Farmers Market had its first event of the year Oct. 5 in Downtown Bradenton and many came out to buy crafts and fresh produce. Old Main Street was bustling with live music and had many tents out where vendors sold colorful produce, organic honey and fresh lemonade. A woman walked out of the event holding two vibrant green watermelons. The retail stores and busy restaurants brought in opportunities for curious onlookers to check out the event and take the time to shop or have lunch. Residents and vendors held conversations, laughing about the people they had encountered and making new friendships. Some knew each other from previous events and took the time to catch up with their lives.
One of the vendors that received attention was Leah’s Lemonade. The small tent was filled with customers, buying flavored lemonades and non-dairy smoothies. Prices ranged from $3.25 to $4.75. Leah Cole and her family created the lemonade stand three years ago to help raise money to feed orphans. She is a 10-year-old girl in fourth grade with a set goal.
“After the earthquake in Haiti, I wanted to raise money and help the orphans,” Cole said with a gummy smile. She was accompanied by her father, Glen Cole, who explained how their business started and his daughter’s determination. “Even in kindergarten she said she wanted to feed the orphans,” Glen Cole said. He added that the profits were going to local programs and would build up to reach Leah’s goal, which was to help the orphans in Haiti. He stood by his daughter’s side with a smile on his face despite the afternoon sun beating down on them. Her family is currently in the process of creating a non-profit program called “Feed Every Child.” The program will provide food and clothing to children in Haiti and other countries.
Leah Cole has not stopped coming up with future goals, adding that she wanted to think globally and help those in Uganda and Africa. Her father high-fived her hand as another bright smile appeared. Glen Cole commented that this year they have set up the stand at three farmers markets in Bradenton, Sarasota and Venice.
When it came to the flavors, Leah Cole was not shy about telling what her stand offered and added that her mother was the one creating most of them including the popular ginger lemonade. “She’s the creative one,” Cole said about her mother. “We have guava lemonade, mango lemonade, strawberry-banana lemonade, and in the fall we have cider lemonade. We also have smoothies.”
I tried the ginger lemonade and it was a delicious mixture. The lemons were freshly squeezed, the ginger didn’t turn the lemonade too sweet and really balanced out the taste. Leah’s Lemonade will be at the Farmers Market events every Saturday during the season between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Her family created a website and Facebook page with more information and for anyone wanting to support Leah’s goal. A link to the “Feed Every Child” program has been provided as well.
http://leahslemonade.com/Home.html