Petition Update: A Temporary Victory!! Our Work Isn't Finished
First, thank you to everyone who signed, shared, attended meetings, spoke out & stood with the Original Downtown Punta Gorda Farmers Market. Because of the overwhelming community support, including the 1,273 signatures on this petition & the many residents who voiced their concerns, City Council has decided to extend the market's current temporary permit through December 2026. This means the Original Downtown Punta Gorda Farmer's Market will continue operating as it has while the City evaluates future permitting requirements & a potential new fee structure. While this is encouraging news, it is important to understand that this is only a temporary extension, not a permanent solution.
The annual permits that provided long-term stability for nearly 18 years have not yet been restored. City officials will spend the coming months determining what permits will be required in the future & whether new fees or regulations will be imposed on the market. That means the concerns that led to this petition still exist.
For nearly 18 years, the Original Downtown Punta Gorda Farmers Market has:
• Supported local farmers, artisans & small businesses.
• Generated significant foot traffic & revenue for downtown Punta Gorda.
• Served as a community gathering place for residents & guests.
• Provided access to fresh local food through SNAP/EBT programs.
• Enhanced Punta Gorda's reputation as a welcoming destination for tourism & community engagement.
• Earned statewide & national recognition, being voted the Best Small Market in Florida & ranked 15th among small markets nationwide.
The market's success was not created overnight. It was built over nearly two decades through consistent management, community trust & the dedication of dozens of local vendors. Its statewide & national recognition demonstrates that the market is already a proven model of success & an asset that brings positive attention, tourism & economic activity to Downtown Punta Gorda.
We remain committed to our original goal:
The restoration of long-term annual permits & the preservation of the Original Downtown Punta Gorda Farmers Market exactly as it has successfully operated for nearly 18 years.
We respectfully ask supporters to continue signing & sharing this petition until permanent annual permitting is restored & the future of the market is secured.
Every signature sends a clear message to City Council that the community supports the Original Downtown Punta Gorda Farmers Market, values its proven success & wants its long-standing operation protected for future generations.
Thank you for standing with us. Together, we have made our voices heard, but our work is not yet finished.
Please continue sharing this petition with friends, family, neighbors, visitors, vendors & anyone who values our beloved market, local artisans, local agriculture, small local businesses & community traditions.
Current Signature Count: 1273 & Growing Daily
Next Goal: 2,000 Signatures
If you've already signed, verify that your signature was recorded by attempting to sign again, many have discovered that their signature was not received. Please share the petition with at least 3 friends. Together we can demonstrate that the community wants the Original Downtown Punta Gorda Farmers Market preserved exactly as it has operated for nearly 18 years. You DO NOT have to DONATE or take the survey to sign the petition, you can skip through those sections. The future of the Original Downtown Punta Gorda Farmers Market depends on continued public support. EVERY SIGNATURE COUNTS!