Mother’s Day is this weekend, and you still have time to show your mother how much you appreciate her with a trip to a local farmers market. State farmers markets are located in Asheville, Charlotte, Colfax, Raleigh and Lumberton, and you can find local farmers markets and roadside stands across North Carolina. We reached out to our five markets to find out their recommendations for this Mother’s Day weekend.
1. WNC Farmers Market
Last weekend, more than 33,000 people visited the WNC Farmers Market in Asheville and the forecast looks promising for another beautiful weekend. Market manager Doug Sutton recommends bringing your mother to the market to choose plants from the large selection of flowers, hanging baskets and bedding plants available. If you’re not in the mood to garden, you also can pick up a bouquet of cut flowers to take home.
2. Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
The greenery shed is overflowing at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market with more than 50 vendors selling locally grown bedding flowers, trees, shrubs and vegetable plants. You also can find a large selection of strawberries, asparagus and greens. If you’re looking for a unique gift for Mother’s Day, manager Frank Suddreth suggests visiting the craft barn. At least 25 vendors will set up Saturday, selling everything from hand-built furniture and birdhouses, to crocheted crafts and homemade aprons.
3. Piedmont Triad Farmers Market
If your mother enjoys culinary fundraisers, you will want to take her to the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for the Jim Crawford Memorial Chili Cook-off. The nationally judged competition includes chili tastings, live entertainment and games for children. All proceeds from the event benefit adult epilepsy medication programs. If your mother doesn’t like chili, manager Rick Cecil says she can enjoy other aspects of the market. Those include the locally grown produce such as strawberries and greenhouse tomatoes; the beautiful cut flowers, bedding flowers and plants; and a good meal at the Moose Cafe.
4. State Farmers Market
N.C. strawberries are still fresh and readily available. Pick up a pint and make your mother an award-winning recipe from yesterday’s Strawberry Day at the State Farmers Market. Monica Wood, marketing specialist for the farmers market, recommends bringing your mother to the market for a nice meal at the State Farmers Market Restaurant or N.C. Seafood Restaurant this weekend. You also can browse the selection of plants, trees and shrubs to plant in your mother’s backyard. Instead of giving her a dozen roses, Wood suggests buying a rose bush for your mother so she can enjoy the flowers for years to come.
5. Southeastern N.C. Farmers Market
Pick up fresh locally grown ingredients to prepare a nice home-cooked meal for your mother this weekend. You’ll find a selection of N.C. strawberries and other produce from market vendors. Consider making her a sweet treat using one of these recipes from our own Lisa Prince.
What other ways do you plan on spending Mother’s Day this year?