Fresh from the farm: What to expect at 10 Wilmington-area farmers markets
There's nothing more pleasing to your palate than freshly grown produce. If you're ready for locally grown vegetables and fruits, check out these returning favorites and a couple of new farmers markets in the Wilmington area.
Did we miss yours? Let us know by emailing cheryl.whitaker@starnewsonline.com.
NEW HANOVER
Riverfront Farmers' Market
The Riverfront Farmers' Market in downtown Wilmington, celebrated its 20th anniversary on April 1.
The market, managed by Cool Wilmington, is held every Saturday through Nov. 18 (except during Azalea Festival and Riverfest), 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on two blocks ― Dock Street between Water and Second streets. Rain or shine. Free admission.
The market usually consists of up to 50 vendors, which typically carry locally grown berries, cut flowers, fresh eggs and honey, bread, baked goods, jams, fresh produce, pickles, mushrooms, sprouts, and meat. Wilmington’s top handcrafted jewelers and artisans will also be on hand. Vendors alternate each Saturday, so no two weekends will ever exactly be the same.
More: 4 ways to support local farms, and get fresh food, in the Wilmington area
Farmers' Market at Poplar Grove
One of the special qualities of the Farmers' Market at Poplar Grove is the interaction with the farmers growing and producing fresh produce. It's scheduled to open 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesdays from April 12-Sept. 27 at 10200 U.S. 17, Wilmington.
The market also offers homemade cookies and desserts, artisans' homemade soaps, cutting boards, landscaping and bedding plants, herbs, salves and oils, jewelry, and accessories for home, hearth and garden.
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Wrightsville Beach Farmers' Market
Eat fresh with locally grown produce from the Wrightsville Beach Farmers' Market, which is locally owned. The weekly farmers market also offers baked goods, seafood, crafts, and more. Hours are 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays, May 15-Dec. 4 at the Wrighstville Beach Municipal Grounds (adjacent to town hall). No metered parking in the farmers market filed. Parking is reserved for farmers market patrons only.
To see the list of vendors, please visit https://www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com/183/Farmers-Market.
For more information, please contact, Katie Ryan at 910-256-7925.
Carolina Beach Market
Local growers, artisans and crafters will be at the Carolina Beach Market, which opens 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 20. The market located at South Lake Park Boulevard at Atlanta Avenue will run through Sept. 30. The market also offers local fruits and vegetables, dairy products, wines, meats, baked goods and natural soaps. Also enjoy live music.
Frankie's Outdoor Market
Frankie's Outdoor Market, a weekly community year-round market, hosted by the Northside Food Co-op, carries fresh local produce and meats, baked goods, jewelry, bath, body and hair care. The open-air market hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays and is located at 1019 Princess St., Wilmington. They also accept EBT.
Wilmington Farmers' Market at Tidal Creek
The market is open 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, year-round, located at 5329 Oleander Drive, Wilmington (front of Tidal Creek Cooperative Food Market). Rain or shine.
The market provides the best local produce, meats, eggs, bread, mushrooms, seafood and other staple food items.
A list of vendors can be found at https://www.thewilmingtonfarmersmarket.com/vendorsandproducts.
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BRUNSWICK
The Farmers' Market at Towncreek Vision
A new "vision" is coming to Leland. The Towncreek Vision Corporation, a nonprofit organization located in Leland, is starting a new farmers market in Leland.
The market is scheduled to open Saturday, May 6, and is currently accepting vendors. For more information or to submit an application, please visit https://towncreekvision.org/ or email dana.blanks@towncreekvision.org.
The market will operate the first three Saturdays of each month through Nov. 11, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Farmers Market is located at 215 Sunnybrook Way.
Proceeds from the market will support new programs for children and senior citizens of Brunswick County.
Southport Summer Market
Downtown Southport Inc. is excited for its official opening of the 2023 Southport Summer Market. The market will open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, May 3 in Franklin Square Park, 130 E. West St., Southport.
Vendors will be offering a wide variety of local produce, baked goods and handcrafted items.
The market will be held every Wednesday through Sept. 30.
Indigo Farms Market
The "on-farm market," located at 1542 Hickman Road NW, Calabash, is a small family farm that grows fruits and vegetables. The market is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The strawberry "pick your own" varies, depending on how the berries ripen. To see when pick you own may be ready, visit https://www.facebook.com/IndigoFarmsMarket.
The "on-farm market" is also at the International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach Farmers' Market on Thursdays.
More: Keeping it local: This Brunswick County farm is revamping its 5th-generation cattle business
PENDER
Hampstead Farmers' Market
A year round sustainable, producers only farmers market is coming to Pender County. Opening day for the new market will be Thursday, April 13.
Hours will be 4-7 p.m. Thursdays at Shaka's Backyard Beer Garden, 2368 Country Club Drive, Hampstead.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Fresh from the farm: 9 farmers markets in the Wilmington NC area
