We actually started going to farmer's markets as a couple when we were living north of Fredericton, New Brunswick. We went to see people and to pick up a few things that we did not grow on our own farm. Even more so than most farmer's markets, there were homemade items interspersed with farm produce. There were no food items that we really needed but I think we went home with baskets to use with our own garden produce. Still we enjoyed the market especially the people.
Maybe it was because we had dirt under our fingernails and a close connection to producing food but for whatever reason, visiting farmer's market became a life-long passion. Once we got settled in Roanoke, Virginia, in 1989, Saturday morning visits to the Roanoke City Market which has been operating since 1882, became a part of our regular routine. We rarely came back empty handed. My wife, Glenda, almost always found some flowers and during the growing season there tomatoes to supplement our own, corn, peaches, and other goodies.
Once we moved to the North Carolina coast in 2006, we had to adjust and change our produce hunting habits and frequent local produce stands like we did when we were first married and living close to Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley. There are some great produce stands in Carteret County and we appreciated all the great food to supplement our own garden.
Fast forward to 2021 and we moved to Davie County, North Carolina. It appears this area stretching through the Triad is home to more farmer's markets that even we can visit. We have three regular ones that we try to hit each week, Smith Grove, Bermuda Run, and Mocksville. We also have visited the Clemmons market. We have not yet made it to the ones in Winston-Salem.
One of the great worries about farming and certainly farmer's markets is that the current crop of farmers are getting old and there will be no new farmers to replace them. I am happy to report that I have seen more young farmer in this area than I have seen since I was a young farmer back in the seventies. No only are they young but they are bringing new ideas and energy to the world of farming.
I think we are okay at least in this part of North Carolina for farmers to carry on the tradition of direct marketing to consumers.
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