Local Farms and Farmers' Markets

by Chris Newport, Nutritionist & Head Coach

If you happen to live in the Raleigh-Durham area, we’re pretty lucky to have a ton of amazing local farms and farmers’ markets. Not only that, but there are lots of options for organic foods and CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture).

I recently attended a lecture on local farming and their benefits presented by a few North Carolina State University extension. While local foods aren’t always healthier (remember, local doesn’t always mean organic), it’s important to know your farmer and ask questions about how their food is grown. However, the sooner you eat fruits and veggies from the time of harvest, the higher the nutritional quality. Plus, when you spend our money on local foods, that money tends to get spent in the local economy.

Since we’re huge advocates of eating real food at The Endurance Edge, here’s a list of some of our trusted favorites local farms and farmers’ markets.

In Good Heart Farm, Ben and Patricia do a great job (those peppers in the photo are from their farm!) growing wholesome and delicious food. While it’s not certfied organic, they do all the work to make it organic. They offer a CSA (it’s incredible!) and they’re at the Western Wake Farmers’ Market. We’ve helped them plant potatoes and they’ll have harvest parties too!
Ninja Cow Farm, a local “beyond organic” small operation for beef, pork and chicken with a great blog. I took my kids on a fun tour there where they got to feed the cows and drive the tractor!
Fickle Creek Farm, a farm in Efland that has incredible eggs, organic meats and produce. In fact, we stopped at their farm a couple of years ago as part of a bicycle ride and they had salted hard-boiled eggs that were the perfect treat. They’re at the Western Wake Farmers’ Market every Saturday and have a CSA for produce, eggs and/or meat. They also do farm tours and stays.
Redbud Organic Farm, another vendor at the Western Wake Farmers’ Market with the most colorful selection of potatoes and peppers you’ve ever seen. It’s like produce-porn. And it’s delicious!
Coon Rock Farm, this is another farm in Hillsborough that we did that bicycle ride (it was called Cycle to Farm) from. They are at the Cary Farmers’ Market and are always enticing people to their booth with the amazing aromas of freshly cooked breakfast sausage on Saturday mornings. Their Thanksgiving turkeys are awesome.
Vollmer Farm, hands down, the best organic blueberry and strawberry picking in Bunn. We go every year (several times) and it never disappoints. Plus, they have great stuff for kids.
Western Wake Farmers’ Market, which is one of the best markets for organic options in Wake County, in my opinion. Great parking too.
Cary Farmers’ Market, in the heart of downtown Cary at the old church on Chatham Street.
Raleigh Farmers’ Market, which is the largest in the state, is great for people watching, lots of produce (although no organic options), and a great selection of plants.
Thrive Market, while it’s far from local, this online market has great organic options at affordable prices. Think BJs meets Whole Foods for the best organic and natural products online. For every membership, Thrive donates a membership to a low-income family.

This is barely scratching the surface too. Check out Local Harvest for Cary and you’ll be amazed with all the farms around town. It’s a little hard to navigate, but you’ll be able to find some farms you might have never known were practically in your backyard!

While I haven’t been to these markets, I didn’t want to leave them out:

Not sure what fruits and veggies you should choose organic? Here’s a great guide: EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce.

What are your favorite local farms or CSAs? Please share!