Year: 2025
Kurō Sushi Will Open on Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street on Saturday, Nov. 1
Ranch Nite Wednesdays returns in Lakewood Ranch after summer break
Building Communities That Last: Q&A with Laura Cole
The Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch Was Just Recognized as the Best Farmers Market in the U.S.
M/I Homes Raises $141,000 for Cancer Research Through Sweetwater at Lakewood Ranch Benefit Home
M/I Homes Raises $141,000 for Cancer Research Through Sweetwater at Lakewood Ranch Benefit Home
SARASOTA, FL — In a powerful demonstration of community collaboration and corporate philanthropy, M/I Homes has announced a $141,000 donation to Pelotonia, a nonprofit organization committed to funding life-saving cancer research. The funds were raised through the sale of a specially designated Benefit Home in the Sweetwater at Lakewood Ranch community.
This year’s initiative brought together builders, vendors, and developers in a shared mission to support groundbreaking cancer research. A key contributor was Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Inc., developer of Lakewood Ranch, which donated more than $15,000 toward the effort.
“We’re honored to be part of a cause that touches so many lives,” said Sandy Shahinian Levins, VP of Marketing for Schroeder-Manatee Ranch. “Cancer research is a cause close to our hearts, and we’re proud to join M/I Homes in making a difference.”
The donation was formally presented at a recognition event held on October 6, where Erika Walker, Pelotonia’s Philanthropy & Stewardship Manager,
accepted the check on behalf of the organization. “This generous contribution from M/I Homes and its partners continues to fuel our mission to end cancer,” said Walker. “Their commitment not only provides critical funding but also raises awareness and inspires others to get involved.”
Greg Crawford, president of M/I Homes Sarasota division, emphasized the collective nature of the achievement: “This donation represents the heart of our community. It’s the result of countless hours, generous contributions, and a shared belief that together, we can make a difference.”
The benefit home program is part of M/I Homes’ broader national partnership with Pelotonia, reinforcing the company’s dedication to causes that improve lives and strengthen communities.
To learn more about M/I Homes’ partnership with Pelotonia, visit www.mihomes.com/pelotonia/overview.
Lakewood Ranch’s Waterfront Farmers’ Market Selected as #1 Farmers Market in America
NEWS RELEASE
Media Contact: Kaitlyn Perez, news@kpcstrategies.com, 941.229.0879
Lakewood Ranch’s Waterfront Farmers’ Market Selected as #1 Farmers Market in America
Lakewood Ranch, FL – October 3, 2025 – Lakewood Ranch’s year-round farmers’ market has been named the #1 Farmers Market in America by American Farmland Trust, topping nearly 1,300 markets nationwide in the organization’s 17th annual celebration. The Market also earned the top spot in Florida.
Every Sunday brings fresh food, arts, culture, live music, activities, and more, all of which are delivered by local vendors. Much like Lakewood Ranch itself, the Market has something for all ages. With more than 100 vendors selling fresh produce, artisanal goods, prepared foods, and crafts, the Market reflects the region’s energy and diversity. However, the experience goes beyond browsing local stands. Families sip locally roasted coffee while seated in Adirondack chairs overlooking the water, neighbors dance to vibrant live music, and children and families share memorable moments at the Ranch’s lakefront town center, Waterside Place.
What sets this market apart is its atmosphere, unique local vendors, and endless activities. Children enjoy their own “Kids’ Zone,” featuring monthly STEM programs, face painting, and storytelling, keeping the younger visitors engaged. The thoughtfully designed master-planned community has always emphasized education, so it’s only fitting that even on weekends, the Ranch provides a place to merge learning and fun.
Some popular features of the Market include a subscription-based Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) box that helps shoppers experiment with seasonal vegetables and learn more about Florida’s growing cycles. The Market also partners with Harvest SRQ, a food gleaning initiative where volunteers work with farmers to collect surplus produce and deliver it to local shelters and nonprofits, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
“This recognition is a true reflection of our hardworking team, the 100+ talented vendors, and the thousands of attendees who relentlessly support local businesses,” commented Lakewood Ranch’s Events and Resident Experience Manager, Nicole Hackel. “From location to atmosphere, our Market has become more than just a place to shop; it’s a gathering place, a weekly tradition, and a true community hub.”
For vendors, the Market is both a launching pad for small businesses and a source of community connection, where passion for craft meets purpose. Michael Top, owner of Camelot Breads, retired from banking at 55, earned a culinary degree, and began baking small batches of bread from the comfort of his home. Today, he mills his own flour, sources organic ingredients from Florida farms, and produces hundreds of loaves each week. Known for his farm-to-table breads and community spirit, he offers free loaves to customers over 90 and invites local kids to work at his booth, making him a beloved fixture of the Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch.
“This market is really the grassroots of the American dream,” adds Top. “It supports the idea that some businesses may have started in their garage, but here they are now—a success. They are selling their products to people who appreciate quality and want to support small businesses.”
The Farmers’ Market at Lakewood Ranch takes place weekly on Sundays at the community’s popular Waterside Place. For more information, visit lakewoodranch.com/life-on-the-ranch/themarket/.
ABOUT LAKEWOOD RANCH
Developed by Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Lakewood Ranch is the 55-square-mile, award-winning master-planned community located in Sarasota and Manatee counties on Florida’s west coast. Just a few miles from the region’s white-sand beaches and offering a robust mix of cultural assets, Lakewood Ranch is home to more than 74,000 residents. It has ranked as the nation’s top-selling multigenerational master-planned community for seven consecutive years and serves as a major economic engine for the region, with more than 22,000 people employed across a growing mix of businesses, healthcare facilities, and commercial centers. The community also features top-rated schools, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, the 75-acre Premier Sports Campus, Sarasota Polo Club, and three vibrant town centers with shopping, dining, and entertainment. Lakewood Ranch is a place where individuals and families can put down roots, build careers, and find community. For more information, visit lakewoodranch.com.
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation’s Builders Give Back Program Celebrates $118,800 Raised to Date
LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (September 22, 2025) – The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation (LWRCF) recently held its Builders Give Back program annual meeting, sponsored by Williams Parker-Waterside and hosted by Good Liquid Brewing in Waterside. The program, which has raised $118,800 for LWRCF since its inception in 2023, is an initiative of LWRCF, Lakewood Ranch Communities, and 11 of the community’s premier builders.
For every new home closing, the participating builders – Anchor Builders, AR Homes, Homes by Towne, John Cannon Homes, Lee Wetherington Homes, Lennar, M/I Homes, Neal Communities, Neal Signature Homes, Pulte Homes, and Stock – make a donation to LWRCF in the new homeowner’s name. Lakewood Ranch Communities, the developer of Lakewood Ranch, matches each contribution.
With a “live here, give here” approach, the work of LWRCF is to support the nonprofits making an impact in Lakewood Ranch, as well as in Manatee and Sarasota counties. The Builders Give Back program allows new residents to experience the giving culture of Lakewood Ranch right when they move in.
For more information about the Builders Give Back program and LWRCF, visit LWRCF.org or call 941-208-6799.
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The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit devoted to enhancing the quality of life in and near the Lakewood Ranch, Florida community by responding to needs, granting funds, and building lasting relationships. Since its founding in 2000, the fund has granted over $1.5 million to more than 140 nonprofit organizations to directly improve the lives of Lakewood Ranch residents. Let us “Open the Door.”
MEDIA CONTACT
Nyda Bittmann-Neville, Nyda@TNBGroup.com, 828-246-4525
