free mini dessert
- Keel Farms, Plant City | Free wine, beer, or cider
- Metals & Nature, Plant City | Free garden gift
- Berry Barn, Dover | Free fresh milkshake
- Berry Sweet Acres, Plant City | Free pound of berries
- Gillman Farms, Plant City | BOGO strawberry shortcake
Stop 1: Parkesdale Market
I picked up my passport at Parkesdale, so naturally, that was my first stop for a stamp. I opted for the world-famous strawberry shortcake, piled high with whipped topping and vanilla soft-serve ice cream. It was sweet without being overly sugary. When you go, be sure to explore the rest of the market for plants + fresh produce, too.
Stop 2: Fancy Farms Market
My next stop was close to home at the only Lakeland spot on the list: Fancy Farms Market. The passport got me a creamy, rich strawberry milkshake that was perfect for a sunny day.
Strawberry treats are available through March or April, then the seasonal menu will cycle through blueberry, peach, and pumpkin. You can’t skip the lunch items either, especially the barbecue with strawberry sauce.
Stop 3: Berry Sweet Acres
I arrived at this farm expecting a quick trip, but I was pleasantly surprised when they handed me an empty container. It turned out to be a U-pick situation, so I got to hand-select the best berries in the patch.
This is the perfect weekend family activity — kids can get their hands dirty in the field, and grown-ups can enjoy the new coffee + food trucks. I’m eyeing that strawberry bacon jam burger.
Check back here throughout winter strawberry season to see where I go next. As the passport says inside, “By visiting each farm, you’ve made a direct impact on our local agricultural community,” so each one is worth a visit, even if you didn’t snag a passport.
Stop 4: Lumley’s Farm
This Plant City market may look like just a kitschy roadside attraction, but there’s much more here than meets the eye. This was my first visit, and a flash of my passport earned me a mini shortcake loaded with huge berries + dusted with sprinkles.
Outside, you’ll find several shaded picnic tables and a playground for kids to run around, but there’s also a petting zoo tucked away inside. I was low on time, so I didn’t venture in, but a $5 ticket gets you access to bison, emus, alpacas, longhorns, and more. Plan to spend some extra time exploring after polishing off your shortcake.
