Compiled by Madison V. Fisler
May 30, 2013. Summertime in the High Country means fresh local produce, soft artisan breads, right-from-the-farm eggs and much more. Farmers’ markets all around the mountain region are gearing up for the 2013 summer to share their local wares with the residents and visitors that eagerly await the opening of the markets from the start of our famously harsh winters. The markets provide a rare chance to see where your food and other items are coming from, and meet all of the people in person who make it happen. So grab the family and your reusuable shopping bags and head down to your local market to see what your community has to offer.
The Watauga County Farmers’ Market, located at the Horn in the West parking lot in Boone, has been providing a venue for customers to explore what their local farmers and producers have to offer since 1974. You can find the market bustling with eager customers each Saturday morning between May and November from 8 a.m. until noon. The Watauga Farmers’ Market boasts more than just fresh local fare. You can also find live music, free cooking demonstrations, art demonstrations and even a special market for the kids on select weekends. For more information on the Watauga County Farmers’ Market, click here.
Every Thursday afternoon through October, Park Avenue just off of Main Street becomes the setting for the Blowing Rock Farmers’ Market. From 4 – 6 p.m. vendors offer the community fresh produce, meats, eggs, honey, herbs, sweet baked goods, flowers, pastas and more. Notable vendors include Bella Rooster Garden and Gourmet, Blue Ridge Apiaries, Faith Mountain Farm, GOat GREEN Farm, Moretz’s Mountain Orchard, Mountain Memories Farm and more. For more information, contact the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 828-295-7851
The Avery County Farmers’ Market has two locations to better serve the community. The Thursday market, which is located by Lees-McRae College, is open from 5-7 p.m. on Tate’s Lawn. The Friday market, which will begin on June 21, will run from 5-7 p.m. in Newland Town Park. At both markets you can find fresh produce and baked goods, as well as flowers, poultry, jams and jellies and much more. For more information, click here.
Running through October, the Ashe County Farmers’ Market is located in West Jefferson and runs on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Here, you can sample produce, home-grown nursery items, and other local fare. The market also features specific days for quilting, fibers, cooking demonstrations, berry pie contests, grilling demonstrations, a barbeque fundraiser, Christmas in July and much more. For more information, visit their website here.
The Lenoir Downtown Farmers’ Market in downtown Lenoir takes place each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Working to sustain a local food economy, the market features fresh produce, baked goods and other items all from local sources. The market also offers memberships to help expand its efforts. For more information on the markets, please visit their website here.
The Wilkesboro Open Air Market, located in Historic Downtown Wilkesboro, is a great place to find handcrafted goods and straight from the farm products. The event is on the third Friday of each month through August, and runs from 4-9 p.m. Featured at the market is themed live music, produce, demonstrations, childrens activities and much more. All activities at the market are free, as is admission to the event. For more information about this monthly event, click here.
The Caldwell Farmers’ Market, which is located next to Treasure Valley Community College, is open to patrons every Wednesday evening from 4-7:30 p.m. The Caldwell Farmers Market accepts Visa, Mastercard, and Discover debit or credit cards, and EBT Idaho Quest card. Any vendor can tell you how. Featured at the market is local produce, beer and wine, live music, jewelry, baked goods and so much more. For more information, click here.
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