Florida Fresh Market Attracts Families

The Bedner family of Boynton Beach is making it easy for South Floridians to find fresh, locally grown produce. In 2010, brothers Steve, Charles and Bruce opened Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market on their farm, which was started by their parents, Arthur and Henrietta Bedner.

“We have farmed in Palm Beach County since 1960,” says Marie Bedner, who is married to Steve and serves as operations manager at the market. “We saw the ‘buy local’ movement beginning and thought it would be wise to diversify our farming operation.”

Realizing the demand and opportunity to engage with the public, the Bedners opened the farm market and began selling their produce directly to consumers. The produce is grown on 80 acres right outside the market’s back door, and includes corn, beans, cabbage, all types of lettuce, kale, beets and more.

Customers can pick their own strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and sunflowers during the market’s u-pick season, which runs from mid-November to mid- May. Everything the Bedner family grows is sold in the market, along with produce from neighbors within the state of Florida. The market also carries local honey, Old Florida Chips, hot sauces, pasta and meats.

On weekends, Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market offers homemade ice cream, barbecue, a petting zoo, hayrides through the fields, roasted corn, caramel apples, pony rides, craft vendors and other treats. “Charlie, Bruce and Steve are fourth-generation farmers, so this is the only life they know, as well as Jesse, who is the fifth-generation farmer,” Bedner says. “It’s rewarding to see families come shop together to choose healthy foods to eat. Everyone enjoys seeing where and how their veggies are grown in our fields, and they appreciate the fresh-picked quality.”