Vaughn Ford, co-owner of Ford’s Produce Company, Inc., echoes Newsome’s comments on the thriving restaurant scene, but is located in the Triangle region which includes Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. The area is home to many universities, technology-based businesses, and eateries to meet everyone’s palate. “The Triangle is a thriving area; this region is growing—year after year. It’s ranked as one of the best places to live in the country. People keep moving here because of it.”
Raleigh, like Columbia, SC, is experiencing a construction boom as more young people move into the downtown area. Many don’t own cars or trucks and choose to ride bikes or walk to nearby stores to purchase food, making multiple trips during the week instead of the formerly traditional once-a-week trek.
MARKET FAST FACTS
Greenville State Farmers Market
1354 Rutherford Road, Greenville, SC
864-244-4023
Open Monday to Saturday
Ardona Summerall, market contact – asummerall@scda.sc.govSouth Carolina State Farmers Market & Agribusiness Center
3483 Charleston Hwy., West Columbia, SC
803-737-4664
Open daily
Brad Boozer, market manager – bboozer@scda.sc.gov .Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
1801 Yorkmont Road, Charlotte, NC
704-357-1269
Open daily May to September,
Tuesdays & Saturdays October to April
Amie Newsome, manager – Amie.Newsome@ncagr.govRaleigh Farmers Market
1201 Agriculture Street, Raleigh, NC
919-733-7417
Open daily
Ronnie Best, market manager – ronnie.best@ncagr.govWestern North Carolina Farmers Market
570 Brevard Road, Asheville, NC
828-253-1691
Open daily
Doug Sutton, market manager – doug.sutton@ncagr.gov
Others are turning to their computers, tablets, or phones and ordering online for pickup or delivery right to their door. In response, both supermarkets and local growers are taking note and ramping up their online services and delivery options to attract and retain these Internet-savvy customers.
Local and Local-ish
Due to their geographical location, local produce for the Carolinas can include fruit and vegetables from nearby states to fill supply gaps due to weather or other impediments. This year, sellers contended with a shortage of peaches in South Carolina, and reduced blueberry production in both Georgia and North Carolina after spring frosts.
