Did you know that up to a third of all the food we eat can be attributed to the work of pollinators? This weekend, the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market will celebrate one of those pollinators, the honey bee. If you’re in Asheville, Colfax or Raleigh, you can still celebrate by visiting a local farmers market and enjoying fresh fruits and vegetables made possible by hardworking pollinators. Seasons vary slightly by market, so read on to see what’s buzzing this weekend at your local market:
WNC Farmers Market, Asheville – The volume of locally grown apples are increasing with some varieties like Wolf River, Ginger Golds and few Gala showing up. We still have a plentiful supply of peaches with several varieties including Monroe, Alberta, O’Henry, and Autumn Prince, among others coming in. The peppers are brilliant in color and varieties. You’ll also find a large selection of tomatoes including the heirloom varieties. The local farmers are bringing yellow, white and bi-color corn. Fresh yellow squash, zucchini and a few fall squash varieties are now available. The market continues to have a fairly good supply of watermelon and cantaloupes with a few grapes, pears, plums and okra. The Retail Shoppes are full of farm-fresh produce, jams, jellies, local honey, handcrafted gifts, local cheese, wine, seafood and so much more. The Garden Center continues to carry nursery plants for fall planting. The Ice Cream/Deli is at hit with homemade ice cream and Moose Café serves a great breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, Charlotte – The Charlotte market still has a good selection of blackberries, blueberries, apples, peaches, plums, watermelon, beans, cabbage, carrots, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, peas, garlic, peppers, leafy greens, onions, squash, sweet potatoes and tomatoes. You’ll also find honey, various meat products, seafood, baked goods and handcrafted items.
SPECIAL EVENT: National Honey Bee Day is this Saturday, Aug. 15. The market will have members of the Mecklenburg County Beekeepers Association on site with an observation hive and other beekeeping tools. There will be an educational honey-bee-themed scavenger hunt for anyone who would like to participate between 8 a.m. and noon.
Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers Market, Colfax – The Colfax market is still seeing N.C. strawberries, heirloom tomatoes, red canning tomatoes in quantity, grape tomatoes, freestone peaches, new potatoes, corn, onions, colorful peppers of all kinds, grapes, organic blueberries, watermelons, cantaloupes, string beans, lettuce, kale, eggplant, herbs, purple hull peas, October peas, squash and blackberries. Vendors also have a great selection of cut flowers, N.C. wines, goat-milk soap, lotions, goat-milk cheese, chicken, beef, fresh eggs, baked goods, bedding plants, shrubberies and trees.
UPCOMING EVENT: Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 12. The market will host the Taste Carolina Wine Festival. The annual event features tastings from more than a dozen local wineries, as well as live music and other entertainment.
State Farmers Market, Raleigh – The State Farmers Market is seeing more muscadine grapes coming in, along with more varieties of apples. There’s also a large variety of summer fruits and vegetables still available, including corn, tomatoes, peaches, watermelons and cantaloupes. Locals Seafood is bringing in fresh seafood weekly from the N.C. coast. On the weekends, the craft shed features a variety of handmade crafts, including stonework, woodworking (homemade cornhole boards, outdoor furniture, chainsaw carvings, etc.). In addition, Market Imports is having their annual sale this weekend with a 20-percent off store-wide sale
SPECIAL EVENT: WPTF 680’s “Weekend Gardener Show” will broadcast live from the market August 15, from 8 to 11 a.m. Next Saturday, Aug. 22, is Honeybee Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.