Sweetwater Organic Community Farm
Go for the produce, stay for the food!

"Smoothie Man" Gregory prepares a mushroom burger- his version of Philly cheese steak with slices of mushroom replacing the steak and avocado replacing the cheese. It tastes amazing!

I'm not a vegetarian or a vegan, a lifestyle supported by Sweetwater Organic Community Farm.  But my visit to their Sunday market for the prepared food was very worthwhile. ​ The mission of the farm is to raise organic produce and distribute it weekly (in season) to its members, and to promote urban organic farming and environmental education. Members either pay a fee or work the farm (or both) to get their weekly share. Membership has several levels and allows for donations for farm upkeep as well. It's a pretty good deal and a cool way to ensure that the food you are eating is organic. 
I go for the Sunday market which is open from October 15 through May 20 this year. While members are picking up their weekly distribution, nonmembers can purchase organic produce at the farm stand, purchase clothes, jewelry and other goods, as well as buy prepared food offered by several vendors. Vendors vary over the course of the season, but the food and produce are always good! The market also brings in local musicians to a small stage to entertain while customers eat and shop

Organic hard neck garlic from nomadic farmer Jim Kovaleski is grown grown in Maine. He also has a farm in Florida.

Sweetwater Organic Community Farms produce being distributed to members

Sweetwater Organic Community Farms produce is available for nonmembers and for sale at the market on Sundays.

Look at the color in this fresh eggplant for sale at the Sunday market

Mung Bean Balls are a tasty treat offered at the Sunday MArket at Sweetwater

​Mung Bean Balls (Banh Cam) are a Vietnamese dessert offered at the produce market. Mung beans are part of the legume family mainly cultivated in Pakistan, India, China. For this dish they are made into a paste, encased in a dough made with glutinous rice flour, rolled in sesame seeds, and deep-fried. On first bite the dough is tough and oily, but I get where they are going with it. The sweet paste married to the sesame seeds and fried dough is a tasty combination. I bet they would be a lot better hot, fresh out of the oil, instead of cold. I'd try them again.

---

Smoothie Man brings all that's good in organic eating to the market

Smoothie Man Black Eye Pea Burger on the grill

Smoothy Man Gregory

Mushrooms are sut to simulate meat for Smoothie Man's Philly steak burger

Kale salad is prepared using grated carrots and house dressing

​The pièce de résistance of my time at the farm was my visit with the Smoothie Man. The Smoothie Man (Gregory) is a constant at the Sweetwater Sunday market and the Saturday morning market in St. Petersburg. Like I said, I am not a vegetarian or a vegan, and his brand of food is all vegan and all delicious!
I order the Black Eyed Pea Burger with slight trepidation. I've had veggie burgers before and am not much of a fan. This one was different. The texture and flavor of the black-eyed pea mixture replicates burger meat. It's firm and "meaty". He adds avocado instead of cheese to give the sandwich a bit of creaminess when you bite. Mix that with the multigrain bread, onions, kale, and catsup and mustard, and it's a really tasty sandwich.
​Gregory has his burgers down to a science. His preparations shows years of experience. "Never press the burger when it's on the grill", he says, "Allow it to expand for the best texture". He also advises that veggie burgers need to be flipped more constantly than regular meat on a hot grill.
Having the moniker of Smoothie Man, he better bring it when it comes to the creamy libations. He and staff do! I am more of a fruit smoothie type of person, but he also offers green smoothies which include avocado, greens, celery, cucumber, pineapple, etc. and, the drinks are popular.  My Tropical Blend drink was fruity perfection; not too sweet, and not too chunky. The whir of the Vitamix is constant while walking around the vendor area. 
​

Smoothie Man Gregorie's everything burger, a combination of 3 different burgers (your choice), avocado, kale, mushrooms, onions and peppers being served

Smoothie Man Gregorie's Black Eye Pea Burger on the grill

Black Eye Pea Burger salad, with burger, greens, and house dressing

Organic Vegan Yogurt s served with freshly cut fruit .

---

Dancing Goat offers farm fresh goat, chicken, cow products at Sweetwater

Dancing Goats Farm goats milk products include kefir, yogurt, feta, and chevre crumbles, turmeric, and non-gmo cottage cheese

​

​Dancing Goat Farm is another little-known food asset that we have in the Bay area. They are providers of farm and dairy products including raw goat milk, kefir, yogurt, and free range eggs. They also offer goat milk soap and some cow products including raw cow milk and cream and are one of the key vendors at the Sunday market. I was fortunate enough to be able to go and photograph their farm last year. It was awesome!

Farm fresh free range eggs from Dancing Goat farm

¿Quieres comida mexicana? (Want Mexican food?)

Azteca Rojo tamale selection including Cochinita Pibil, Poblano Pepper and Cheese, and Red Chili Chicken

Azteca Rojo authentic Mexican food tent offers 4 types of tamales with salsa, slaw salad, and 4 sauces from mild to hot.

---

​In the mood for Mexican food? Azteca Rojo serves authentic dishes at several markets around the bay area including Sweetwater Farms. Their stated mission is to raise the bar for Mexican food in Tampa Bay.

Sweetwater Farms is open from October 15 2017 - May 20, 2018 but is not so easy to find! Market Parking is located off of Hanley Road and Comanche Avenue.  (Do not follow GPS to the address or you will end up in the wrong area!)  Even if you are not in the market for fresh organic produce, go for the food!