I grew up in Little Havana, a charming neighborhood about 15 minutes away from South Beach. Although Little Havana doesn’t have the scent of suntan lotion and mimosas whisking through its streets, it’s replaced with fried novelties like croquetas, empanadas, and yuca.
Another place that is only a few tire rolls away from Little Havana is a new-ish art district called Wynwood.
Wynwood’s walls are slathered with reds, pinks, greens, and lively colors. The artwork stretches for blocks, attracting both locals and tourists alike. Additionally, the neighborhood's blocks cradle booming businesses such as breweries, cocktail lounges, and vegan fares.
La Guardia Produce
During my relatively short time in Wynwood, it wasn’t the busy streets and colors that pulled me into the neighborhood, but a small market called La Guardia Produce that was nearly bursting through the seams with fresh fruit and vegetables at an affordable price tag.
Between NW 2nd avenue and NW 34th Street, the market stands just a few blocks away from the popular part of Wynwood, on a bubble-gum spotted sidewalk, with spray-painted buildings holding onto their faded colors.
The market can be easy to miss, as its building isn't bold with color and height. On the contrary, the market is hidden behind metal, green bars, but if you walk slowly and pay attention to the people buzzing in and out, you’ll notice there’s fresh produce crowded in cardboard boxes, laying on metal shelves.
Although I didn’t discover this quaint market, my grandmother did. Living in Little Havana, she wanted to find affordable, fresh produce for her Puerto Rican staples like sofrito. However, the closest grocery store near her home was Winn-Dixie and Sedanos all of which were “expensive.”
To get to La Guardia Produce, she usually travels to the market on two buses, with her fancy free bus card they provide to Miami’s elderly. Although it’s a bit of a conquest to get to the market, it’s worth it to her.
During my trip to the market, I understood why it was a gold-mine to her and others who reside in neighboring areas. For everything you ever needed in your kitchen, this tiny place had it. I knew my trip to Miami was nearing its expiration, but I filled my basket with my go-to kitchen items for the rest of my family.
Here’s what I bought for about $17:
- Mushrooms
- Broccoli
- Avocados
- Onion
- Squash
- Bananas
- Potatoes
- Apples
- Mangoes
- Lentils
You won’t find the market chilled with air conditioning, beautiful signs, or shouting price drops, but you’ll find exactly what you came for: fresh, affordable produce.
If you’re living in Miami, specifically in Little Havana, Wynwood, Overtown, Little Haiti, and other surrounding neighborhoods, definitely give La Guardia a try. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for plant-based foods at a great price.
According to Google, here’s La Guardia’s current hours of operation:
Monday → Closed
Tuesday → 8:30 AM - 6:30 AM
Wednesday → 8:30 AM - 6:30 AM
Thursday → 8:30 AM - 6:30 AM
Friday → 8:30 AM - 6:30 AM
Saturday → 8 AM - 5 PM
Sunday → 8 AM - 5 PM
La Guardia's Location
Additionally, they are located at 3327 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127. For additional information on La Guardia Produce, call 305-318-7690, or visit their Yelp page.
Easy Plant-Based Lentil Burgers
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