Everyone knows to head to their nearby Charlotte farmers markets to get fresh, local produce, but there are SO MANY markets around town, each offering a unique selection and way more than just tomatoes. Here are our picks on the area markets you can check out this summer ~ there are 15, so just about one per weekend between now and Labor Day should do it!
Charlotte “Close In” Farmers Markets
The Big One. The Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
AKA “Yorkmont Rd”, this huge market is owned by the state of North Carolina and offers way beyond local produce, including fresh flowers, plants & shrubs, non-local produce, prepared foods, baked goods, meats, cheeses, and more. It’s also open all year long, is a ritual way to kick off the weekend, and people get there EARLY to get the best of the “Local Farmer, Local Food” produce. Plus they have little “events” throughout the month, with these scheduled for Saturdays June.
- National Egg Day Saturday, June 3 Vendors will be passing out free recipes featuring fresh eggs.
- Poultry Day Saturday, June 10 Free poultry recipes available from several vendors.
- Eat Your Vegetable Day Saturday, June 17 Several vendors will be passing out free vegetable recipes.
- Blueberry Day Saturday, June 24 Stop by to pick up free blueberry recipes from vendors.
1801 Yorkmont Rd. in West Charlotte.
May – September Tuesday – Saturday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sunday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
The Popular One. Kings Drive Farmers Market
Hosted by Simpsons Produce the Kings Drive Farmers Market has been the close in go-to for decades. They do a good job of marking locally grown vs non, offer shucked corn, picked beans and peas, lots of baked goods, fresh seafood while it lasts, and have a great garden center for flowers, plants and veggie packs. The tomatoes alone are worth the visit.
939 Kings Drive, corner at Morehead.
Opened Tuesday(6am – 6pm), Friday(6am- 8pm), and Saturday(7am- 3pm). April – September
NOTE: The Junior Player from Simpson’s in SouthPark
Simpson’s has a 2nd produce stand/market now open 2 days a week. Wednesday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 7am to 4pm on Sharon Rd right beside Long’s Dry cleaning. Plans are to expand selection as time goes on.
The Oldest Market in Town, The Mecklenburg County Market in Dilworth
Tucked in near the hospital, on Harding Place, if you don’t know it you have probably driven right by and missed it. But CLT foodies have been buying from this small brick building since 1937. Our favorites are the uber-healthy, vegan and vegetarian prepared dishes from Beverly’s Gourmet Foods.
1515 Harding Place
Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Sun noon a.m.-5 p.m.
The Uptown Market ~ 7th Street Public Market
Not exactly a typical farmers market, nonetheless, 7th Street Market has a wonderful farm stand with produce, dairy, etc from regional farms. It also has so so much more, including fun events, wine tastings, etc.
224 E. 7th Street
Wed-Thur 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat, 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sun, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. {individual vendor hours vary}
The Grassroots Neighborhood NoDa Farmers Market
The NoDa market is only open Saturdays, but it is open year round. It’s a not for profit association and the vendors are not charged to participate – instead, it is sponsored by local businesses and fund-raising supported. You’ll Find:
- Zone 7 Foods
- Burton Farms
- Local Loaf Bakery
- Wish We Had Acres Farm
- Urban Gourmet Farms
- Midwood Hill Apiary
- Two Moons Family Farms
- Orrmans Cheese Shop
- Grass Fed Productions
- The Dumpling Lady
- Street Fare Farm
- Eli’s Lemonade Drink
3221 Yadkin Avenue – located behind Smelly Cat Coffeehouse and NoDa Company Store
Saturdays 9 a.m.-noon
Guaranteed Locals at The Plaza Midwood Farmers Market
Only those products produced by local vendors, caught by local Fisherman, harvested by local beekeepers or created by the local chefs are offered. All the PM FM vendors are small producers using organic and “green” methods producing the quality vegetables, fruit, eggs, honey, jams & jellies, that are offered at this market.
2007 Commonwealth Avenue
May through the end of November, Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
In a New Spot But Still Thriving, Atherton Market in South End
It’s moved across the “way” while the major reno takes place, but it’s still a community hub in the South End showcasing the best from small local farms and artisans. In addition to produce, meat, seafood, eggs and a variety of dairy products, you can find supplies at the Market to create a garden or pick out home and bath care products.
2104 South Blvd.
Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m ~ best selection on Saturdays.
The New Kid on the Block. The Cotswold Farmers Market
New to CLT in 2016, this market is already a huge favorite for Charlotteans living anywhere near Cotswold ~ it’s right there at the shopping center. Saturdays through the end of October, the Cotswold market features farms and producers located within 100 miles, and there’s more than just food to enjoy. Like live music, weekly chef demos, and pet babysitters to hold your dog’s leash while you shop the pet free environment.
309 S Sharon Amity Road
Saturdays 8 a.m.-noon
Great Markets in the Burbs and Exurbs
Big Time in Matthews at the Matthews Community Farmers Market
Per their website, the Matthews market is the largest, most diverse producers-only farmers’ market in the greater Charlotte area. All food and other market products, except fish, are grown, raised or made within 50 miles of Matthews. All foods are locally grown or produced. Fish, when available, is line-caught and landed on the North Carolina coast. Their website is a fabulous resource for market info and up-to-the minute news, like what produce, dairy etc. will be at the market each Saturday. For example, Saturday June 3 brings:
Strawberries, bueberries, greenhouse-grown tomatoes, garlic, potatoes (assorted varieties) broccoli, kohlrabi, greenhouse-grown Shishito peppers, summer squash and zucchini, cabbage, carrots, beets, arugula, radishes, salad turnips, mushrooms (assorted varieties), mizuna, bok choi, pac choi, endives, Swiss chard, field-field grown lettuce and salad mixes, kale (several varieties), slicing onions, leeks, greenhouse grown lettuces, micro greens, watercress, edible flowers, culinary herbs
And we learned a lot about what to expect this peach season from their site:
Peaches Are Coming To Market In July!
Unseasonably warm weather caused area peach trees to flower in February this year, only to be zapped by three days of hard, freezing temperatures in early March. The sustained cold killed 75 percent of the peach crop in the Carolinas. Pee Dee Orchards of Lilesville, which provides all the peaches for our annual peach fundraiser, has only two late-season varieties that made it through unscathed. Contender and Sweet Sue – both sweet, juicy, free-stone varieties – will be ready for harvest sometime in July. This means we’ll have peaches available at the market for three or four Saturdays.
188 N. Trade Street, rain or shine.
Saturdays 8 a.m. – noon
The Mint Hill Farmers Market
“It might not be the biggest or the oldest, but Mint Hill’s farmers market is one of the most unique. Set in the Carl J. McEwen Historical Village, it offers the perfect spot to buy produce that’s locally grown, peruse crafts, or have a hot dog or hamburger. It’s a testament to the work members of the historical society have done in recent years to make the village not only a place for preserving history, but somewhere the town can gather and celebrate the ways of the past.” Editorial by Tim Long, Mint Hill Times
7601 Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m May to October
The Waxhaw Farmers Market
April-December, open every Saturday. A non-Profit organization bringing LOCAL growers and artisans. Farmers and artisan vendors proudly growing and making all of our products locally. “We come to the market to provide you fresh-from-the-farm goodness and our unique crafting of hand-made foods and specialty items.” Located in Historic downtown Waxhaw, behind Stewart’s Village Gallery at the corner of Price and Church Street.
Saturdays 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
The Springs Farm Stand, Market, UPick Farm in Ft. Mill
Best known for its fresh peaches, this SC produce farm has a reputation to select, harvest, and sell optimum flavored fresh fruit. Each and every peach, strawberry, fruit, or vegetable you buy from Springs Farm is locally grown in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The Springs Farm Market opens each year in April with strawberries and closes around the end of August with peaches. The homemade ice cream and the baked goods are a major plus.
Open Monday – Saturday: 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm APRIL TO SEPTEMBER
1010 Springfield Parkway Fort Mill, SC 29715
(803) 548-3939
Open Thursday Evenings! The Old Town Market in Rock Hill
Old Town Farmers Market is Rock Hill’s only all-local farmers market where fresh seasonal produce, pastured meats, farm products, and handmade works by local artisans are made available to the community. Markets feature free musical entertainment and lots of family activities, like cornhole, yoga, gem mining, face painting and more. Check out the weekly Thursday events here.
Old Town Farmers Market is located at 300 East Main Street, in Fountain Park.
The Davidson Farmers Market
Located next to the Davidson Town Hall between Main & Jackson Streets with more than thirty-five farmers from within one hundred miles of Davidson, offering locally grown fruits and vegetables, meats, and cheeses produced by sustainable or organic methods when possible. “The mission of Davidson Farmer’s Market is to sponsor a weekly farmer’s Market in Davidson which provides locally grown food, educates the public about nutrition and the importance of eating locally grown foods and offers musical entertainment, special events and cooking and other demonstrations to create a community festival for the Town. DFM’s goal is to create a vibrant community gathering place with locally grown agricultural and horticultural products and family-friendly educational, musical and entertainment activities.”
The Davidson market also sells breads, eggs, honey, flowers and soaps, prepared foods, pastas and ready-to-eat foods.
216 S. Main Street
Saturdays 8 a.m.–noon
The Huntersville Growers’ Market
Huntersville Growers’ Market will be held at Huntersville Elementary School at 200 Gilead Road for the 2017 season as construction continues for the Town’s new indoor facility, Veteran’s Park, at Main Street and Maxwell Avenue. A weekly market open Saturdays from May through August, with lots of kid friendly events and produce, flowers, and baked goods along with jewelry, plants, and crafts.
200 Gilead Road
Saturdays 8 a.m.-noon
