Shop for Local + Rare Tropical Fruit in South Florida
As most of you know, Hendry and I changed our diet in 2021 and are incorporating a lot more fruit. We also really wanted eat more local fruit (this is the tropics!) and financially support local farms and businesses.
There are some great farmer’s markets in the area (we’ve heard A LOT about the Coconut Grove one), but we’ve found that with a little more effort and driving we can get better prices. This is important since we eat fruit for 1-2 meals a day and go through a lot of it!!!
If you aren’t in South FL and want tropical fruits, Miami Fruits and Inti Fruits have great options! Because of shipping, prices probably won’t allow huge quantities. Our soursop guy also ships! I believe Serendib Fruits will also ship upon request.
If you’re in NYC, check out Chinatown (and please report back with what you find + prices!!!!!).
Guanabana Connection (and local mangos seasonally) - Kendale Lakes
12200 Sw 46th St Miami, Fl 33175
Phone Number: (305) 281 - 0470
Text and tell how many lbs you want. As of our last purchase (3/21/21) price was $7/ lb. One fruit is usually 1lb or a little more.
*he also ships soursops nationally! you will have to pay for overnight shipping.
Kiki Produce - Kendale Lakes
12200 Sw 46th St Miami, Fl 33175
Phone Number: (786) 346 - 6708
We discovered this place while picking up our soursop. They had really affordable local passionfruit, pink guava, and pink custard apple! We also bought some red bananas + some affordable, non-local Keitt mangos. They also had some great looking Mexican Papayas.
We’ve only been once so far, but I’m sure they always have great local options based on what’s in season!
Rubio’s Farm La Esperanza- Homestead
29220 sw 177th ave Homestead, FL 33030
Phone Number: (786) 399 - 6375
This is our spot for local red lady papayas!!! They are grown here and they are always amazing. We also buy the Thai baby bananas they grow.
They always have a great variety of other (mostly local) tropical fruits such as yellow dragonfruit, sapodilla, mamey, passionfruit, soursop etc. seasonally
We also often buy non-local mangos here for good prices (I’m certain they have local during season).
29100 SW 177th Ave, Homestead, FL 33030
This is the place for local, organic vegetables! They grow many different types of lettuces, kales, collards etc. They also grow eggplant, squash, zuccini and tomatoes. You can even pick your own veggies here, which makes for a fun weekend activity. This is also directly across the street from Rubio’s Farm so you can go to both in a row.
Serendib Fruits - Homestead/ Redlands
25495 sw 197 Ave, Homestead, FL 33031
Phone Number: (305) 323 - 8159
This is a couple with a giant tropical farm. You drive into their driveway to pick-up. Everything is local/ grown by them + fruit availability is constantly changing as fruits come in and out of season. Make sure to text them what you want and have them confirm they have!
We’ve bought passionfruit, avocado, jujube, jackfruit + pink custard apples so far!
Rancho Viejo Restaurant - Homestead
17000 SW 177th Ave, Miami, FL 33187
This is a restaurant that also sells produce. They usually have great tropical avocados ($2 each last time we went, again they are about 2x the size of a hass. I believe we’ve been eating the Choquette variety). We’ve also bought a custard apple here.
Robert Is Here Fruitstand and Farm
19200 SW 344th St, Homestead, FL 33034
This is a bit of a tourist destination (there is a smoothie + cuban food stand, petting zoo setup etc) but it is absolutely the place to go if you want to try a very large variety of different tropical fruits. Robert has everything. Prices here run $1-4 more per pound compared to other places, so we only stop by if we can’t find something we want elsewhere.
Side of the Road in Homestead
8800 SW 177th Ave, Miami, FL 33196 or Corner of SW 136th St & Krome Ave
We’ve found great non-local mango cases + watermelons + 3/ $5 local tropical avocados (they are more than 2x the size of a hass. I believe we’ve been eating the Choquette variety)
Lily’s Farmers Market - Homestead
16405 SW 177 Ave Miami, FL 33187
Phone Number: (786) 226 - 1126
Local soursop pick-ups on Fridays only. Call first. We’ve been calling and haven’t had luck yet, but we’ll update once we’ve tried their sops.
Pricing:
these prices are estimates to give you an idea of what you might spend and whether where you’re shopping is a good price.
Local Red Lady Papayas: $.75 per lb
Passionfruit $4 - $6 per lb
Thai Bananas ~$1 per lb
Large Tropical Avocados: 3 for $5 - $2-3 each
Soursop: $7 - $11 per lb
Pink Custard Apple $6.50 - $7.50 per lb
Jackfruit (pods only, pre-cut + extra flesh discarded): $7.50 per lb
Non-local mangos: $.50 - $2 each (the little yellow ones tend to be more affordable)
Yellow Dragonfruit: $1 (ugly + ripe) - $5 each