Miss that old fashioned country store? Visit the Farmer's Market.

Sat, 01 Apr 2006 19:55:00 GMT

Have you been to the NC Farmer’s Market lately? The State Farmer’s Market is on Lake Wheeler Road in Raleigh and is a cornucopia of delights. No matter what the weather, or the season, there is always home-made or home-grown food, flowers, plants and crafts. And something you cannot get many other places; hard-working folks that have an up-close and personal relationship with the products they sell.
There are not many places left in this world where you can make eye-contact with a human-being and his/her fruits of labor at the same time. Sure, in the work-place we get to pat ourselves on the back for our contribution in the corporate chain, but the folks you see at the Farmer’s Market are head of their R & D departments, their own labor force and they are their marketing Vice President, all rolled into one. They are a unique group of individuals that supply the goods and services you will need to keep a fire going, plant a vegetable or flower garden, serve home-made desserts, jellies, cakes and pies, to your family and guests or they provide you with fresh produce in which you can then cook or can your own.

The Farmer’s Market is all we have left of what was once a mainstay of North Carolina; the country store. When I grew up in the country we did not get to “town” much so we depended on the local gas station/store to stock hoop cheese, neighbor’s honey, ham, and boiled peanuts. In the spring there were bedding plants for the vegetable garden, home-made birdhouses and most of all there were people to converse with about growing the crops and canning the spiced apples. The country store is where our family smiled, said hello, and listened to the wisdom and charm of those around us.

The feeling of a hometown country store is one of the things that make the Farmers Market a great experience. Most of the vendors proudly display their hometown name right along-side the name of their business. The Wise Produce Co. hails from Mt. Olive. The Robert’s produce booth established their business in 1926. They are from McGee’s Crossroads. Other small towns represented include Warrenton, Louisburg, Smithfield, and Cleveland.

The thing to do is pack up the family (especially if they are your mother-in-law visiting from out-of-town) and eat lunch at one of the picnic tables at the “grab and go” N.C. Seafood Restaurant or at the State Farmer’s Market Restaurant for a “waited on” dining experience. You might try Steve’s pinto beans, fried chicken, fried okra and home-made banana pudding. After lunch, put your little ones in the stroller while you and your in-laws laugh and talk with proud American farmers, crafters, gardeners, cooks, and storytellers of our state.

Secrets for successful shopping at the Farmer’s Market
1. Take the opportunity to multi-task by socializing, shopping, and enjoying the fresh air, all-at-once. Most of the vegetable and fruit stands are part of the 30,000 square foot open-air farmer’s buildings. There is also a 15,600 square foot climate controlled building.
2. Take the kids and and any out-of-towners. Even folks from North of the Mason-Dixon line enjoy the fresh-air, good eats, and fun folks at the Farmers Market. It gives us a chance to hear how it was when and where they grew up or even how they “do it in NYC”.
3. Visit Nancy Jo’s homemade pies and cakes, they are about the best I have tasted. The 10-layer chocolate cake is just as moist and good as my friends Grandmother, Clyde made, yes her name was Clyde.
4. Check out the Farmer’s Market seasonal stock of plants for the garden. The forsythia and jasmine are bright yellow right now and fresh cut flowers are on the way. When fruits and vegetables are out-of-season you can find a selection of greenhouse fruits and vegetables (i.e. tomatoes) or imports from Florida (like the strawberries you will find now). The vendors always know where their produce is grown. Asking questions is always a good way to strike up a conversation.
5. Buy in bulk; volume buyers can take advantage of the Truckers (building 4) or the Wholesaler Terminal around back. The general public is welcome as long as they are buying in bulk.
The Farmer’s Market is open Monday through Saturday, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 12 noon until 6 p.m. Hours are often extended during the summer. For more information including a list of upcoming events check out their website at http://www.agr.state.nc.us/markets/facilit/farmark/raleigh/

Travel

Miss that old fashioned country store? Visit the Farmer's Market.