Good morning, Raleigh. 🌷 Erin here, and I’m happy to have another mild spring day ahead of us. I’ve been dreaming of spring + summer garden pots (basil, tomatoes, blueberries), but I haven’t actually planted anything yet. Anyone else? 🙋‍♀️ Lucky for us, we live in a city with so much local produce — even in the time of COVID-19. Let me break it down.

Weaver Street Market

This locally-based co-op has brick-and-mortar locations in Raleigh, Carrboro, Chapel Hill + Hillsborough. Much of the store’s seasonal food comes from farms and vendors located within NC. Bonus: You can find elderberry jam + extract from local favorite Norm's Farms at this market. 🙌

How to buy:
○ Go to the website and click the Shop Online tab — this will show you how to get started shopping at each location and place an order for pick up.
○ The stores are also open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with social distancing recommendations observed.

What you can get:
○ You can pretty much do all your grocery shopping here. They have bread, vegetables, fruit, herbs, pastries, eggs, meat, kombucha, grits, spreads, nut milks, etc.
○ This is a food-centric market, so you won’t find a lot of craft items, like cutting boards or paintings — just those good ole nutrients we need to survive + maybe a few pretty things like locally-grown freesias + artisanal shopping baskets.

The Farmstand at Raleigh City Farm

Beginning April 22 — a.k.a. one week from today, a.k.a. Earth Day — the Raleigh City Farm will sell hyper-local produce each Wednesday through October, 4 to 7 p.m. ProTip: You can select three items for free if you’re a member of the farm’s Cultivator Club. 🌶️

How to buy:
○ Bring your credit card — cash will not be accepted until further notice.
○ Visit the farm stage located at 800 N. Blount Street + pick your produce (a farm volunteer will accompany you to handle and bag your selections).

What you can get:
○ First week crops include French breakfast radishes, red Russina kale, and arugula.
○ Future harvests will be announced on the farm’s website.

Need more options?

○ The Chapel Hill Farmers’ Market (201 S. Estes Drive) is open Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. + Tuesdays, 3 to 6 p.m. Look for fresh seasonal items including greens, tomatoes, beets, and asparagus, and jars of local honey. Note: Changes have been made to the market’s layout to accommodate social distancing. Shoppers are currently asked to wear mouth coverings or masks. 🍯

○ The State Farmers’ Market (1201 Agriculture Street, Raleigh) remains open seven days per week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to NC-grown fruits and veggies, there’s also a huge selection of plants, wines, baked goods, meats, and cheese produced on local farms. What’s in season? Beets, broccoli, asparagus, collards, herbs, mushrooms + other greens. 🥬

○ The Midtown Farmers’ Market (4321 Lassiter Mill Road at North Hills Commons) opens this Saturday, April 18th for the season and is held weekly on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Until further notice, the market is vending food products only (including produce and other things like eggs and bread). Bonus: the organization is hosting a weekly online market for artisan and craft vendors. 🥖