Plus, $411 million water drilling project begins.
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Today’s Forecast

77º | Light thunderstorms and rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.
 

You had us at local and fresh
A downtown Lakeland street lined with tents selling farmers market goods. Trees hang over the street.
We can’t wait for weekends to visit the Downtown Farmers Curb Market. | Photo by @ashley_kent77
Get ready to fill up your reusable shopping bags with fruits and veggies, Lakelanders. In the spirit of supporting all things local, we’ve rounded up seven farmers markets in the Polk County area where you’ll find fresh food, live music, and local vendors.

Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market, 200 N. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Saturdays, September-July | September-May from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., June-July from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Features: Plants, produce, locally handcrafted art and textiles, live music, and ready-to-eat foods
  • Parking: Street and garage parking are available downtown.
  • Space: Outdoors
Note: This market is dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your leashed pup.

Lakeland Mi Pueblo Flea Market, 2701 Swindell Rd., Lakeland | Saturday-Sunday, year-round | Saturday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday from 5:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Features: ~500 vendors selling produce, livestock, clothing, and gardening tools
  • Parking: $2 on-site parking
  • Space: Indoors and outdoors
Green, leafy plants in pots and stands on a pink table in a farmers market booth table. A sign reads "My Happy Plants."

Farmers markets are the perfect place to find locally grown plants.

|

Photo by @winterhavenfarmersmarket

Winter Haven Farmers Market, corner of 3rd St. SW and Ave. C SW, Winter Haven | Saturday, year-round | 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Features: Rotating vendors offering specialty foods, jewelry, art, and crafts
  • Parking: Street and garage parking are available downtown.
  • Space: Outdoors
International Market World, 1052 US-92, Auburndale | Friday-Sunday, year-round | Friday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday-Sunday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Features: 1,200+ vendor spaces, farm-fresh produce brought in daily, circus performances, and alligator shows
  • Parking: Outdoor parking on-site
  • Space: Mostly indoors
  • Special events: Stomp your feet at the Clogging Festival on Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
 
Asked
 

How much revenue do farmers markets and on-farm stores bring in across the US?
A. $1.6 million
B. $10.6 million
C. $1.9 billion
D. $2.9 billion
 
GreenWise Market
 
Events
 
Monday, April 10
  • Yoga for Beginners | Monday, April 10 | 10-11 a.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin L. King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Bring your mat and some water to this yoga class for all levels focusing on breath, alignment, balance, and strength — must be 16 or older.
  • Spring Pop-Up Series: Salavate Pasta | Monday, April 10 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult Lakeland, 502 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Grab lunch on the Catapult patio from these chefs specializing in fresh pasta, focaccia sandwiches, and more.
Tuesday, April 11
  • Story Time at the Florida Air Museum | Tuesday, April 11 | 10-11 a.m. | Florida Air Museum, 4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland | Free | Junior ACEs ages 2-5 can hear a story and take part in an interactive learning experience.
  • Moonlit Falls | Tuesday, Apr. 11 | 7-9 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39 | Bring your own refreshments to enjoy while you paint a waterfall scene.
Wednesday, April 12
  • Pizza, Pasta, and More | Wednesday, Apr. 12 | 6 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School, 4730 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $60 | It’s easier than you thought to make pizza dough and pasta from scratch — learn how in this hands-on class.
  • Publix Trivia Night | Wednesday, Apr. 12 | 6:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free | Join this fundraiser event to answer questions about the Lakeland-based supermarket chain and general trivia.
Thursday, April 13
Friday, April 14
  • Caribbean Casino Night | Friday, Apr. 14 | 6 p.m. | Lake Mirror Center, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $75-$200 | Enjoy food, drinks, and casino games at the Lakeland Kiwanis Club’s fundraiser for the Bethany Center for Grieving Children.
  • Dixieland Night Market | Friday, Apr. 14 | 6-11 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Shop from local artisans, artists, and makers while enjoying live music at Union Hall and The Pink Piano.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
 
Environment
  • The Polk Regional Water Cooperative has begun two drilling projects into the Lower Floridan Aquifer to meet increasing water demand. Construction on the Southeast and West Polk Wellfields is expected to begin in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Plans also include a processing plant and 61 miles of underground pipes. (The Ledger)
Asked
  • Speaking of water, the City of Lakeland Water Utilities wants your feedback. A survey is open through the end of April to get your opinion on water department services, charges, and more. Take the survey online.
Number
  • 1,098. That’s how many wildfires the Florida Forest Service has counted so far this year, including a 1,000-acre fire in Polk County in March. With a burn ban in place, residents are encouraged to exercise caution and prepare their homes to be wildfire-ready. (WFTS)
Arts
  • The artwork of 87 Polk County students is now on display at the Polk Museum of Art. Visit through Sunday, April 23 to see the Annual Scholastic Art and Writing Award winners, or view the works in the online gallery.
Wellness
  • First United Methodist Church of Lakeland’s Memory Cafe offers those with dementia and memory challenges an opportunity to mingle and socialize. Anyone is welcome to join for games, activities, and exercise on Mondays from 10-11:30 a.m. (The Ledger)
Eat
  • The Buddha Burger is back on the menu at the Juice Box Cafe (4295 S. Florida Ave.). The sandwich features a vegan patty, alfalfa sprouts, sesame-dijon sauce, and more. Try it at the cafe’s Vegan Mini-Market on Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Read
  • If you caught yesterday’s Easter carillon concert at Bok Tower Gardens, you heard a rare performance — there are only ~600 carillons in the world. Learn more about the tower in this Q+A with carillonneur Geert D’hollander. (The Ledger)
Try This
  • Quinteassence’s next Goth Night is coming up this week. Sip kava while dancing the night away to high-energy beats by DJ Hooten. Go goth on Friday, April 14 at 8 p.m. at 839 N. Massachusetts Ave., Ste. 101.
Finance
  • One card, all the perks. A $200 welcome bonus, unlimited cash back, and 0% interest into 2024 all with no annual fee almost sounds too good to be true — but this card has it all.*
Fun Fact
  • We’re asking our readers to take our brief survey to help us ensure the content we deliver is relevant to you. Your feedback is important to us, and we’re all ears. Bonus: You’ll be entered into a drawing to win $500. Take the survey.
Community
  • B-I-N-G-O. Regular, four corners, or coverall — what’s your favorite style of bingo? Get in on the fun at Publix GreenWise Market’s Bingo Night events happening April 11 + 25 from 6-8 p.m. Pro tip: RSVP to ensure your spot.*
Travel
  • You love strolling in Munn Park. But do you know how to ask for directions to Jardin des Tuileries in Paris? Babbel — the No. 1 language app in the world — can help you start learning just that in as little as three weeks. Pro tip: Snag 55% off your subscription today.*
Trending
  • How to make skincare more fun: The Marshmallow Whip Maker, which turns the cleanser you’re already using into a fluffy, marshmallow-like foam that feels rich and creamy on the skin. Keep the skincare gains going with a trusted SPF stick for face and body + a silk pillowcase for nighttime.
 
 
Seasonal
 

💐 April showers bring May flowers
A woman holds a tall, wrapped bouquet of brightly colored snapdragons, covering her face.
Brighten up a rainy week with a colorful bouquet. | Photo by @flowercartlakeland
But if you don’t want to wait for this week’s rain to perk up your garden, check out these local plant shops, nurseries, and florists.

Bloom Shakalaka, The Joinery, 640 E. Main St.

Promising “funky fresh blooms,” Bloom Shakalaka offers wrapped bunches of bright florals and fun arrangements. Pro tip: Visit the flower fridge to pick your own by the stem.

The Nectary, 1047 E. Main St.

Not sure where to start when it comes to plants? Try a native plant. This nursery has carried everything from native wildflowers to vines and trees. Visit to see what’s in stock and make your lawn biodiverse and beautiful.

Flower Cart, 1125 Lakeland Hills Blvd.

If you’d prefer your blooms perfectly arranged, place an order at this family-owned florist, which has been in Lakeland since 1980. With an emphasis on bright flowers, Flower Cart’s daily arrangements will add a pop of color to your home.
 
The Wrap
 
Connor-Keith-Headshot-LAL

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
Last month, we asked our followers for their favorite vendors at the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market. One of my new favorites is Meraki Bakehouse — I could eat a quesito every single day. Check out our followers’ recs and drop your own here.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Let us know what you think of LALtoday for a chance at $500.
Quiz Answer:    D. $2.9 billion ›
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