North Carolina State Farmers Public Market
Contents
People in the state capital of North Carolina can find fresh produce, plants, and gifts year-round at one of the largest farmers’ markets in the state.
Farmers’ markets are a great place to find the freshest fruits and vegetables. Many of the markets are open in the summer and fall, and only on weekends. The State Farmers Market in Raleigh, North Carolina, is open all year round and every day of the week.
The market is easy to get to off of Interstate 40, exit 297. The proximity to The Triangle cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill provides a large population of customers looking for the freshest produce from the nearby farms in the area, many from Johnston County, just to the south.
Produce at the Farmers’ Market
This market is a true farmers’ market, not a grocery store. The vendors sell their own products, fresh from the fields, many of them picked that morning. Customers have a choice of products but don’t expect to find items out of season.
Grocery stores may supplement their fresh produce from other countries and continents, but the only items sold here come from nearby farms. If there are no fresh radishes the day you visit, there won’t be any sold at this market.
North Carolina’s warm climate does provide for a diverse, long growing season. Strawberries are ready early in the spring, and corn is sold even before summer. Peaches are early, and fruit is available well into the fall. Customers must familiarize themselves with the growing seasons or the Carolinas, or just enjoy the fresh produce of the time they visit. Or visit repeatedly to sample the large bounty of this land.
Other Items at the Farmers’ Market
In the spring and summer months, there is a large selection of plants and flowers native to the region, and others that thrive in the Carolina heat.
Pastries are sold in the area next to the produce, to satisfy a sweet tooth while shopping or to take home. In a nearby building, The Market Shoppes has a large selection of candy, art, honey, crafts, paintings, and jams. Much of the merchandise is from North Carolina, but there are products of other states mixed in. Several shops sell meat products from the region.
Restaurants at the State Farmers Market
There is a full-service restaurant on-site, as well as the NC Seafood Restaurant, which fries up fresh catch from the waters off the Carolina Coast, which is just a few hours away. Items are also prepared in a more healthful broiled fashion. There is also a small stand serving hot dogs in The Market Shoppes.
The State Farmers Market is open all year. Monday to Saturday, hours are from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s a great place to pick up some fresh veggies for dinner.
North Carolina State Farmers Public Market
1201 Agriculture St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Phone: (919) 733-7417