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The mango passion travels from the olfactory senses to the brain in a second.
The smell is good enough to eat, but this bit of mango is wrapped up in a bar of soap.
"I make everything myself," Karrie Troutt said.
Troutt is the owner of Paradise Handmade Soap Company and during the hot summer months she sets up a booth in an area that catches a breeze at the Cape Harbour farmers market. She markets her sweet-smelling bath products online, but enjoys the opportunity to meet her customers face to face.
"I love the atmosphere here," Troutt said. "Even though it's summer we get a nice breeze and it's just a beautiful market."
Realmark Development started the Cape Harbour market four years ago. Unlike most markets in the area, this one runs through the summer months. The market begins shortly after the city market closes for the season each April. The Cape Harbour market closes at the end of the summer just before the city market reopens in the fall.
"We felt it could be successful because a lot of residents are here full time," Laura Straus said.
Straus is managing broker for Realmark Realty Group and helped set up the market. She invited vendors to set up their stands free of charge.
In return, Cape Harbour sees an influx of visitors each Saturday morning, many of whom stop by the area's permanent stores and restaurants for a bite to eat or to pick up a souvenir.
"We've gotten bigger and better," Straus said.
The market is small, with eight to 16 vendors setting up on any given Saturday.
Customers come from throughout the city, looking for fresh produce, honey, seafood, or a chance to try a new food like homemade peanut butter or artisanal bread.
"It gives them a chance to get out," Straus said. "We've had a tremendous response."
Jim Andrews, who owns C&J Produce with his wife Colleen Madd, said business has been good in part because the company uses as much local produce as possible.
"Anytime there's Florida (produce) available, we buy Florida first," Andrews said. "We buy it cheaper so we can sell it cheaper."
Andrews said he gets much of his produce from Immokalee and Plant City growers, then looks farther north for vegetables that don't grow well here in the summer. Peaches come from Georgia, but are trucked in shortly after they are picked from the tree.
"We try to have a good variety," Andrews said.
Although cost can be a factor - farmers markets offer cheaper prices than retail grocery stores - customers at the Cape Harbour farmers market are looking for a good deal but aren't afraid to spend a bit extra for something that is higher quality.
"Ninety percent want a better product," Todd Johnson said.
Johnson owns Artisan Bread Company, and offers everything from yeast and sweet breads to granola. His most popular items include ciabatta and focaccia bread and granola.
"People who come to farmers markets tend to be more health conscious," Johnson said.
Getting a good deal can be part of the experience. Johnson's products sell for less than $5, so customers can stock up.
This year business has been steady, a trend that Johnson hopes will continue.
"Having done the market last year, it decreased through the summer months," Johnson said. "This year we've had a good start. I'd like to see it ... doing as well in September as it is now."
How the market thrives depends on the support of local residents.
Gesine Hess started coming to the market two years ago on her annual vacation from Germany. This year, she plans to come back every week for the four weeks she is here.
"I like the atmosphere here," Hess said. "It's a little bit like Italy."
Hess said the market allows her to whittle her list for the grocery store, and spend money for items that she likes.
"I like the tomatoes and bread," she said.
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Additional Facts
If You Go
• What: Cape Harbour farmers market
• When: 8 a.m. to noon, Saturdays through the end of September
• Where: Cape Harbour, 5789 Cape Harbour Drive
• Contact: capeharbour.com or 945-6116
Ripe tomatoes don't last long at the Cape Harbour farmers' market. The Saturday morning market runs through the summer months when the city market is closed.
Colleen Madd bags up fresh tomatoes for customer Jim Andreas at the Cape Harbour farmers' market.
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