By Kay Whatley, Editor
Eastern North Carolina is dotted with farmer’s markets, locations where customers may purchase locally-grown product, homemade goods, and handmade crafts. It gives farmers a place to meet customers and offer the fruits of their labors for sale.
Spring has sprung, and farmer’s markets across the state are preparing for their opening days. Opening days include:
- April 7, 2018 — Clayton, Rocky Mount, and Wake Forest NC
- April 21, 2018 — Wilson NC and Zebulon NC
- April 28, 2018 — Garner NC
Markets withing the counties of Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson, Franklin, Johnston, Pitt, and part of Wake — are listed below.
Note that some of these markets may still be accepting vendors. Links and contact information are included below.
Clayton NC (Johnson County)
The Clayton Farm and Community Market will offer vendors, children’s activities, a puppet show, photo booth, and more for Opening Day on April 7, 2018, 9am-1pm. Meet this year’s vendors, watch a puppet show organized by the Clayton Library, and enter to win prizes.
This market will be open 9am-1pm on Saturdays. The Market location is 348 E Main Street, Clayton NC.
Follow the Clayton Farm and Community Market on Facebook here.
Farmville NC (Pitt County)
The Agri-Cultural Market, organized by the Farmville Community Arts Council, offers a variety of local produce, crafts, beer, and music, with food trucks too. Come out and support local musicians and local producers. Dates scheduled are Tuesday, April 17, 2018 and Tuesday, May 15, 2018, 5-7:30pm on both dates.
The Agri-Cultural Market is held at the DeVisconti Gardens, 3732-A W Wilson Street, Farmville NC.
See market dates and more on the Farmville Community Arts Council Facebook events list.
Garner NC (Wake County)
The Downtown Garner Pop Up Market begins on Saturday, April 28, 2018, 10am-2pm, and continues on Saturdays through November 24, 2018.
This market offers a mix of fresh foods and local crafts. Its location is Garner Rec Park, 205 E Garner Road, Garner NC.
Market vendor information is at downtowngarner.com/pop-up-market-vendor-application.
The ongoing event may be found on Facebook here.
Louisburg NC (Franklin County)
The Franklin County Farmers Market opened at the end of March. The next dates will be Tuesday, April 3, 2018 and Friday April 6, 2018, starting at 10am each day. Stop by for local sweet potatoes, collards, eggs, and more.
The market location is 137 Shannon Village Louisburg NC. It is open Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through most of the year.
Updates and offerings may be posted on the Franklin County Farmers Market Facebook page here.
Rocky Mount NC (Nash County)
Rocky Mount’s 2018 Farmers Market season opens on Saturday, April 7, 2018, 8am-1pm. The opening day schedule includes:
- Flag Ceremony — 8am — Raising of the flag by the Joint Veterans Committee of Nash and Edgecombe Counties
- Coffee and Doughnuts — 8-9am — Complimentary Coffee and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts – while supply lasts.
- Music by Meredith Davis — 9:30-11:30am — Pop, country, beach and classic rock hits performed live.
The market address is 1006 Peachtree Street, Rocky Mount NC.
For 2018, the farmers market will be open Saturdays, 8am-1pm, from April 7 through November. During June, July, and August, the farmers market will be open on Wednesdays, 8am-1pm, in addition to Saturdays.
Themed market days planned include a “Bee Friendly Field Day” on April 28, 2018, and “Strawberry Jazz” on May 19, 2018.
With questions, contact the Market Manager, Jimmy Winters, at 252.407.7920.
Follow the Rocky Mount Farmers Market on Facebook here.
Selma NC (Johnston County)
The “Selma Saturdays Arts & Crafts Market” is returning for its third year. Markets are held once-a-month in Spring and Fall, and started in March. The next market date — with a variety of vendors and live entertainment — will be April 14, 2018, 9am-1pm.
The final Spring 2018 date is May 12, 2018. Fall dates are:
- September 8, 2018
- October 13, 2018
- November 10, 2018
The market is held at the Uptown Selma Gazebo, in the back parking lot of Town Hall, near 100 E Anderson Street, Selma NC.
With questions, contact the Market Coordinator, Melissa Dooley, at 919.965.9841 x.8003 or via email.
The market welcomes arts and craft vendors and farmers to sell their wares. Fees start at $20 per date, with seasonal rate available. Interested vendors may print the rules and application from www.selma-nc.com/selma-saturdays.
The market season Facebook event is here.
Tarboro NC (Edgecombe County)
The Tarboro HomeGrown-Handmade Market is an opportunity to “share passions with like minded makers, growers, and collectors.” During the first week of the season, the Market will be open on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. and Saturday, April 7, 2018, The market runs through October 31, 2018
Hours are 8am-noon, rain or shine, two days a week:
- First and third Saturdays market — at 526 N Main Street, Tarboro NC
- Weekly Wednesday markets — at 102 Grandville Street, Tarboro NC
For those interested in becoming market vendors, the fee is $10 per market, or $70 for the season on Saturdays, or $150 for the season on Wednesdays.
The vendor application form is available here. Send completed application and photos of your products to the market via email. With questions, send to that email or call April Williams at 252.563.6611.
Follow the HomeGrown-HandMade Market Tarboro on Facebook here.
Wake Forest NC (Wake County)
The Wake Forest Farmers Market will be open on Saturdays, 8am-noon, throughout the year.
Opening Day of the market’s “main season” will be Saturday, April 7, 2018, 8am-noon. There will be vendors offering seasonal goods, handmade soaps and candles, honey, micro-greens, meats, and more.
The Wake Forest Farmers Market location is 405 S Brooks Street, Wake Forest NC.
Because the market is open year-round, vendor opportunities may become available. New Vendor Information is on their website at www.wakeforestmarket.org. Note that hours change over winter.
Follow Wake Forest Farmers Market on Facebook here.
Wendell NC (Wake County)
The Wendell Farmers Market will return in 2018, with Opening Day to be announced in the coming weeks. In prior years, the market has opened in May, and been open Saturday mornings.
Follow the Wendell Farmers Market on Facebook here.
Wilson NC (Wilson County)
The farmers market in Wilson, North Carolina is re-opening for 2018 with a new name: Wilson Farmers and Artisan Market.
Opening Day is April 21, 2018. This market will be open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8am-1pm, through October 27, 2018.
This year, the Wilson Farmers and Artisan Market will be held at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson NC.
While spaces remain available, vendor applications may be submitted for consideration. Apply here. Note that registration is required to access the application.
With questions, call Liz Niclaus at 252.399.2216.
Follow the Wilson Farmers and Artisan Market on Facebook here for updates throughout the season.
Zebulon NC (Wake County)
Zebulon Farm Fresh Market opens for the season on Saturday, April 21, 2018, 9am-1pm. Come for Opening Day and meet this year’s vendors. See the offerings of local produce, homemade goods, honey, crafts, plants, and more. Opening Day activities will include inflatables for kids, hot foods, music, and guest vendors.
The Zebulon Farm Fresh Market location for 2018 is the same as last year: 1003 N Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. It will be open on Saturdays 9am-1pm until October.
Vendors signed on for 2018 include some familiar names:
- Martha’s Kitchen
- Simple Soap and Balm
- Rob’s Fresh Produce
- Sprout’s Gifts and Botanicals
- Conveniently Yours
- Oak Ridge Farms
- Heavenly Hope Candles
- Cooterville Farm
- plus approximately two dozen others
With questions, or to find out about availability of vendor spaces, contact the Market Manager, Maurine Brown, at 919.823.1816 or via email.
Follow the Zebulon Farm Fresh Market on Facebook here.
Raleigh NC (Wake County)
North Carolina’s State Farmers Market is located at 1201 Agriculture Street, Raleigh NC. It is a year-round market.
The market is open Monday-Saturday, 5am-6pm, and Sundays 8am-6pm.
Information and updates may be found on Facebook here.
