Now that Memorial Day has passed, our thoughts turn to summer; and one of the greates things about this time of the year is the availability of numerous fresh fruits and vegetables. While grocery stores stock up on all of the current fruits and veggies, there is nothing fresher than buying your goods directly from the farmer at your local farmer’s market.
Both Andrew and I are serious cooks, and one of the many things we love about living here in North Carolina is our access to high quality fresh foods.
The Triangle Area is blessed with a plethora of farmers’ markets, so there is no reason you can’t enjoy delicious fresh foods this summer. Many of these markets offer far more than just fruits and vegetables. Many offer a number of other foods including dairy products, fresh eggs, locally raised meats and fresh baked good, as well as cooking demonstrations, live music, contests, and other events. Let’s take a look at some of the markets in the area.
Durham Farmers' Market
The Pavilion, 501 Foster Street, Durham Sat. 8 - noon, Wed. 3:00-6:00.
The Durham Farmers' Market has a very large selection of organic and conventional produce from local farms within 70 miles of the market. A large roofed area provides protection from the elements. There is live music to enjoy while you shop. About once a month, they offer cooking classes for kids, and there are other fun events centered on food.
State Farmers’ Market in Raleigh
1201 Agriculture Street, Raleigh Mon. – Sat. 5 am – 6 pm, Sun. 8 am – 6 pm.
The State Farmers' Market offers a huge selection of conventionally-grown produce in its 30,000 square-foot Farmers building. Permanent roofs shelter vendors all year. A good portion of the area is devoted to plant sales, so you can grow your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. In the Market Shoppes building, you can find fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and bakery items from around the country, along with North Carolina wines and several candy shops. There are also two acres displaying architectural elements for your home, such as fountains, trellises, water features, and ironwork. What the market lacks in cooking demonstrations and live music, it makes up for in the sheer variety of its offerings.
Carrboro Farmers’ Market
301 West Main St., Carrboro Sat. 7 - noon, Wed. 3:30 – 6:30.
The Carrboro Farmers' Market has a huge selection of local (within 50 miles) organic and conventional produce along with meats, eggs, cheeses, pastries, breads, local crafts, pottery, baskets, metalwork, and more. Roof structures shelter everyone in bad weather. A central gazebo is host to food demonstrations and fun festivals. The market has a national reputation.
Western Wake Farmers’ Market
1225 Morrisville Carpenter Rd., Morrisville Sat. 8 - noon, Tues. 3:30 – 6:30.
Started by a group of moms looking for better quality, healthy food, this market has a wide selection of locally-grown produce. They also have free cooking demonstrations and you can browse the market while listening to good live music.
Chatham Mills Farmers’ Market
480 Hillsboro St., Pittsboro Sat. 8 – noon.
Located in Pittsboro this farmers market has it all. They sell fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, eggs, baked goods, preserved foods, and prepared foods, along with hand-spun yarn, cut flowers, bath and body products, and other items.
Midtown Farmers’ Market
4150 Main, Raleigh Saturdays 8 – noon.
This market has 35 vendors providing locally-produced fruits, vegetables, breads, chocolates, nuts, dairy products, and meats, along with prepared foods, woodworking items, artisan jewelry, crafts, and more. Located in the Six Forks Mall area, the market also provides cooking demonstrations and live music while you shop.
These are just a few of the more than 25 farmers’ markets in the Triangle area. Below we have listed most of the others. Spend a few Saturday mornings exploring the farmers’ markets around the area. Pick your favorites and then enjoy fresh food all summer long!
Other Local Farmers' Markets In The Triangle Area
South Durham Farmers’ Market
5410 NC Highway 55, Durham
Sat. 8 – noon
Raleigh Downtown Farmers’ Market
Fayetteville Street Mall, Raleigh
Wed. 10 am – 2 pm
Cary Downtown Farmers’ Market
301 S. Academy St., Cary
Sat. 8 am - 12:30 pm, Tues. 2 - 6 pm
The Growers’ Market at Fuquay-Varina
102 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina
Sat. 9 am - 2 pm, Wed. 3 - 6 pm
Holly Springs Farmers’ Market
128 S. Main St., Holly Springs
Sat. 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
The Saturday Market
301 Kinsey Street (Boylan Heights), Raleigh
Sat. 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Apex Farmers’ Market
220 N. Salem St., Apex Sat. 9 am - 2 pm
Wendell Farmers’ Market
3700 Wendell Blvd., Wendell
Sat. 8 am – noon
Wake Forest Farmers’ Market
150 N. White St., Wake Forest
Sat. 8 am – noon
Western Wake Farmers’ Market
1225 Morrisville Carpenter Road
Sat. 8 am – noon
Pittsboro Farmers’ Market
191 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Thurs. 3:30 - 6:30 pm
Fearrington Farmers’ Market
Fearrington Village
Tues. 4 - 6 pm
Eno River Farmers’ Market
144 E. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough
Sat. 8 am - noon
Southern Village Farmers’ Market
400 Market St., Chapel
Thurs. 3:30 - 6:30 pm
Chapel Hill Farmers’ Market
201 S. Estes Drive; Chapel Hill
Sat. 8 am – noon, Tues. 3 - 6 pm
Hillsborough Farmers’ Market
625 Hampton Point Blvd., Hillsborough
Sat. 8 am - noon
Leave A Comment