By B.C. Manion
When John Ciani decided he wanted to venture into a new business, he chose something personally satisfying and beneficial to others, not only to himself.
So, he decided to launch Odessa Organic Farmer’s Market, a place where customers can buy organic fruits and vegetables as well as dairy products.

The outdoor business, under a big tent at 8701 Gunn Highway, features locally-grown organic fruits, vegetables and locally-produced dairy products and offers them to customers who come primarily from Keystone, Odessa and nearby communities.
The business offers vegetables grown by Magnolia Farm in Wesley Chapel and fruits and vegetables grown by Parke Family HydroFarms in Dover. It also sells dairy products from The Dancing Goat, a business in northwestern Hillsborough County.
Buying locally allows Ciani to offer competitive prices, he said.
Ciani, who has been in the lawn care business for a couple of decades, said the organic stand represents something he’s passionate about. He wants to bring healthy fruits and vegetables to the local market, and he believes there’s a demand for it, especially among young people, he said.
The stand’s offerings include green onions, lettuce, beets, spinach, bok choy, swiss chard, red peppers, collard greens, squash, cucumbers and other organic vegetables. It also sells a few organic fruits.
Besides being a place where patron can pick up fruits and vegetables, Ciani also wants his stand to become a focal point for community gatherings.
Along those lines, he’s staging his first Odessa Open Market day from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 7. He expects more than 20 vendors, including a beer vendor, and there will be live entertainment, Ciani said. Alex’s Southern Style Barbecue, which has a stand on the front part of the property, will also be on hand.
Ciani hopes the occasional open markets will create a place where people from Odessa and Keystone and other nearby communities will gather to shop, enjoy the ambience and socialize.
In the future, Ciani also plans to build a stage on the rear portion of his lot and where he plans to hold concerts.
The market days will be free, but the concerts will have varying charges, Ciani said.
Ciani said he was motivated to launch his business because he’s passionate about offering healthy food choices.
“I have children and grandchildren,” said Ciani, who lives in Lake Magdalene and is a graduate of Chamberlain High.
He hopes his business will develop a strong following and said he is always open to listening to ideas from patrons for ways he can improve it.
“I want it to be for the people of Odessa and Keystone,” he said. “I want it to be comfortable for everyone. If people have suggestions — suggest.”
For more information about the stand’s operating hours or future open markets call Ciani at (813) 944-8654 or email
If you go
Odessa Open Market, 8701 Gunn Highway
More than 20 vendors, including a beer vendor, live entertainment, Alex’s Southern Style Barbecue.
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More information: (813) 944-8654 or
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