“Kids these days don’t even know that milk comes from a cow!” Therefore, we take them to a farmers market, where they can meet the people who grow their food, and see all the natural and healthy products from the pastures that surround our city.
At least, that’s the idea. If you want to combine that good old ideal world with a realistic family outing around Raleigh, you find something that suits you in this list I put together based on what would be most interesting for a family visit.

The biggest: State Farmers Market

Let’s start with “The Farmers Market”, the real one, the big one, the official one. The one where real farmers show up with their trucks, and where high end chefs buy the food they will serve that night. (Yep, I’m not kidding. And in addition to bulk buyers like restaurants, farmers also sell to wholesalers here.)

Probably the best day to visit is a weekday morning – so next time there is a teacher workday, consider a visit to the farmers market in the morning. (They are open 7 days a week, year-round.) However, this could also backfire, because some of the farmer’s booths are not open on slow days. If you go on the weekend instead, it will be bustling, but everything will be open (for sure on Saturday, when it’s busiest. Sunday also “depends”.

There is no coincidence that I’m writing this in late August. As the days get chillier, the fresh produce suffers less from the heat (no A/C), and this makes the visit more pleasant, and a wide variety of foods are available – Peaches are still available, early apples are coming, tomatoes, watermelons, peppers… you will not be disappointed.

Recommended tour when visiting with kids:

First stop: “Farmers Building 1”. Park around Building 1, where the farmers are; if you go to the end near “Super Sod”, there is often still parking nearby. Leave the stroller in the cart, especially on a busy day. Everything is nearby, and all the fresh produce is in that building. Let the kids lead – let them explore what they know, ask what they don’t. Buy them that funny ugly potato. And those juicy bright red tomatoes. Somewhere along the way, there may be a stall selling baked goods or other treats.

Depending on how many bushels you bought and how far the kids can walk, you head now over to second stop: “The Market Shoppes (building 2)”: Yes, it has A/C, yes it has coffee and ice cream. No, not everything is local and artisanal. (But a lot actually is – talk to the vendors, find out about their story.) Most of them are small family businesses with a passion for what they do. From meat to honey to candy to coffee, I’m sure there is something that you like.

Third stop: “Logan’s”. Yes, it’s ok to drive over to Logans, especially with kids. Or you tag-team, and while one walks with the kids, the other gets the car. Logan is a dream for anybody with a yard, a garden, or a small balcony, they sell everything from small seeds to fully grown trees.

North Carolina State Farmers Market details:
Address: 1201 Agriculture St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Getting there: even though Walnut Creek greenway and Dix Park are right there, loading up the minivan is the right choice here. Park to the right and behind building 1 (between 1&2).
Dates: open every day year round
Hours: M-F 5a-7p, Sun 8a-5p
Website: State Farmers Market – Raleigh | NC Agriculture
Tips: Go Sunday or Friday, go before 10am, bring good shoes (but no stroller), consider an empty cooler with an ice pack if you live farther away

The smallest: Raleigh City Farm

The “big Farmers Market” is authentic, but it is also massive. For a more idyllic, and truly field-to-table experience, walk or bike over to Raleigh City Farm. Everything they sell is grown right there, on site, on a small city block that 15 years ago became a farm. Here, you can see tomatoes and squash on the plant, and then head over to the farmstand and buy them. Also herbs, salad and more. While you can go to the farmers market with a grocery and expect to find anything that is in season, here you show up and look for inspiration, and make dinner from what they sell. The Farmstand is open Wednesdays from 4-6, from April-October.

Raleigh City Farm Market Stand details:
Address: 800 N Blount St., Raleigh NC
Getting there: Walk or bike, this is in downtown.
Dates: Wednesdays, April – October (confirm on website)
Hours: 4p-7p
Website: Farm Stand at Raleigh City Farm
Tips: Be flexible on what to get, and pick up one of their recipes.

The realest: Agri Supply of Garner Farmers Market

If the big Farmers Market is “Farm to Table”, then the Agri Supply of Garner’s Farmers Market is “Backyard-to-table”. A small farm at the Farmers Market is still somewhere from 10 to 100 acres or more in size. But if your neighbor has a flock of chicken in the backyard, they will sell those eggs at the Agri Supply in Garner. (And quite possibly the chicken as well.) According to Agri Supply, they host around 50 local businesses in their large parking lot, selling everything from produce to baked goods to meat, dairy, home made crafts and home sewn oven mitts – you name it. And speaking of Agri Supply, make sure to step inside the store and look around. “If you need it on a farm, you can buy it here.” From tractor tires to plumbing supplies to seeds to poultry feed, they have it at Agri Supply.

The store is open every day. The farmer’s market takes place about once a month, the website says on the second Saturday, but I also saw one listed for Sat, 8/29 (see below). Check their Facebook page to make sure.

The dates seems to be roughly 2nd and 4th Saturdays with a twist:
Second Saturdays: Farmer’s Market: From their Facebook page: “… about 50 small local businesses … artisans will feature HANDMADE products … farmers will have their FRESH produce and HOMEMADE goods like eggs, bread, vegetables and more … several food trucks …”
Fourth? Saturday: Farm Swap: From their Facebook page: “… a variety of animals will be available for swap or sale, including chickens, roosters, sheep, turkeys, … [also] FRESH produce like plants, crops, fruits and HOMEMADE goods like eggs, sourdough, canning …”

Did I pique your interest? Again check the events section of their Facebook page for dates – it looks like both the Farmers Market and the Farm Swap are worth a visit: I actually found about this when I went to the store one Saturday, and I can’t even tell if that was a Market or a Swap.

Agri Supply of Garner Farmers’ Market / Farm Swap details:
Address: 409 US Hwy 70 E, Garner NC (½mi after passing the Benson Rd bridge, on the left)
Getting there: It’s closer than it sounds, just about 15 minutes from downtown Raleigh
Dates: usually on the 2nd Saturday, but check their facebook group below 
Hours: typically 9a-1p or 9a-3p
Website: Agri Supply of Garner, also check their facebook group with market dates
Tips: Next time you need to go to a home improvement store, go the extra mile and come here (on the right Saturday)

Two that I want to check out next, and more

While researching for this article, I came across two promising looking markets, but I cannot vouch for them with first-hand experience. One is the Wake Forest Farmers Market, year-round on Saturdays, with an eclectic looking mishmash of offerings. Then on Sundays, alternating between Raleigh (2nd and 4th Sat) and Durham (1st and 3rd Sat) is the Black Farmers Market. The Raleigh location is on Rock Quarry Road, and they list about 3 dozen vendors on their list.

Wake Forest Farmers Market overview:
Address: 235 S Taylor St, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Getting there: a good ½ hour drive from downtown Raleigh, less from North Raleigh
Dates: “every Saturday year round rain or shine” (their words)
Hours: 8a-12p (Apr-Oct), 9a-12p (Nov-Mar)
Website: Wake Forest Farmers Market and Wake Forest Farmers Market on Facebook (better up to date)
Note: I have not yet visited this one

Black Farmers Market overview:
Address: 2718 Rock Quarry Rd Raleigh, NC 27601
Getting there: 10 minutes from downtown, take Rock Quarry to just past SE Raleigh High
Dates: 2nd & 4th Sundays (1st and 3rd Sundays in Durham)
Hours: 1p-4p
Website: https://blackfarmersmkt.org/the-market/

Small Town Farmers Markets

Beyond that, it appears that Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs as well as Cary and Morrisville all have their local markets, but verify times and dates if you are planning to go. There is a good overview by Wake County.

Lastly, if you search the web for Raleigh farmers market, you’ll find several listings on commercial websites that are simply wrong. Moore Square Farmers Market no longer runs, and its successor Dream Farmers Market neither. I also couldn’t find any current information on a “North Raleigh Farmers Market”, even though several sources list one. This shows: make sure websites you check are up to date, and verify schedules before you go. One tip is to check not just the website, but also the Facebook / Instagram account of the markets; if they haven’t posted in 71 weeks, chances are the market no longer exists.

When you go, remember it’s about a positive experience for the kids, and connecting them to the origin of their food, and the joy of fresh, local products. If you find some ingredients for next week’s meals, all the better. Oh yeah, and that line about kids not knowing milk comes from a cow? That song (John Denver, Daddy what’s a Train) is from the last century anyway.

Have fun!

What fruits and vegetables are in season?

Your wonderful Department of Agriculture’s What’s in Season chart has got you covered.