Raleigh Farmers Market

Even though winters are cold the Raleigh Farmers Market is open year round!

We love exploring farmers markets where ever we go. And the Raleigh Farmers Market, which is one of four Farmers Markets owned by the state of North Carolina and operated by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is no exception.  Steve and I usually have breakfast at the Farmers Market Restaurant first and then head over to the very large market to see what inspires us.

The property is vast. Though there are three restaurants on the property we have only been to the Farmers Market Restaurant because we love their fresh country cooking. They are open for lunch but it is always breakfast that we go for. Maybe on one of our future visits, we will try the Seafood Restaurant for lunch or dinner; or the other place there for breakfast – the Market Grill. In addition to the three restaurants, there are five other buildings. The one we visit most often is the 30,000 square foot Farmers Building which is where North Carolina farmers sell their fresh produce, plants, and other specialty items produce on local farms. Plants of all sorts are available beginning in March until the weather gets too cold to plant them. Local fruits and vegetables are sold throughout the growing season. This particular visit was in September and tomatoes, peppers and squashes were at their peak of ripeness and abundance.

The 15,600 square foot climate controlled building that houses the Market Shoppes also offers fresh produce. But some of that produce is from around the country, not necessarily local. In this enclosed building you will also find meats, cheeses, crafts, bakery items, custom picture framing, a market grill, and North Carolina wines. In addition, a wide variety of specialty shops offer old fashioned candies, North Carolina gifts, soaps, and lotions for sale.

And yet another building called the Truckers Building enables volume buyers to drive through the 15,400 square feet of selling space. In the Truckers Building, the sellers handle large quantities of apples, tomatoes, peaches, watermelons, and cantaloupes from North Carolina as well as from other producers worldwide.

There is a Wholesale Terminal where most of the produce in the Triangle is purchased. Five wholesalers supply grocery stores, restaurants, schools and other institutions, and roadside markets.

But wait. There’s more! There are over two acres of unique architectural elements, fountains, pots, trellises, water features, furniture, ironwork, stone, teak, pottery, and other interesting items from across the globe on sale at Market Imports.

Obviously, you can see how you could spend an entire day at the Raleigh Farmers Market.