The NC State Farmers Market: Everything you need to know

If you’re someone who prefers home-grown and organic produce, then you might want to start picking up your cabbages and carrots from the North Carolina State Farmers Market right here in Raleigh.

The State Farmer’s Market is one of the best places to get acquainted with North Carolina’s agricultural heritage (NC happens to be the leading grower of sweet potatoes in the US) and is open rain or shine, 365 days a year – so if fresh produce is what you need, this is what you will find. 

As soon as you walk up to the red-roofed barn-style buildings, the rich scent of earth and newly picked fruit, aromatic flowers, and freshly-brewed coffee hits you like a ton of bricks. It’s like stepping into a simpler time, with cheerful farmers and vendors from across the state showing off their prize-winning produce. It’s a space connecting people, land, and livelihood in one colorful, bustling space.

And, it’s not just for fruit and veg – you also will find hand-crafted goods, restaurants, plants, and so much more. In this guide, we share everything you need to know about the State Farmer’s Market in Raleigh – whether you’re looking to restock your pantry or just savor a hearty southern breakfast, this is what to expect.

About the State Farmers Market

Sprawling across 75 acres, the State Farmer’s Market is often regarded as one of the nation’s best and most modern farmers’ markets. 

Though don’t let the fact that innovation is kinda Raleigh’s thing tempt you into thinking this is some spaceship-style market. We love how unpretentious and nostalgic the market feels, with hand-written signs hung up with string and chalkboard a-frames advertising deals, but it also has high-tech climate-controlled functions behind the scenes to bring it into the 21st century. 

The Farmers Market started back in 1955 as a modest market on the corner of Wilmington and Chavis Way. The idea was simple: give farmers from across North Carolina a central place to sell their crops directly to the public – no middleman, just farm to people. 

In the beginning, there were no grocery chains or Walmarts to dominate, but the NC State Farmers Market stayed true to its roots and blossomed as a result. In 1991, the demand had outgrown that original patch of land, and so the market relocated to its current 75-acre site on Lake Wheeler Road, which now places it as the largest farmers’ market in the Southeast. 

Although still focused on offering produce straight from the farm to the people, the market has grown from a simple marketplace to a community hub, opening space for specialty shops, restaurants, and more.

The NC State Farmers Market is a year-round market, continuing to serve as a connection between the people and local farmers — many of whom have been selling here for generations. Although it has been modernized in recent years, the market maintains a down-home atmosphere rather than a commercial supermarket vibe, making it a much-loved historic institution in the City of Oaks.

Opening Hours and Fees

The State Farmers Market facility is free to enter and is open from 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday to Saturday, and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sunday. However, each vendor may have separate opening times, so it’s recommended to visit between 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, which is when most businesses in the market are open. 

Where to shop

Farmers Building

Most people coming to the Farmers Market will be coming for the Farmers Building, which is where you will find a huge, 30,000 square foot covered space where you can pick up fresh produce and plants grown on farms in North Carolina, most of which are local to the Triangle area. The farmer’s building is especially popular during the fall to get your pumpkins.

Here you will find a range of seasonal fruit and vegetables, such as pumpkins in the fall and leafy greens in the spring. What you find really depends on the growing season, as all vegetables are harvested just before going to the market for sale, ensuring their freshness. As everything is fresh at the farmer’s market, you can expect to find plants between March and the end of the growing season in the Fall.

Logan’s Garden Shop

This garden center is a full-service lawn and garden center that has been operating since 1965. It sells both annuals and perennials, as well as greenhouse plants and seeds.

You can also find other items for your garden, such as outdoor furniture, bird feeders, plant pots, etc. The garden center is open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

The Market Shoppe

As well as fresh fruit and veg, you can also find meats, cheeses, and seafood from across North Carolina, which is kept in the 15,600 square foot enclosed building, which is climate-controlled to ensure freshness.  Also in this section are various artisans selling things like soap, ceramics, candies, jewelry, gifts, NC wines, candles, and beauty products. 

Many vendors operate on weekends only or for a short period of time since their produce is seasonal, so there is no official vendor directory. If you need something specific, reach out to the highly active Fans of the State Farmer’s Market in Raleigh Facebook group, which connects the vendors and the community. Below are some of our favorite vendors in the climate-controlled Market Shoppe area: 

Nahunta Pork Center

Perhaps one of the most well-known vendors in the Market Shoppe is Nahunta Pork Center, a renowned pork specialist based in Raleigh. They offer a wide range of pork products such as sausages, bacon, country‐cured ham, salted pork, etc, which have been made using traditional in‐house methods and family recipes. 

The livestock is procured from local farmers, and they handle the processing themselves; this ensures they maintain high quality and can keep prices competitive.

Rainbow Meadow Farms

We love to get our pasture-raised meats from Rainbow Meadow Farms, which can be found at the Market Shoppes building and their booth is open every Saturday and Sunday 9am-3pm. This long-established family farm is located in Greene County, North Carolina, and is operated by the Garner family.

The farm focuses on sustainable and humane livestock practices and has pasture-raised livestock such as pork, beef, chicken, lamb, turkey, and rabbits. They also produce free-range eggs without hormones or antibiotics.

Nancy Jo’s Homemade of Raleigh

Nancy Jo is your neighborhood baker who has been producing delicious desserts and cakes for over 30 years. All of their cakes, pies, and breads are homemade from scratch using locally sourced ingredients. They are popular, so if you need a cake for a special occasion, it’s best to put in an order 7 days in advance and pick it up from the Market Shoppe; otherwise, swing by the stall and see what’s available. Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except Tuesday when they are closed.

MAE Farm

Another farm to get pasture-raised pork. MAE Farm started in 2004 and is local to the Raleigh area. It produces grass-fed beef, free-roam pork, cheese, dairy, and eggs. All animals graze on pastures and forested lots, ensuring their produce is healthy and humane. This is the stall to go to if you want cheese! They also sell award-winning mozzarella cheese from Chapel Hill Creamery. 

Trucker’s Building and Wholesale Terminal

Now, if you’re a business or you require a large quantity of supplies, the Trucker’s Building is where you will be able to buy in bulk. Here you can drive through a 15,400 square foot space where produce such as apples, tomatoes, peaches, and various melons are sold in huge volumes. Produce from this section is from both North Carolina and international sources.

The wholesale terminal is a different section, but the concept is the same in that it’s for people buying large quantities. Here you can find mostly produce grown in the Triangle area, but it’s not limited to fruit and vegetables. This is where your grocery stores, restaurants, and other markets get their produce.

Where to eat and drink

State Farmers Market Restaurant

One of our favorite spots for breakfast in Raleigh, the State Farmers Market Restaurant is the place to go for a classic Southern, fresh country cooking meal, and famous for their giant biscuits.

Renowned for its hearty breakfasts such as country ham and biscuits, chicken and waffles, and eggs made your way – this is a place worth waking up for. Open from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday to Saturday and 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Sunday. It gets very busy on weekends.

Market Grill by Carolina Crispy Fry

For a hearty breakfast and lunch, head to Market Grill by Carolina Crispy Fry, a casual cafeteria-style eatery located inside the Market Shoppe area. The grill offers a variety of breakfast and lunch options, including hot dogs, premium burgers, and egg and cheese sandwiches. 

They are known for their weekend specials and fried snacks. They also operate the Carolina Pop Snack stand (rice crackers), which are a tasty, low-calorie snack that tastes divine when topped with hummus or peanut butter. The grill operates from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Mondays through Saturdays, and 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sundays.

N.C. Seafood Restaurant

Serving fresh seafood, the NC Seafood Restaurant is exactly what it says on the tin. Offering Calabash-style seafood since its inception in 1991, this casual eatery is known for its fried seafood dishes, including shrimp, flounder, scallops, catfish, oysters, trout, clam strips, and whitefish. 

Each platter is accompanied by hushpuppies, cole slaw, and home fries. While this Raleigh seafood restaurant has historically emphasized local sourcing, in recent years, some menu items may not be from North Carolina due to sourcing challenges. Open from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM Sunday through Tuesday and 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM from Wednesday to Saturday.

321 Coffee

We’re fans of this female-run coffee shop, which has three locations in Raleigh. It’s not just coffee, but coffee with a purpose – 321 Coffee employ 50+ employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Their Farmer’s Market location is their flagship location, and is where you can pick up a decent cup of coffee and peruse a small selection of baked goods. They also have specialty coffees and seasonal coffees – check out their Fall drinks options! Open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM from Wednesday to Friday and from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday.

The Market Bakery

The Market Bakery is a beloved local spot in the Market Shoppe, known for its warm array of freshly baked goods, including artisan breads, pastries, and seasonal treats. We have heard people rave about the cinnamon rolls and homemade apple pies. They also have freshly squeezed lemonade, which is perfect on a hot summer’s day.

Operating hours are typically from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Saturday, though do check the Facebook page before going for up-to-date times.

Details:

• Website: www.ncagr.gov
• Address: 1201 Agriculture St, Raleigh
• Hours: Monday – Saturday 5 am – 7 pm, Sunday 8 am – 5 pm
• Parking: Free on-site parking available. 

Here are more farmers markets in Raleigh to enjoy. You may want to visit Dorothea Dix Park next door while you’re here. And see this fun half day adventure we had riding the GoRaleigh bus to the markets and then to nearby Trophy Brewing for a drink after.