Local farmers markets are a major component of local food systems. Here is information about ours:
Piedmont Farmers Market Inc. is a 501(c)-3 nonprofit corporation that holds five seasonal markets at four locations in Cabarrus County each week. It is run by a board of directors elected by farmers market members.
The Monday market in Harrisburg is at 6960 Robinson Church Road. It will operate from 4 to 7 p.m. starting May 19.
The Tuesday market will start June 3, operating from 8 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road, Kannapolis. The Tuesday market has built up over the past few years, but it still offers an excellent opportunity to shop with fewer crowds than at the Saturday market. The fruit and vegetables get ripe regardless of the day of the week.
I don't see a lot of people doing it, but it makes sense to me to start grocery shopping at the farmers market and then hit the Food Lion across the street for the rest of your groceries.
The Wednesday market has moved. Wachovia owns the old site. They are moving into their new location this summer, and the Cabarrus Avenue site may be sold.
We appreciate what Wachovia did for us the three years we were at that location. They not only provided the space at no cost, but they quickly responded to various problems that came up regarding the site.
They also recognized that farmers markets need to plan ahead at least a year. So even though the old site may not go on the market until late summer, they gave us a heads-up before the market season.
We worked with the city of Concord and Concord Downtown Development Corp. to develop a new location at 24 Market St., in front of the police department. This market should be in the same vicinity for the next five years, although that is subject to change.
The Wednesday market will open June 4 and run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The city parking deck will be available for parking and is probably a good choice. There also will be some parking along Market Street. If you have avoided the Concord market in years past due to parking considerations, give us another try this summer.
The Thursday market is a new one that has created a lot of buzz. The Piedmont Farmers Market has teamed with Castle & Cooke, developer of the North Carolina Research Campus, and N.C. State University to develop this market. It will be on West Avenue between Transit Damaged Furniture and The Perfect Choice, running from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays starting May 22.
The Saturday market has already opened at 518 Winecoff School Road. It runs from 8 a.m. to noon. A tip for Saturday is to check out the parking on the back side of the building from the entrance. The lot on the front side fills up at times, but the back side has always had space during normal market events.
The handicap-accessible spaces also are located on the back side. The easiest way to get into the market is from the marked handicap spaces by the bathrooms.
If the back side does happen to be full, it is now possible to loop around the building and get back to the lower parking lot.
The market has hired a full-time manager. Leigh Coulter took over these duties May 1. Leigh will manage all five markets.
Another change is going to be an effort to stay open later in the year, particularly at the Saturday market. When eating locally, it makes sense to buy beef in the fall. The cows have been eating grass all summer, which is relatively cheaper than the hay they would have to eat all winter. There is interest from at least one local grass-fed beef producer to start selling this fall.
Some other crops also really don't get to their prime before our market has closed in the past. Fall carrots, turnips, shiitake mushrooms and sweet potatoes come to mind. Finally, craft purchases pick up closer to Christmas, and staying open another month or two would definitely help those vendors.
There has been more interest in selling at the market this year than I have ever seen. Potential vendors must fill out a membership application, which is reviewed by a membership committee appointed by the board of directors. Applications are available at the Extension office.
It takes a least a week for the review to be completed. The only problem that has kept applicants out has been products that don't meet the regulations of allowed items.
Allowed items include fruits and vegetables; home-prepared jellies; home-baked goods; cured meats; handmade crafts that require the skillful use of the hands to create; flowers; plants; relishes; pickles; honey; and other farm-produced items home grown in North Carolina, except live animals.
The prohibition on live animals includes pets (free or for sale).
Eggs, dairy products and meat products, including fish, are allowed if they are refrigerated to at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit; they are subject to all N.C. Department of Agriculture regulations.
There is a $75 annual membership fee for vendors. In addition, weekday markets cost $5 daily space fee, for the days you are on the market. The Saturday space fee is $10 each Saturday.
If you need more information, feel free to contact me.
The farmers market is one way of supporting local agriculture, and local agriculture is important. If you like depending on foreign countries for oil, you will love depending on foreign countries for food.
David
Goforth
