It’s Labor Day weekend, and your regional farmers markets in Asheville, Charlotte, Colfax and Raleigh are open and full of fresh produce, meats and cheeses, baked goods and other specialty products. Read on to see market hours and what’s available this weekend:
WNC Farmers Market, Asheville – The WNC Farmers Market is open on a normal schedule, including Labor Day. Local apples are picking up in volume with more varieties to pick from. Muscadines and Scuppernongs are now available, along with concord and table grapes. Local vine-ripened tomatoes, corn, peaches, cabbage, many varieties of peppers, eggplant, summer and fall squash, pears, cucumbers, watermelons and cantaloupes are still in plentiful supply. Pumpkins have just started arriving this week, with more expected in the weeks to come. The Retail Shoppes have all the fresh fruits and vegetables available by the pound, as well as local honey, jams, jellies, herbs, local cheeses, salsa, handcrafted gifts, wines and so much more. The Garden Center has all the fall planting products available. The Ice Cream/Deli is serving homemade ice cream in many flavors and the Moose Café will be busy during the holiday weekend serving up delicious meals.
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, Charlotte – The Charlotte market has changed over to its winter operating schedule, and will be open Tuesdays-Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can still stop by Saturday for fresh mountain apples, grapes, peaches, plums, watermelon, beans, carrots, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, peas, garlic peppers, leafy greens, onions, squash, sweet potatoes and tomatoes. You’ll also find fresh herbs, cut flowers, local honey, meats, eggs, fresh seafood, baked goods, culinary delights and handcrafted art.
Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers Market, Colfax – The Triad market is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, except Christmas. So, yes they are open for Labor Day! Market vendors have plenty of N.C. apples, with new varieties being added each week. You will find a full line of produce at the market including tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, string beans, peas, new crop sweet potatoes, pumpkins, watermelons, cantaloupes, eggplants, peaches, cabbage, corn, sweet and hot peppers, new potatoes, blackberries, pears, herbs and more. There’s also award-winning goat milk cheeses, baked goods, N.C. wine, candies, sauces, fresh salsa and local pimento cheese. You can find chicken, beef, pork, lamb and fresh seafood from the coast. And, if you are ready to start some fall planting, you’ll find more trees, shrubbery and bedding plants.
UPCOMING EVENT: On 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 open regular hours all weekend and Labor Day. Stop by and pick up fresh produce, like new crop sweet potatoes, muscadine grapes, a great selection of apples, peanuts, and of course all of the summer harvest that is still coming in. Blueberries are almost done for the season, but you can still find a few vendors offering this great summer treat. The market also has an abundant supply of herbs, perennials, trees, shrubbery and mums.
UPCOMING EVENT: On Friday, Sept. 18, the market will be celebrating Grape Day. Stop by for samples of locally grown grapes, wines and other grape products.