Since The Market at Cedar Key was severely damaged during Hurricane Helene and will not reopen, grocery options directly on the island have shifted. However, between our local specialty shops, knowing where to go before getting to Cedar Key, and convenient delivery services, stocking your kitchen for your Cedar Key stay is doable with a little advance planning.
Here is your complete guide to getting groceries, fresh & frozen seafood, and pantry items in and around Cedar Key—complete with store addresses.
1. On-Island First: Support Cedar Key Local Businesses
Before driving off-island, check out what our hometown businesses have to offer. Shopping locally directly supports our island community while getting you the freshest local seafood, quality meats, and quick meals right around the corner.
Main Street Mercantile & Salty C's
Address: 497 2nd St, Cedar Key, FL 32625
Best For: Dry pantry goods & locally roasted coffee up front at Main Street Mercantile, plus freezers stocked with locally caught fish and more at Salty C's in the back. (Read the I Love Cedar Key feature on Cedar Key’s Main Street Mercantile.)
1842 Daily Grind Coffee Shop
Address: 598 2nd St, Cedar Key, FL 32625
Best For: Locally roasted coffee and a freezer filled with premium, locally raised Quincey Cattle beef & other items to take home and cook.
Island Jiffy (Marathon Gas Station)
Address: 12810 Whiddon Ave, Cedar Key, FL 32625
Best For: Convenience staples (milk, bread, ice, beer, wine), a Hunt Brothers Pizza kitchen, and hot fried chicken, wings, tenders, potato wedges, fried okra, gizzards, and more.
Downtown Jiffy
Address: 526 2nd St, Cedar Key, FL 32625
Best For: Quick grabs of chips, ice, cold drinks, beer, liquor, wine, milk, and bread right in the heart of downtown.
Southern Cross Seafood
Address: 12170 State Road 24, Cedar Key, FL 32625
Best For: Fresh Cedar Key farm-raised clams and freezers stocked with fish.
Cedar Key Farmers Market
Location: Cedar Key City Park (2nd Street)
When: 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month (Except when the park is reserved for other events.)
Best For: Fresh produce, artisan sourdough breads, homemade preserves, honey, baked treats, and local crafts.
Locally roasted Cedar Key Coffee at Main Street Mercantile.
Specialty sauces and olive oil at Main Street Mercantile.
2. Grocery Delivery Direct to the Island
If you want the convenience of full supermarket shopping delivered right to your door, arrange for delivery straight to your rental or home:
Instacart: Delivers groceries straight to Cedar Key addresses. Order fresh produce, meats, dairy, and household goods from mainland stores and have them dropped off right at your door.
Walmart+: Delivers dry goods, pantry staples, pet supplies, paper products, and cleaning items directly onto the island. This service takes 1-2 days depending on your purchase. (Personal Tip: I recommend this service over Amazon. Deliveries tend to be faster and more reliable. You can also return purchases easier.)
3. Just Off the Island (Rosewood)
Dollar General
Address: 8410 SW State Road 24, Cedar Key, FL 32625 (Rosewood)
Best For: Pantry staples, produce, frozen meals, paper products, cleaning supplies, toiletries, and road snacks just a short drive off the island.
4. Mainland Supermarkets (On Your Drive In)
If you prefer to pick out your groceries in person before crossing the bridge, plan a stock-up stop at a mainland supermarket along your route:
Chiefland (~30 mins North via US-19):
Walmart Supercenter: 2201 N Young Blvd, Chiefland, FL 32626
ALDI: 2202 N Young Blvd, Chiefland, FL 32626
Inglis (~35 mins South via US-19):
Food Ranch: 40 S Highway 19, Inglis, FL 34449
Bronson (~35 mins East on SR 24)
Save-A-Lot : 380 E Hathaway Ave, Bronson, FL 32621
Crystal River (~50 mins South via US-19):
Publix Super Market: 6760 W Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River, FL 34429
ALDI: 1152 N Suncoast Blvd, Crystal River, FL 34429
ALDI: 6851 W Gulf to Lake Hwy, Crystal River, FL 34429
Gainesville (~1 hour East via SR 24):
Offers Walmart Supercenter, Publix, Sam’s Wholesale, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods Market, and ALDI.
Quick Cedar Key Provisioning Checklist
Shop Local Seafood & Meats First: Support island merchants! Visit Southern Cross Seafood (12170 SR 24) or Salty C's (497 2nd St) for fresh clams and local catch, and pick up Quincey Cattle beef at 1842 Daily Grind (598 2nd St).
Plan Your Grocery Store Stop Before Getting Into Town: Pack a cooler and stop at a mainland supermarket in Chiefland, Inglis, Crystal River, or Gainesville on your drive in to stock up on full grocery items and specialty produce.
Order Ahead for Delivery: Set up an Instacart or Walmart+ order to deliver items directly to your address after you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No, there is currently no traditional full-line supermarket operating on Cedar Key. The Market at Cedar Key was severely damaged during Hurricane Helene and will not reopen. However, you can buy fresh seafood, local beef, dry pantry goods, bread, milk, and hot prepared foods from on-island shops.
Yes! Both Instacart and Walmart+ deliver directly to homes and vacation rentals in Cedar Key. You can schedule a delivery to arrive right after you check into your rental.
The closest Walmart Supercenter is in Chiefland, FL, about 30 minutes north on State Road 24. The nearest Publix Super Market is located in Crystal River, FL (approx. 50 minutes south), or Gainesville, FL (approx. 1 hour east).
You can purchase fresh, farm-raised Cedar Key clams and frozen locally caught fish at Southern Cross Seafood (12170 SR 24) and Salty C's located in the back of Main Street Mercantile (497 2nd St).
I hope this guide helps you easily provision for your next trip to our island paradise! Everyone has their own system for keeping their rental or home stocked. What did you do to stock your kitchen while visiting Cedar Key? Did you stop on your way into town, rely on Instacart delivery, or cook up local clams and fresh catch all week? Share your best tips and favorite spots in the comments below!