If your travel plans this week consisted of moving from the couch to the pantry and back to the couch, try switching it up this weekend with a trip to the farmers market for fresh produce, meat, baked goods and more.
A long list of perks, including fewer people touching your produce, necessities like eggs and milk in stock, and the open-air environment, make farmers markets a great place to visit right now.
Several local markets are also adapting to rules of social distancing by offering new ordering and pick-up services. Hours and vendors may change, so it’s a good idea to visit the farmers markets’ social media pages before venturing out.
Holly Springs Farmers Market
In this last weekend of their winter market, April 4, the Holly Springs Farmers Market is offering alternate purchasing options through their website. Customers can buy what they need from the market without having to physically go. Some of the vendors participating in this no-contact customer service include La Farm Bakery, the Apex Seafood Market and Chickadee Farms.
“[Vendors] really pivoted very quickly to meet this need,” said Jessica Stygles, who manages the market.
If people would like to venture out, they can be assured that measures have been taken to separate vendors by as much as 30 feet. The market is open the first and third Saturdays of the month from 9:30 a.m. to noon on W. Ballentine Street, outside the Cultural Center in Holly Springs.
“We did a variety of reminders on the vendors’ tables, asking people not to touch anything, to just point and indicate what they would like, and then the vendors would take care of bagging that purchase up for them,” Stygles said, talking about health precautions taken at the March 21 market.
Items regularly made onsite, including kettle corn and more, are being bagged beforehand in a more sanitary environment for the safety of customers.
Cary Downtown Farmers Market
On Saturday, April 4, the Cary Downtown Farmers Market will have its food vendors out from 9 a.m. to noon in front of the Historic Ivey-Ellington House. Customers can stock up on staples like meat from Parker Farm and Vineyard or Queen B Farms. Five Star Coffee Roasters will have enough java to get you through long days working from home.
The market recommends pre-ordering before picking up at the market and practicing social distancing while you are there.
State Farmers Market
For fresh vegetables, plants, honey, cheese and more from around the state, the State Farmers Market in Raleigh is open every day with its regular hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Many vendors are in their regular locations throughout the space, but some, including The Market Bakery and Jones Food and Produce are offering boxes with a variety of fruits and veggies for customers to pick up curbside or even have delivered to their home.
Western Wake Farmers Market
The full Western Wake Farmers Market, typically held each Saturday morning on Town Hall Drive in Morrisville, may be closed, but opportunities to shop from its vendors are still available.
In collaboration with the market, Muddy Dog Roasting Company has been hosting Saturday morning pop-up shops in its parking lot at 3000-110 Bear Cat Way in Morrisville. From 8 a.m. until noon Saturday, April 4, vendors like Michael’s Muffins, Locals Seafood and The Hillsborough Cheese Company will be offering goodies to take home. Check the Western Wake Farmers Market’s Facebook page for announcements of more Saturday markets.
