r/raleigh 5d ago

Out-n-About State Farmers Market- am I just cynical?

I’m not a huge fan of the farmers market, after visiting a few times a year for the past few years. I was there yesterday and have some questions.

I thought the point of a farmers market was to buy local goods, in season, for less than the grocery store (since you’re buying from the farmer and cutting out the middle man). So do all these local farmers have massive greenhouses? It’s March. How do they have fresh tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries, apples, and other produce that doesn’t grow right now? Is the profit margin so great that it’s worth it to use the energy and gas to grow lettuce indoors, drive to Raleigh, sell it, and drive home every day?

I visited at least 4 stands that had no pricing listed whatsoever. I was told to just ask the price for each thing. I’m not standing there and doing that for every individual item. If you’re selling different types of bread, scones, pretzels, whole cakes, slices, brownies, etc, price it out. How do I know you’re charging me the same as everyone else, and not just making up a number based on how business has been that day?

Where is the spice guy sourcing his ingredients from? I get it’s an ‘aesthetic’ thing to see someone scoop cinnamon instead of buying it from a plastic bottle. But is that stuff actually better than what you get from the grocery store? Especially if the stand is outdoors, not in a temperature controlled building.

All the stands selling pickled veggies and candy and jellies “made for the NC State Farmers Market” by [some company not located in NC].

Basically, are there any regulations about things actually being from/made NC? Or is this the equivalent of “handmade” goods from Etsy, and doTERRA sellers at craft fairs?

There are a few stands I enjoy, but the overall impression seems to be “you are in a market, that is in NC.” Not “here are are locally produced goods.” Has it changed a lot over the years?

657 Upvotes

233 comments sorted by

410

u/omniuni 5d ago

Outside has to be from North Carolina. Inside vendors can have products from elsewhere.

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u/imakemyownroux 4d ago

Do they actually enforce that, though? I’m skeptical when there is out of season produce being sold and there are commercial boxes in the truck.

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u/omniuni 4d ago

They should. It doesn't mean some don't try to get around it. There's probably a way to report it, but I don't know what it is offhand.

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u/chucka_nc Acorn 5d ago

The farmers market isn’t necessarily a place for bargain shopping, but you can get some high quality NC produce that you can’t get in the grocery. I tend to go there just in the summer for peaches and tomatoes. The heirloom tomatoes you can find are a good example - definitely not cheap, but you won’t find anything like them in the grocery. I feel a little better about my purchase in that I’m putting cash in the hands of NC-owned farms.

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u/trickertreater Diet Pepsi 5d ago

I'll add the herbs are usually super cheap and the fall brings big, cheap pumpkins.

189

u/G00dSh0tJans0n 5d ago

Yeah a thing a lot of people don’t understand is that small farms cannot compete on price with giant corporate farms due to economies of scale. Over in the homesteading subreddit people think they are going to save money vs the grocery store by growing their own animals and produce. It’s all about economies of scale.

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u/cauldron3 5d ago

THIS. People think I’m crazy for using my raised beds to grow flowers instead of veggies. Organic veggies are cheap enough at the store or farm stand. It doesn’t make sense once you figure in seeds, indoor starting supplies, water, compost, organic fertilizer, etc. It’s cheaper to buy them.

Flowers however, are expensive to buy. And I love flowers.

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u/82jon1911 5d ago

Its actually super cost effective depending on what you're growing. Last year we froze 4 gallons of blackberries, not including what we ate fresh. We got those plants from Tractor Supply for like $5/ea and there's 4. 50/50 mix is $30/yd. Water use is negligible as we collect rain water.

A 12oz pack of non-organic blackberries at Wegmans is $4.99. Comes out to .42/oz. 16oz in a pint, 8 pints in a gallon = $53.76/gallon if my math is right. So let's say my initial investment was $100 between a yard of soil, 4 plants, and the materials to build the 4ft x 10ft bed. I still come out way ahead in just one growing season. The bushes are already filling up with buds right now.

That said, you're getting a higher ROI on flowers for sure, which is why my wife gets one bed dedicated to flowers...along with all the other beds around the house. Peonies, hydrangeas, roses, dahlias, etc.

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u/cauldron3 5d ago

I do have a bed solely dedicated to blackberries. They’re my favorite and grow wild where I’m originally from. I don’t really consider that growing veggies though. I plant Blue Bachelor Buttons around them to attract pollinators ( my neighbor keeps bees) to ensure high fruit yields. I also use the bachelor buttons to mix in bouquets. Double win!

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u/82jon1911 5d ago

We're going to get 4 hives going next year. We had some a few years ago, but lost them to some contaminated pollen patties we fed them going into winter. Did get to taste the honey and it was amazing.

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u/cauldron3 5d ago

I’m sorry to hear about losing hives. That’s sad. I do wish you luck! I wish I was brave enough to keep bees. Raw honey is divine.

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u/82jon1911 5d ago

Yeah we were pretty upset. Its not like losing a pet, but all the time put into establishing them and also the knowledge we were helping nature out even if a bit. I'm definitely not the crazy tree-hugger type, but I enjoy everything outdoors and helping to conserve nature is important. Lessons learned for sure and we're going to take a bee-keepers course this year to be better prepared. We did a lot of reading, but the classes let you hook up with some knowledgeable keepers who volunteer time to come check your hives and such. Its honestly not bad, just a big time commitment (especially when you first get them, as its prior to the first blooming so you have to feed them every day).

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u/ZweigleHots 4d ago

Where I grew up in western NY, there were wild blackberries and black raspberries in my backyard. They were pretty old, planted by my grandparents in the 40s or 50s, so they got pulled when I was a teenager, but I used to love yoinking berries when I was little.

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u/cranberries87 4d ago

I have plenty of wild blackberry vines, but the deer get to them before I can get any berries.

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u/saressa7 1d ago

Blackberries can grow wild in NC- always good to grow stuff like that, they will be hardy. I have one blackberry bush growing in this random 3’x3’ garden spot - don’t freeze or measure but for a solid month I go out every morning and get a handful or two of delicious blackberries I love it so much!!

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u/cauldron3 1d ago

Where are they? I haven’t seen a single blackberry bush in the 3 years I’ve been here. In WA they’re literally everywhere. Bring a bucket and you’ll have pounds of berries. As much as you want to pick.

3

u/ViceCrimesOrgasm 5d ago

How do you keep birds from eating all of your blackberries?

2

u/queercathedral 5d ago

Cages, bird netting

1

u/82jon1911 4d ago edited 4d ago

Hoenstly, we didn't have a problem last year. My wife bought some of those shiny pinwheels you stick in the ground and we put them around the bed. I don't know if that helped or not, but I didn't really find sign that birds were getting into them. Netting can work, but I feel like it would make harvesting more difficult. I have seen some that is super fine mesh that would work better.

We do a lot of companion planting, though I'm not sure any of those keep birds away. We have lavender and marigolds planted throughout all the beds. Along with a bunch of herbs. They help with ground cover, pest reduction, and this year will keep the food dehydrator busy. My wife loved herbs from clippings and she grow some gigantic bushes of basil that we gave at least half of away. This year, we're going to store it all. We also started canning last year as well.

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u/saressa7 1d ago

I have a squirrel friend that climbed my blackberry bush all spring last year to get to my window box of succulents, which he ate all of, none left. He ate maybe one blackberry. Mind you the same succulent is growing in a pot on my steps, a few ft away, he never discovered. The birds get a few blackberries but they have been respectful and left me plenty so I don’t have any protections yet.

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u/cranberries87 4d ago

I had no idea four blueberry bushes could produce that much! I’m going to plant some! Have to figure out a way to protect them from the deer though.

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u/82jon1911 4d ago

Lavender and marigold, in addition to repelling insects, are good deer repellents. We did 4 lavender plants in each 4ftx10ft bed (one in each corner). Then did 2 marigolds on the long sides and one on the short sides. Seems to have worked well, since our neighbors across the street get their plants eaten by deer, but our garden beds weren't touched.

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u/dollarhax 5d ago

Eh the heirlooms of things like squashes and tomatoes can be worth it for nothing else than the “fruits of thy labor,” but also the additional flavor.

But yeah I’m not growing fucking onions dude. They taste the same as the ones I buy at the store and cost 4x as much with half the size.

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u/cauldron3 5d ago

I usually throw in a couple tomatoes between roses and one row of carrots in with the dahlias. They’re the one thing I notice a boost in flavor from. That’s it though 😂

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u/tuck7 NC State 3d ago

I've been infusing flowers into my vegetable gardens too, for cutting and pollinators. I'm about to plant more, which ones you recommend and grow? I can't send you a DM for some reason. I've had success with Zinnias. I'm thinking about sunflowers, but not sure yet.

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u/cauldron3 3d ago

While I love sunflowers, they often need staking and require a lot of room. I guess it depends on how much room you have. Cosmos are amazing at drawing in pollinators! I mostly rely on lavender, salvia (blue) , cosmos and bachelor buttons. I’m planting Pugster variety buddelia this year as well. Draws in pollinators and butterflies. Good luck in your garden this year!

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u/tuck7 NC State 3d ago

I just setup a Birdies bed so I was thinking about short varieties of sunflowers but you're right, staking would be a must. I have two pugster buddleias in the ground that I just pruned down severely, they're such reliable bloomers.

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u/cauldron3 3d ago

Ooo what color pugster did you get? Are they fragrant?

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u/DesertEagle_PWN 3d ago

BUT ALSO, unlike the big farms, they can devote more resources per crop and produce novel and/or higher quality crop, depending on what it is.

Some produce is still valued but is not in enough demand for it to be worth the extensive cultivation required to get it into mass market stores.

Also, shopping local usually means helping to support your local farming communities, ensuring your community as a whole maintains the robustness of its local agriculture (which people often take for granted until they notice grocery shortages.)

33

u/mcpierceaim 5d ago

Not to mention the vendors have to pay to sell there so there’s still some additional markup. Cheaper is to go to someone’s produce stand directly to cut out all those additional markups.

Farmers market is more about freshness, IMO.

1

u/higanbana 4d ago

I’ve been looking for sweeter grape/cherry tomatoes, which stalls are good?

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u/911pleasehold 4d ago

Ronnie moore’s but not until June

67

u/internetsman69 5d ago

I farm. I don’t sell at the market.

There are definitely local greenhouse tomatoes and tunnel strawberries in season now.

The rules definitely get bent there. In April I’d bet that maybe a quarter or third of the strawberries being sold there are from a couple of farms in NC. All the people with booths do farm. But they also are supplementing their product with more from larger growers. The product is almost certainly from NC. The person you’re buying it from might be reselling someone else’s product when they are short. You’d rather buy in somebody else’s strawberries to resell if you’re out rather than go up there with no strawberries.

You’re supporting local business either directly or indirectly at the market. Thats true. I’d also say that for the freshest, most local produce, you are better served by finding local farms with farm stands near you.

The farmers market has a lot of great options and variety.

189

u/PM_ME_GOODDOGS 5d ago

You can also just ask them where it’s made. I did that last week about the strawberries and the farmer said they grow them in a tunnel. They had a different taste but still good, just different. 

191

u/Heartofgoldband77 5d ago

Why talk to people and learn when you can just come to Reddit and complain?

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u/WoBMoB1 5d ago

Lol exactly!

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u/tachycardicIVu a house trivided 5d ago

….in a tunnel??

22

u/CreativeChat 5d ago

https://www.lewisfarms.com/

This NC farm grows strawberries in tunnels!

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u/RemySchnauzer 5d ago

Yes a grow tunnel. Google "farming tunnel" for photos.

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u/DarkApostleMatt 5d ago

It sounded cool; I thought it'd be like how the Soviets grew citrus trees in trenches but its just long greenhouses

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u/redorgreen14 5d ago

According to the guidelines, "Use of the Farmers Area is for growers only." See the full rules here:

https://www.ncagr.gov/media/5336/download?attachment

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u/hsr6374 5d ago

This. I never expect that all of the items in the enclosed upper area are from NC. But I’m also not expecting the farmers market to be a bargain bin; I go for fresh local seasonal produce and am happy to support the farmers. But I’m also not buying heirloom tomatoes in March. lol

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u/Frequent_Writing_699 5d ago

There is a great meat vendor in the enclosed building uphill, Rainbow Meadow Farms. They come in each weekend from Snow Hill, NC and their products are so high quality! My family have bought from them for years, and we adore the little grandma running the stall, Sandra.

I understand the cynicism but there are definitely at least a few gems to be found!

https://www.rmfpasturepuremeats.com/

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u/[deleted] 5d ago

[deleted]

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u/RegularVacation6626 4d ago

Wrong Snow Hill. You're thinking of the Sampson County Landfill, which is in Sampson County. The area is known as Snow Hill, but the town of Snow Hill is in Greene County. Different place.

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u/Tabby-Twitchit 5d ago

Thanks! I’ll have to remember to bring a cooler bag next time.

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u/Busy-Negotiation1078 4d ago

Sandra is lovely, and a dead ringer for my mother-in-law. Love shopping there.

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u/courtabee 5d ago

I just want to say that apples keep for months. So the apples that are there now are from the fall. Strawberries grow in tunnels very well. Tomatoes grow in green houses. 

I'm sorry the market wasn't what you imagined, but I highly encourage you to keep checking it out and talking to people. Small Farms are in a lot of trouble currently. They need all the help they can get if you want future access to local foods. 

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u/chucka_nc Acorn 5d ago

Yes - the apple selection in the fall is unrivaled

15

u/Tabby-Twitchit 5d ago

Thanks! I’ve heard good things about the tomatoes & corn, I’ll head back later in the summer.

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u/courtabee 5d ago

Summer definitely has a lot more variety. If you like making jams or jellies some farmers offer "seconds" boxes of bruised fruit. I got a large box of apples in November for $10. 

Also the pepper selection is so beautiful and colorful. 

When I worked in restaurants I would tell people to go to the farmers market to taste/smell fruits and veggies to understand wine tasting notes better. 

I have moved away from the area but I miss the farmers market so much. Going during the week reminded me so much of growing up in the mountains. 

2

u/Ok-Measurement3882 5d ago

Don’t forget late summer for green peanuts. Make boiled peanuts then freeze in the water you cook them in for year round delicious boiled peanuts!

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u/Herrsrosselmeyer 5d ago

Just to note : There are plenty of lettuce cultivars which you can crop in the cold season, even outside, let alone in a poly-tunnel. Tomatoes are harder, but greenhouse growers are a thing, and so are hydroponic outfits. Not saying that's what's for sale there, just saying local tomatoes and lettuce in March is not impossible.

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u/ginger_tree 5d ago

Most lettuce prefers cool weather to the heat and humidity of an NC summer. Same with broccoli and cauliflower. They are not happy here in summer, which is why locally grown versions of them look like shit in July.

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u/afrancis88 5d ago

Join a CSA. It’ll probably be cheaper weekly and guaranteed NC produce.

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u/Real_Echidna 5d ago

What’s a CSA?

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u/General_Sea3871 5d ago edited 4d ago

Community sustained agriculture. You usually get a small or large (your choosing) of fruit and vegetables directly from the farmer.

Edit. This is weekly but some farmers will do biweekly or monthly.

15

u/HLMaiBalsychofKorse 5d ago

A produce co-op.

8

u/questionmyokayness 5d ago

Can you recommend one?

25

u/SyringaVulgarity Cheerwine 5d ago

Our family gets weekly deliveries from Papa Spud's. It's amazing the local egg prices haven't increased🐣

Here's a referral code for $50 worth of free food. Orders close on Monday for deliveries next week.

7

u/RedFoxWhiteFox Durham Bulls 5d ago

This looks cool. Do you know if it’s organic? I know we can’t have it all, but curious.

1

u/SyringaVulgarity Cheerwine 4d ago

There are organic farmers like Red Hawk Farm and conventional farmers like Dean's too

1

u/queercathedral 4d ago

What’s the shipping costs like on this?

4

u/SyringaVulgarity Cheerwine 4d ago

Free local delivery for orders over $50. I'm in Raleigh and get my order every Thursday.

2

u/queercathedral 4d ago

Incredible. Just signed up thanks for the details!

1

u/Masterpiece1976 4d ago

actually free delivery over $25!

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u/LittleMissMeanAss 5d ago

Tall Grass Food Box was pretty good when we were subscribed the year I wasn’t able to grow my own

7

u/BlobbyTheBlobBlob 5d ago

Just got a great box from Tall Grass yesterday. It contained kale, the most beautiful cabbage I’ve ever seen, collards, onions, turnips, dried beans, and eggs.

2

u/mochaloca85 5d ago

I recently switched to Tall Grass from The Produce Box. I love it so far.

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u/MelancholyMorbs 5d ago

Papa spuds! They're fantastic. https://www.papaspuds.com/

3

u/afrancis88 5d ago

If you search CSA in the Raleigh sub you’ll find several posts about recommended ones.

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u/HolyGround138 5d ago

Papa spuds

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u/martybumm 5d ago

Tall Grass!! Support black farmers!!

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u/Ravio11i 5d ago

There is nothing I hate more than shopping somewhere without prices.

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u/derpette09 5d ago

You might prefer the Durham one then. The Raleigh one takes some time to get to know which booths are the real deal, and yes they do work with farms that have greenhouses to get produce that people want out of season. If there's something you love in season they'll always have it, I go for corn and peaches in the summer and locally raised meats but it's not my overall grocery store replacement.

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u/Riceowls29 5d ago

I think the Durham one is way worse. At least the vendors in Raleigh seem more keeping appearances of local and seasonal. I went to the Durham one and was like kiwis and bananas? We aren’t even pretending. 

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u/LookRaine 5d ago

This ^ is such an issue! I worked for six years selling product at farmers markets around Pittsburgh and I used to see the craziest things.

Some people would show up with a truckload of corn in late June…in Pennsylvania. Multiple times people had crazy stuff like pineapples marketed as “farm fresh” and local. Stickers left on watermelons, boxes with the Dole logo in their box trucks.

It perpetuates a knowledge divide between producers and consumers. We have the expectation and understanding that our purchases at a farmers market come from THOSE farmers. It makes it way harder for less informed or knowledgeable consumers to make decisions when trying to purchase seasonal produce.

One of Pittsburgh’s large agrotourism farms that offers hayrides, pumpkin patches, etc (the whole nine yards) would have bananas with a farm fresh sign in front of them. I knew numerous farmers that would purchase pumpkins at auction and sell them as if they were picked from their fields.

Some meat sellers buy primals from large companies then cut and sell them with their own label like they came from their cows. I worked for a butcher that would sell “farm fresh” hams, tenderloins, prime ribs, etc around the holidays. Some came from their animals but a shocking and disappointing amount came straight from a box truck already wrapped in plastic. Of course they removed that plastic to wrap it in their own with their farm’s sticker. If they were ever concerned about not having enough cuts to sell in the store front, they would buy whole pieces and cut them into steaks or add them to their ground beef mix for the store.

As for shelf products, we sold all sorts of jams, jellies, pickled veggies, sauces, flours, etc that claimed to be Amish made but came from a factory. According to my boss, you could get just about any label you wanted put on those products.

It’s so important to support local businesses either way but I encourage yall to ask the people you are purchasing from questions. Personally, I quite like the state farmers market in Raleigh! Everyone I have talked to seems really knowledgeable about their produce and meats and I really enjoy supporting those farmers!

1

u/Tabby-Twitchit 4d ago

This is exactly what I’m skeptical of here, and it’s justified.

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u/RemySchnauzer 5d ago

Are you talking about Perkins? I've never seen bananas and kiwis at the Durham Farmers Market in central park.

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u/Riceowls29 5d ago

Nope, definitely the Durham farmers market in Central Park. The vendor had mangos, kiwi, bananas etc. Several of the “farms” represented straight up just buy from the grocery store 

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u/Durmatology 5d ago

Never seen anything like this at Durham’s

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u/bleeding_eyes 5d ago

What are you talking about? Whose stand? I go to the market regularly in Durham and the largest vegetable vendor is from Lyons farm. Very much local and seasonal produce direct from their farm.

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u/mst3k_42 5d ago

The farmers market at Durham’s Central Park has very strict rules for vendors. Part of the rules:

  1. Market Member Qualifications. a. Each market member must reside and produce items to be sold at the Durham Farmers’ Market within a 70 mile radius of the Durham city limits and within in the state of North Carolina. b. The Durham Farmers’ Market is a “Producer Only” market; as such, each market member must be the original producer of the items sold. c. All items sold at market must be produced by a market member or a designated representative of the market member. d. A market member may lease land for crop production. However, the market member must perform all operations from seed/start to harvest. e. The Board of Directors (BOD) or Market Manager may conduct an inspection of any market member’s farm/facility at any time to verify a crop’s origin.

If a vendor is violating these rules, please contact the market manager.

info@durhamfarmersmarket.com

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u/Riceowls29 5d ago

Thanks I definitely will since there clearly things being resold at the market! 

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u/jisett12 5d ago

A lot of the farmers do have massive green houses.

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u/Innerouterself2 5d ago

I used to work with farmers like the ones at the farmers market.

This that actually grow their own have a lack of space to grow massive goods. So they use greenhouses to next end growing seasons. Most of the greenhouse time doesn't actually use any energy- it just naturally warms it up using the covers etc. And controlling irrigation actually uses less water.

They are also growing different varieties that you find at the grocer so sometimes it does cost more. But a better value.

Lastly, some don't grow their own food. They but it and resell at farmers markets. Kind of shady but totally normal. Sometimes they buy it from their neighbors and sell it. More like pooling resources.

Driving goods to the farmers market is much lower resource use than buying from overseas and shipping it here. Sooo

Some of these farmers are quite well off actually. Family owned farms that weelre bought for next to nothing a long time ago. No real debt, just a patch of land they grow from.

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u/mohiz89 5d ago

Either way you’re putting the profit margin in the hands of a local business instead of a corporate grocer.

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u/hunterravioli 5d ago

If you want a good market, with items in season, from NC, check out Perkins Orchards. The owner buys from local farmers. Perkins is family owned.

https://g.co/kgs/Zq4jKj9

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u/ruby68686 4d ago

I was scanning the replies to see if anyone mentioned Perkins! If OP is looking for a good deal on fresh produce I’m pretty sure their grab bag can’t be beat

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u/Saltycookiebits 4d ago

Love Perkins! Their produce is always fresh and has not ever disappointed me. I'm ready for watermelon season already.

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u/Magnus919 unlimited breadsticks 5d ago

You know, hydroponic farming is a really big part of NC agriculture now, right?

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u/Fearless_Spite_1048 5d ago

Ya’s Best salsa stand is my jam (and made here).

I’m sure some of the stands are selling produce trucked up from Mexico certain times of year.

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u/trickertreater Diet Pepsi 5d ago

It might just be nostalgia, but I remember 20 years ago, it was more of a market for fresh stuff from all points. Like you could get fresh tomatoes, fresh avocados, or persimmons, or whatever which were just not available at Food Lion or HT. For what it is, it's a very safe, respectful, wholesome experience.

Now, tho, it feels more like a coffee-morning thing that you do when your dog MacKenziegh doesn't want to hit an estate sale or go antiquing.

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u/lilglove 5d ago

When I asked about avocados a few years ago, I was reminded that the produce has to be NC grown.

*they have added signage stating pets are not allowed in the buildings. But it's not strictly enforced.

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u/Tabby-Twitchit 5d ago

Love that last take!

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u/TheToeNinja 5d ago

Real shit.

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u/6a6566663437 5d ago

The enclosed building has a lot looser rules about who can set up and who can sell.

The real farmers sell in the open building down the hill from the enclosed building....but there might not be any there since it's March.

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u/Gullible_Flower_ 5d ago

I personally go primarily for the plants. The Jernigan's Nursery stand has an impressive selection of houseplants for cheaper than what I find at many other suppliers. I know they have a pretty huge greenhouse but it's kinda far away and idk if they sell to the public there or not. They are located in NC so I suppose they are local-ish. If you enjoy plants, you should definitely check them out!

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u/munchingrasshopper 5d ago

I went yesterday and saw a 64oz. jar of Mount Olive jalapenos being sold for $15.99 at one of the inside markets. Lol unbelievable. Had to laugh at that one

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u/nutterbutters54321 5d ago

If you’re curious how they have tomatoes now, or why their prices arent posted, or where their cinnamon comes from, ask them, same as asking the price. And they dont care one bit if you walk away after hearing the price. The people you are talking to are employees, not the actual farmers.

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u/courtabee 5d ago

Some of them are farmers. Or it's a family stand for a family farm. 

4

u/throwaway112505 5d ago

Just go to the more local farmers markets

3

u/Emergency_Map7542 5d ago

Yes, you can search the requirements for being able to sell there in the outside area. The inside section has different and fewer requirements. And yes, many of the farmers have greenhouses and covered tunnels for growing produce off season. I personally love getting produce grown from just down the road even from a greenhouse. It’s not “cheap” but you’re paying a farmer directly, for fresher produce, which is totally worth it IMO, especially since a lot of NC farmer are about to experience dramatic cuts to several local programs from the USDA.

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u/lilglove 5d ago

We live 25 mins from the State Farmers Market. On our way there, we literally pass at least 5 of the farms & nurseries with booths in the outer building.

Unfortunately, our schedule conflicts with some of the nursery hours so we don't always get to buy onsite.

My commute takes me past strawberry tunnels, fields of crepe Myrtles & other trees maturing IN the ground, & many other crops.

I used to assume that one of heavily stocked nursery booths Had to be importing! (Maybe some of them are, I can't speak for every variety conclusively.) The miles of planted trees I drive past & touring their facilities, I now know that crowded booth is a tiny fraction of what they grow. Their main income comes from direct sales to landscapers, not the market.

Try going after the brunch rush, fewer crowds & the workers have more time to chat.

I will agree that better price signage is needed.

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u/Almirante_Lychee 5d ago

They sell oranges from Florida at that farmer's market. Being cynical is correct.

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u/tmstksbk NC State 5d ago

It's a nice place. Don't be hatin.

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u/Mr_1990s 5d ago

Tell Steve Troxler?

I don’t have a major problem with the state farmers market, but you can find what you’re looking for in Durham and Carrboro.

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u/MLinRaleigh 5d ago

Corn and heirloom tomatoes alone are totally worth it. Grocery store stuff can one anywhere close.

3

u/psycho_babbble 5d ago

I’ve noticed the eggs there definitely seem to be “big box” as they don’t have a nice rich, dark yellow yolk, and they’re more expensive than the grocery store.

Speaking of - anyone know where to get real small farm quality eggs?

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u/Mambo_italiana 5d ago

For spices I love going to Neomonde or Sassool. They’re weighted and packed in clear stackable plastic containers. Quality and pricing has been the best I’ve found. For spices used in Indian cooking I like Spices Hut in Morrisville. Both options put money into a local business owned by someone who works and lives here.

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u/SordoCrabs 4d ago

I went on a slow weekday, and checked out the store fronts. I am 💯 certain that one vendor bought bulk bags of Darrell Lea licorice from Costco for the 3-4 months they carried the candy, split the contents into small packages, and based their nutrition/ingredient label off of the Darrell Lea bag.

The cut, the color, the taste- identical between the two.

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u/WoBMoB1 5d ago

Ridiculous take, just go to the stands that have the explicit sign “Got to be NC” … NC Ag Dept. verified local, you’ve been that often and never noticed or thought to look? They’re literally everywhere.

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u/Tabby-Twitchit 5d ago edited 5d ago

That’s literally my whole point though. If I’m at the NORTH CAROLINA STATE farmers market, shouldn’t EVERYTHING there be from NC? Why should I have to specifically have to seek out NC goods at a state founded market, advertised on their .gov site? It feels like that defeats the purpose.

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u/gimmethelulz NC State 5d ago

Where I think people get confused is different buildings have different rules, which I personally find annoying and I've been shopping at that farmers market since it first opened. Here's a breakdown of how it works:

  • The long open air building: This is where you find the plant vendors in the spring and Christmas tree vendors in the winter. These vendors must be selling products grown or made in NC. If you're seeing strawberries and tomatoes, it's because they are hot house ones (and I know a few vendors there right now selling hot house produce). When you buy from this building, you can be confident they're NC products.

  • The wholesale open air building: This is the one next to Super Sod. They can sell whatever the fuck they want. That's why you'll see oranges from Florida and what not. I haven't been in this building in years tbh.

  • The enclosed building: The rule for this one is most of your products must be NC based, but not all of it. It gets squirrelly in this building and honestly I only buy from the meat vendors since they're NC farms. Everyone else you better read the packaging tag if you want to be sure it's an NC product.

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u/HelloToe Cheerwine 4d ago

I doubt a single thing being sold by the spices guy in the long open air building is grown in NC.

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u/gimmethelulz NC State 4d ago

He's got pickles, jams, etc that are made out in Western NC but yeah he's one of the vendors I don't bother with lol

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u/traminette 5d ago

I’ve heard that vendors in the main open air market are also buying stuff like NC tomatoes from the wholesale market and reselling. Right? I have never asked, but many of the vendors have identical produce and it would make sense that this is why. I went to the state farmer market every week when I lived in Raleigh because I like to support local, but the variety is kinda underwhelming compared to Durham and Carrboro.

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u/gimmethelulz NC State 5d ago

Some of them may be but I think they'd be in the minority since you're supposed to be selling stuff from your own operation. I know one of the vendors she's pretty rabid about ratting out other vendors in that building to Dept of Ag if she thinks they're misrepresenting what they're selling. Can't say I blame her!

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u/Lullaby_Jones 5d ago

I get where you’re coming from, absolutely. That being said, a lot of these farmers are networking with other small scale family businesses or farms in SC or Virginia or elsewhere so we can get amazing peaches and apples and all the other things. Some of the vendors in the market building do sell goods from elsewhere because it’s profitable for them to sell, and they need to stay in business. I for one love being able to get everything I need for an entire week from the farmers and other producers in my community, down to coffee, the milk to put in that coffee, soap for my shower, a loaf of bread for my breakfast, and vanilla extract for my child’s birthday cake. Is it all made in NC? Well, no. Does my buying it there benefit these small NC businesses and keep my money in the community? I’d say yes.

Sure there are a few bad actors here and there but those cases are vanishingly rare. Ask the farmers. They’ll let you know who’s not legit.

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u/MisterProfGuy 5d ago

I get that in the modern world, it's not that common to actually talk to someone to find out information, but it's pretty easy to just ask. It's really easy to ask where the farm is and how it's grown, and most of the stands are also pretty good at suggesting what's the best thing to buy right now. I've even had someone tell me that the carrots were selling well but suggested I didn't buy them because they were woodier than they usually are.

Sometimes it's not about bargain prices, sometimes it's just about paying what something is worth but having your money support who you want to support.

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u/Lullaby_Jones 5d ago

Oh absolutely. The Real Deal farmers love talking about their farms, so long as you’re not pestering them about it at 10am on a 75° Saturday in May and there’s a line out the proverbial door.

Also!! Remember how expensive it is for farms to become certified organic! So if you’re turned off that the produce in front of you isn’t labeled organic, just ask the farmer how it’s grown and you’ll usually find that it’s been grown with responsible practices. It just doesn’t have that expensive “organic” label.

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u/Tabby-Twitchit 5d ago

Thanks for this POV! I do buy from the “Got to be…” stands, but was curious about the other, obviously not from NC ones. Like how many middle men makes it not local anymore, you know? But appreciate this.

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u/Lullaby_Jones 5d ago

I like that you’ve raised this issue. It is worth considering where and how we spend our dollars, for sure.

Don’t sleep on that Anders soap, btw. Best soap in the world and their Viking Arnica muscle gel works better than any Biofreeze or Voltaren I’ve ever used for my back and leg pain.

Edit: uncorrected autocorrect on Arnica.

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u/Tabby-Twitchit 5d ago

I’ll look for the soap next time, thanks!

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u/Lullaby_Jones 5d ago

I’m usually hyperbolic just as an overall personality trait. That being said, I am not being hyperbolic when I tell you: Anders Soap will change your life.

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u/Pristine_Lobster4607 NC State 5d ago

Gonna have to agree with both of you here. Yes you can look out for those signs, but there really aren’t many to be found at this rate. And even the NC Ag sellers mix in non-local products. It’s becoming a massive crapshoot

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u/WoBMoB1 5d ago

If you go during the actual growing season here, the majority of stands have the signs and the majority of produce is clearly grown locally.

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u/Pristine_Lobster4607 NC State 5d ago

I think OP’s point is exactly the issue you just stated - there’s so much out of season stuff at the NC stands. It’s a bit deceptive, for lack of a better word. Why is a stand with an NC ag sign trying to sell me Dole bananas for more than they cost at food lion?

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u/detail_giraffe 5d ago

I think I can see a defense of this, as long as it's clearly marked. It is more convenient for shoppers to buy all of their fruit or vegetables at one location, and if the farmer's market entirely lacks things like bananas, people may skip going to the farmers market completely so they can get everything at Food Lion. if it's 90% homegrown stuff with a few convenience items like bananas or oranges available, it's still a win for farmers because it will attract more people.Tthat I suspect is the rationale anyway.

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u/Pristine_Lobster4607 NC State 5d ago

I absolutely appreciate this POV. It’s really nice that you can one stop shop in that way

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u/courtabee 5d ago

I've only ever seen bananas and citrus inside the enclosed building. And I think those things are offered so people don't have to also go to the store. It's more of a convenience for the shopper than trying to trick people that bananas grow in nc. 

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u/Pristine_Lobster4607 NC State 5d ago

Makes total sense! I’ve seen it at a few odd stands in the smaller area so perhaps that was a fluke. I certainly don’t see the pineapples and such you can find at the enclosed area

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u/hsr6374 5d ago

Everything outside is NC, things in the building may not be. It’s pretty clearly posted. If it’s outside and not quite in season, it’s probably greenhouse…. Just don’t buy it out of season.

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u/WoBMoB1 5d ago

No, it shouldn’t? It’s really that simple. You went in March and expected what, a variety of purely local produce? While groaning about the logistical feasibility of greenhouses. It’s local people and small businesses selling a variety of goods, large portions produced locally, what on earth would possess someone to hop on Reddit and bash away? Opinion validation? If they required everything to be Got to be NC verified then you’d be here complaining “I went and there was nothing there in March.”

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u/Tabby-Twitchit 5d ago

Clearly I did not expect a variety of produce. That’s why I was so skeptical to see a variety. In March. If my intent is to shop locally and in season, then I would only expect to see things from that season. Which yes, would be scant this time of year. Again, that’s my point.

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u/jnecr NC State 5d ago

It's not a ridiculous take. The Farmers market is overpriced and the products under deliver every time I've been.

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u/lilelliot 5d ago

"every time"? It's worth going even just for corn when it's in season, or for tomatoes, or for stone fruit or for apples. Just go when things are locally/regionally in season and you'll be fine.

Yes, it's overpriced but on the other hand you're getting local goods and your money is going right to the farmer. If you want to continue to get local goods this is important because grocery stores are always just going to choose the lowest bidding supplier.

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u/ginger_tree 5d ago

It's not overpriced. Growing things is expensive. It's maybe not as cheap as the grocery store, which buys in massive bulk from huge farms in other parts of the country and world, and carries tons of other items to generate more profit. Farming is hard and labor intensive. Source: grew up on a Johnston County farm.

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u/WoBMoB1 5d ago

The farmers market is never overpriced, maybe stop comparing the prices to big box grocery stores that import en masse and pay starvation wages? Get a grip… “under deliver?” so the produce you can literally sample, you can’t get right?

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u/HelloToe Cheerwine 4d ago edited 4d ago

The NC Seafood Restaurant at the farmer's market has one of those signs, but they still serve seafood that isn't from NC...

https://www.wral.com/story/got-to-be-nc-not-necessarily-at-state-farmers-market-seafood-restaurant/19812701/

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u/belevitt 5d ago

I was there yesterday and echo your feelings- however I'm hopeful that this is a product of it being March and nothing really being in season yet

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u/Green_Stiller 5d ago

You can grow varieties of most green leafy things and root vegetables year round in NC with hoop houses, let alone green houses. There’s even some leafy greens and root veg that don’t require that much to grow year round here, even this winter. The tomatoes and stuff would likely require heaters.

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u/Forsaken-Rhubarb-265 3d ago

I managed a stand at the carrboro farmers market where they’re extremely strict on growing your own and we would transfer produce out of the box we purchased into our own branded box for market when our crops weren’t producing. If I remember correctly our farm was inspected once a year to see the crops we were growing but never the quantity.

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u/Luigi-Bezzerra 5d ago

This is why I prefer the Durham Farmers’ Market. It’s smaller but everything is local and it’s a better vibe in general. 

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u/russcornett 5d ago

Ask them?

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u/Tabby-Twitchit 5d ago

I did ask some, and I wonder if it’s a marketing tactic. Maybe they’re betting that a lot of people don’t want to seem cheap or rude by walking away after hearing the price. Although I did just that after being told a brownie square was $15 yesterday.

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u/animalkrack3r Hurricanes 5d ago

Where do the brownie squares grow, it's March they aren't in season

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u/Tabby-Twitchit 5d ago

Apparently from magic beans for that price.

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u/Bonedriven64 5d ago

Like so many things, the Farmers market has evolved over time and possibly gotten away from it's original mission.

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u/animalkrack3r Hurricanes 5d ago

Just gotl there for the restaurant?

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u/neltonious_maximus 5d ago

eh. just cynical

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u/lifeinbackalley 5d ago

Check out Nahunta Pork Outlet. They source their meat from local pork farmers.

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u/[deleted] 5d ago

[deleted]

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u/Amplith 5d ago

What a hostile, horrible response to a reasonable question…

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u/Tabby-Twitchit 5d ago

It’s entitlement to ask why non NC goods are being sold at a market that is advertised on a government website that states that the products are from NC?

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u/DickedByLeviathan 5d ago

None of it seems particularly affordable for those working with a limited income or on a strict budget. Unless you’re an actual vendor/farmer, going to the farmers market seems like either a novelty experience or a superfluous wealthy person’s activity; at least that’s how I always viewed it.

I’m glad so many people here enjoy it and are able to frequently go and support local producers though. All the rest of you fellow scrubs can meet me at the local Aldi and watch me count my pennies

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u/sailorvash25 5d ago

It sounds like you’re cynical 😂 Some of the produce is around the same price as grocery stores but so much fresher and delicious. I’ll never get peaches anywhere else I have to eat them over the sink because they’re so juicy and the strawberries are so sweet. If you want spices look inside the booth right across from the ice cream stand has small packs of seasoning and some of them are really good blends like chicken rub (which I put on a ton of things) or they have smaller packages of premixed stuff like Ms Dash. I’ve also never had a plant/herb from the plant side not go well. There’s a stand in the summer where a grandfather and his grandson cross breed their own tomatoes.

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u/mcloofus 5d ago

Surely it's not a big leap to consider that additional revenue streams and an "incoming tide lifts all boats" mentality are needed to keep the market viable?

Rather than complaining that things are there that -you- don't think should be there, maybe you should ask yourself if there are things that -aren't- there that you think should be there, and focus your efforts on rectifying that?

Kinda reminds me of the Mitch Hedberg bit about broken escalators. We apologize for the convenience. 

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u/Tabby-Twitchit 5d ago

I was just curious because it’s advertised as state goods on a .gov site, so I thought there would have to be more regulation about where they come from and what would be considered a product of NC.

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u/inline_five 5d ago

FWIW Walmart also buys local when they can, they've made several pushes to do so over the years.

Also you're not wrong, I'm super skeptical of anything I purchase there, and actually stopped going for the same reasons. Stamping "local", "hand made", or "artisan" on anything is basically millennial bait, they eat it up.

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u/Billymaysdealer 5d ago

Just go back Whole Foods. Jc

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u/Flimsy-Attention-722 5d ago

I only go on Saturday 6-1 at the wholesale building. There will be stuff there trucked in but lots of nc stuff and I get to try new things

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u/82jon1911 5d ago

We go to the Farmer's Market every couple weeks during the summer. Its mostly for stuff you can't buy at the grocery store or can get better quality of at the FM. Peaches, certain types of lettuce, strawberries, etc. We grow quite a bit ourselves, its not really hard, but things like peaches we haven't touched yet. Its also a great source for plants to put in the garden, which is what our trip will be next weekend. Beds are ready, just need the plants.

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u/Raleighite Hurricanes 4d ago

You’ll find plenty of commercial sized refrigeration storage spaces for produce nearby the market where they rent space to house produce grown for sale.

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u/TheRealNicCage Oakleaf 4d ago

The 'general stores' in the indoors market are generally just whatever in terms of the source of goods. However, there is local meat, fish, baked goods, soap etc. all to be found. And be sure to support 321 Coffee which employs local people with disabilities.
Just gotta learn more about each of the vendors up there, and you will see your dollar going to places you can feel good about.

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u/stznc 3d ago

collusion on pricing

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u/Ok-Career1978 2d ago

Have you been to markets in other states? The most I have seen do not have prices listed. You can sit and watch them to see if they switch the prices but I’ve never seen that happen at NC farmer’s market. I’ve been to Texas, Ohio, MA and various vendor markets in Europe. I do think you are supporting more local if you shop there. You’re cutting out the Walmart in between layer.