Farmer's market season is filled with fresh and local foods. Local
produce not only typically tastes better than grocery store produce, but
it’s usually better for you since it’s not packed with preservatives.
Farmer’s markets are also an easy way to support you community and
local farmers. Just remember to pack cash and bring your own bag!
We’ve put together a list of some of the best items to purchase at
the farmer’s market instead of the grocery store.
Berries
When you buy berries from the grocery store they have most likely been
imported from somewhere. So if you like grocery store berries you’re
going to love fresh berries form the farmer’s market. Ask the vendor
you’re buying from what berries are in season to get the freshest
(and most delicious) fruit.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are loaded with a ton of health benefits including vitamin A,
vitamin C, potassium and fiber. Tomatoes are fairly easy to farm too,
so they can be more cost effective at the farmer’s market than the
grocery store. Farmer’s market tomatoes serve as a delicious snack
that’s packed with nutritional value. Not to mention they go great
on pizza and pasta.
Carrots
When you think of carrots you probably picture the classic orange carrots
that you find at the grocery store. At the farmer's market, carrots
come in a variety of colors like yellow, orange and purple. Look out for
the purple ones, not only are they delicious but they’re loaded
with antioxidants.
Eggs
Poultry farming can be a lot of work, so local eggs can be a little pricier
than grocery store eggs, but are well worth the cost. Buying eggs at the
farmer's market not only supports ethically raised chickens, but local
eggs typically have less fat and cholesterol than grocery store eggs.
Stone Fruit
Stone fruits include peaches, nectarines and plums, and if you’ve
ever had fresh, local stone fruits you’ll never go back to buying
them at the grocery store. When you purchase stone fruits from the grocery
store, you often have to leave them on the counter for a few days to ripen.
They can ripen on your counter, but they won’t sweeten, so it’s
best to let them ripen on the vine and eat them fresh, which you can do
when you purchase them from the farmer’s market.
Use the links below to learn more about the farmer’s market close to you:
Gastonia Farmer’s Market
Mount Holly Farmer’s Market
Foothills Farmer’s Market in Shelby
Lincoln County Farmer’s Market
7th Street Public Market in Charlotte
Charlotte Regional Farmer’s Market
Mecklenburg County Market
NoDa Farmer’s Market in Charlotte
Old Town Farmer’s Market in Rock Hill
Pineville Farmer’s Market
The Village at Robinson Farmer’s Market