Story & photos by Hal Goodtree.

Apex, NC – Wedged in behind the confluence of Davis Drive and Salem Church Road is a small farm known as DJ’s Berry Patch. Recently, they decided to sell fresh produce to the public seven days a week.

Cary’s Everyday Farm Stand

The address is Apex, but it’s on this side of 64 and a must-visit for people who love fresh food in Western Cary.

Summer fruits and vegetables were in abundance when I visited. Displays overflowed with nature’s bounty.

There were watermelons and cantaloupes, summer squash and okra. Baskets of peaches, nectarines and plums.

Eight Kinds of Tomatoes

But what really caught my eye were the tomatoes. Tables groaned beneath the mounds of fresh produce.

I counted eight varieties of fresh, local, field-grown tomatoes on my visit:

• Roma
• Carolina Gold
• Heirloom
• Mortgage Lifter
• Mountain Spring
• German Johnson
• Grape Tomatoes
• Green Tomatoes

Eat Healthy, Eat Local

DJ’s is now open 7 days a week. They’re right off Old Apex Road and just around the corner from Davis Drive on Salem Church Road.

Make it a point to stop by, support the town’s precious farm economy and get yourself something good to eat.

DJ’s Berry Patch
1223 Salem Church Road
Apex, NC 27523

(919) 600-4020
info@DJsBerryPatch.com

Summer Hours

Monday – Saturday
9:00 am – 6:30 pm

Sunday
12:00 pm – 6:30 pm

News on CaryCitizen is sponsored by The Umstead Hotel and Spa.

Story & photos by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – Supermarkets are a great convenience. One might say a boon to a mobile society.

But there’s nothing like farm-fresh produce toward the end of June in the great State of North Carolina.

Cary Downtown Farmers Market

Cucumbers were in abundance at the Downtown market, along with pale yellow banana peppers and early potatoes. Field-ripened tomatoes were a deep red alongside green mountains of string beans. The market also had live saxophone music and an impressive variety of exotic baked goods this week.

Never been? It’s in the Chatham Square shopping center near the corner of East Chatham and Maynard.

The Downtown Farmers Market is also open on Tuesday afternoons from 3:00 – 6:00 so you can always have farm-fresh fruits and vegetables. From the farmer herself.

Western Wake Farmers Market

The crowds were thick as June flies at the WWFM. Summer squash, eggplants, elephant garlic and field grown tomatoes all looked good.

The German baker had her deadly cheese bread. Some folks from American Brewmaster were demonstrating homebrewing (and passing out samples). Benjamin Vineyards & Winery, an outfit near Chapel Hill, offered tastings of their wines, part of the blossoming NC wine industry.

There was meat, fish, fresh flowers and garden herbs in small pots. Michael George Gonzalez was tearing it up on the acoustic guitar.

The Western Wake Farmers Market is on Morrisville-Carpenter Rd. just west of Davis Drive. It’s open 8-12 every Saturday until November.

Cary, N.C. – The Western Wake Farmers’ Market is sponsoring FRESH: A Celebration of Local Harvest on Fri., May 21, 6-8 p.m. at The Umstead Hotel & Spa.

This fundraiser will showcase the flavor and freshness of seasonal produce and local foods with Herons Executive Chef Scott Crawford’s culinary excellence. Tickets are available at www.WesternWakeFarmersMarket.org. You can also buy them on Saturday mornings at the market.

The FRESH fundraiser features the artfully prepared, seasonal cuisine of Executive Chef Scott Crawford accompanied by complimentary cocktails, wine and beer. Tickets are $60 per person for the standing reception, which includes drinks, hors d’oeuvres, carving station, specialty cheese and bread display, seafood presentation, and an assortment of desserts with seasonal fruit.

Visit with farmers and artisans from the market while savoring the fruits of their labors and listening to the sultry vocals of guitarist and songwriter Michael George Gonzalez .  Learn more about how and why bringing local foods to Western Wake County matters to them.

The fundraiser will also feature a silent auction of services, gift baskets and other items from businesses in the community.  Proceeds of the fundraiser and auction will support the farmers’ market and its educational initiatives related to local, healthful eating.  Any businesses that wish to donate to the auction or the market itself, should contact Lisa Flanagan .

Attire is business casual, and complimentary valet parking is available.  For guests who would like to enjoy the comforts of this luxurious Forbes Five Star hotel and spa on the evening of May 21, the Umstead is offering a special rate of $179. Call 919-447-4050 and mention booking code WEST0510 for this rate.

The Western Wake Farmers’ Market is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. The market’s mission is for all people in our community to become educated about and benefit from locally grown food. The aim is to help all walks of life, from the farmers to the local community members to those less fortunate who might need assistance through the local food bank. The WWFM partners with the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle in recovering nutritious, perishable foods for the hungry in our area.

Thanks to Michele McKinley for this story.

Cary, NC – Here at CaryCitizen world headquarters, the spring lettuce crop is in its full glory.

We’re picking young buttercrunch, romain and even oak leaf. The parsley is the size of a small shrub and the garlic is setting up nicely for harvest in June.

Since it’s Earth Day, we wanted to know: are you growing anything to eat in your garden? What looks good right now?

Tell us about it in the comments or post a picture on our Facebook page or on Flickr.

Cary, NC – I went to the farmers market on Saturday to take a few pictures. I ended up with two bags of groceries.

The truth is, I can’t resist a bargain, or something unusual, especially when it comes to food. Take for example, this English cucumber (pictured with some organic eggs mentioned below):

Fresh from the farm, firm, deep green and delicious. Honestly, I’d never seen an English cucumber look this good. The ones in the supermarket look they came over from England on a boat. Maybe the Mayflower.

My friend Heather from Smith’s Farm had a bounty of ripe strawberries in buckets, containers and flats. She also had fresh spring onions. I made spring onion soup, kind of  like North Carolina meets France. In your mouth.

The cupcake lady (Tammy) had some unbelievably attractive red velvet mini-cakes. She also had mango cupcakes but was sold out of the kiwi cupcakes when I rolled out of bed at 10.

I also found organic eggs (pictured above – love the variety of colors – some have a bluish cast to go with the browns and whites), fresh cabbage and kale, fully ripe hot house tomatoes, bread from La Farm, cheeses, meats… seriously, I couldn’t carry another bag.

Just saying – if you want freshness and variety in your foods, make it a point to stop by one of Cary’s two farmers markets on Saturday.

Cary Farmers Market

Western Wake Farmers Market

Map of Farm Markets in Cary
View Farm Markets in Cary in a larger map

Cary, NC – The air was mild and sweet for opening day of Cary’s two Farmers Markets. Yes, we are a rich town, with fresh-from-the-farm produce on sale in two locations every Saturday from April until November.

Cary Farmers Market
744 E. Chatham Road

Western Wake Farmers Market
1226 Morrisville- Carpenter Rd.

Early produce was plentiful including organic peppers, spring onions, collards tops, yams and much more.

A steady crowd traded cash for food at both locations. Mayor Harold Weinbrecht made an appearance at the markets and there was musical entertainment, face painting and other diversions for young and old.

Here are a few pictures from opening day at the markets.

The season has just begun, so plan on stopping by next week so that more farmers, bakers, artists and crafters are encouraged to bring their wares to our fair town.

Who doesn’t need fresh vegetables?

CaryCitizen photos by Brenda Larson & Hal Goodtree. You can also see this slide show on Flickr..

Cary, NC – Since 1992, The Cary Farmers’ Market Downtown has been bringing farm-fresh food and local crafts to the community.

Cary, NC- The Western Wake Farmer’s Market welcomes Spring  on Saturday, April 3 when they return for their second season.

Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht will be on hand with opening remarks at 10am. The Market is located near Carpenter Village at 1226 Morrisville- Carpenter Rd. in Cary.

Chef Ricky in the House

The chef from Giorgio’s restaurant, Ricky Moore, will be providing samples of his signature Goat Cheese Lavender Fritter in the Education tent. There will also be fun activities and face painting for the kids. The market features a guest educator each week and live, family-friendly music.

Fresh From the Farm

The WWFM will be open 34 Saturdays, through November 20, rain or shine, to provide area residents a place to get locally grown and crafted foods.

Market offerings include farm-fresh seasonal produce, grass-fed meats, North Carolina seafood, eggs, artisan breads and desserts, coffee, flowers, wine, natural cleaning products, jewelry and more.

Gardeners will be able to purchase seedlings, including heirloom varieties, for their gardens at home.

CaryCitizen photo by Hal Goodtree

Growers Only

The Western Wake Farmers’ Market is a grower’s only/producer’s only market, which means all the vendors either grew or hand-crafted their products and have not purchased these goods elsewhere to re-sell them. All vendors are located within 125 miles of the marketplace to ensure access to local, fresh foods.

Last year the market proved to be a much needed addition to this area, serving folks in the Western edge of Cary and beyond. With it’s emphasis on organic and locally grown produce, there is nothing quite like it nearby. Check their website for a complete schedule of vendors and entertainment featured each weekend.

Also of Note

Psst! I have it on authority that members from the band SHMaK will be playing on opening day.

For other events happening around Cary, check out the CaryCitizen Calendar. And if you’d like to add an event of your own, please email Lindsey Chester.

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The Calendar is sponsored by The Grove School of Cary.

Cary, NC – Please join Lee Calhoun as he demonstrates grafting, planting and maintenance techniques for fruiting trees and vines that can be grown in our region.

You will learn by doing, so come prepared with gloves and boots and help install apple and pear trees and grape vines in the gardens of the Cary Senior Center in Bond Park, this Saturday, March 20th from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Lee Calhoun Jr., author of “Old Southern Apples”, will conduct an informational session and workday at the Cary Senior Center Garden. Mr. Calhoun has spent years tracking down heirloom apple trees all over the South.  He has been finding and propagating heirloom varieties of apples that were common throughout the rural South and endanger of disappearing altogether. He now grows them in his own orchard in Pittsboro.

Listen to Mr. Calhoun as he tells his stories about finding old Southern apples on farms all over Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. Years ago, apples were the staple of the Southern diet and every farm had apple trees.  The large variety provided fruit from June to November. Learn more about how apple trees feed us, preserve our heritage and tell us stories of a bygone era.

Registration is required; please contact the Spruce Coordinator to sign up at (919) 469-4301 or heather.morell@townofcary.org

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This issue of CaryCitizen is sponsored by FrantzForHouse.org.

Soggy fields in and around Cary are being prepped for Spring

Cary, N. C. – Michele McKinley of the Western Wake Farmers Market contacted the CaryCitizen this week to give us an update on the upcoming season for the WWFM. Maybe it was an answer to my prayers to take me away from the cold and rain and snow.

The market will reopen for its second season on Saturday, April 3.   Said Market Manager Kim Hunter, “Even though the market has been closed for the winter, we are busy working with vendors and community partners to make our market even better this year.”  Here’s a peek at some of the work behind the scenes to prepare for the market’s spring opening.

The Vendors

Farmers across North Carolina are planning their spring and summer crops. Strawberry plants have been in ground for several months, and farmers are nurturing seedlings in their greenhouses as they prepare for spring planting.  Meanwhile, market organizers are reviewing vendor applications and visiting vendors at their farms and businesses.

If there are any vendors that you would like to see at the WWFM, Michele tells us that you should contact the market by sending an email to  info@WesternWakeFarmersMarket.org.

Helping the Hungry

Last year, market vendors generously donated produce and more to the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, which stopped by the market each week at closing time to pick up donations. The Food Shuttle then made deliveries to area food pantries and community centers to prepare the perishable foods for the hungry.

For the 2010 season, market organizers hope to expand giving through a new Farmer FoodShare Program, modeled after one volunteer’s efforts at the Carrboro Farmers Market last year. This program helps shoppers get involved each week by purchasing extra produce, eggs, breads, etc. and dropping them off at the market’s Donation Station. The market will continue to partner with the Food Shuttle to deliver these foods to those in need.

In addition, the WWFM has applied to the Leaflight Foundation’s 21^st Century Farmers’ Market, which would allow the farmers’ market to process EBT (electronic benefits transfer), credit and debit transactions. The EBT replaces the paper food stamps of years ago and allows qualified recipients to shop for healthy, fresh foods at the market. Other shoppers reap the benefit of being able to use a credit or debit card at the market, rather than just cash and checks.

“The 21^st Century Farmers’ Market program is such a great way to help local farmers and those who need access to healthy foods, rather than processed, boxed and canned foods,” said WWFM President Juliann Zoetmulder. “Supporting small family farms and providing access to local foods for all people is really important to the farmers’ market board members. We hope to be accepted for the program this spring but will let everyone know when that happens.”

Education and Communications

The farmers’ market continues to update its web site, www.WesternWakeFarmersMarket.org, with information on eating local.

In addition to news about local food events and policy, the market strives to highlight national discussion about the local food movement, sustainability and the importance of small farms and make that relevant on a local level here in Western Wake County. Educating people about eating local is one of the WWFM’s goals.

Market organizers also are working to enhance the web site with more vendor information, archiving, photos and recipes before the market opens. In the meantime, Cary citizens may sign up for the WWFM’s free e-newsletter, Western Wake Eats, for more market and local food news.

Area Sponsorship Grows

The staff at The Umstead Hotel and Spa and Herons are also working closely with the WWFM to help raise funds for the upcoming season.

The Umstead, a WWFM sponsor, will host a fundraiser showcasing local foods from market vendors on Friday, May 21, 6-8 pm.  Details are still in the works, but tickets will be on sale for this special event that celebrates seasonal, local produce as well as local meats, breads, cheese and other products from farmers’ market vendors.

Guests will have a great opportunity to visit with our farmers and artisans and learn more about how and why they farm and do business the way they do, plus enjoy local music and great food at the beautiful Umstead Hotel.  Whole Foods Market of Cary and Great Harvest Bread Co. also are lending their support to the market with donations and fundraising opportunities this spring and summer.

“Support from businesses around town has been so essential to building the sense of community around the market and furthering its mission,” Zoetmulder said. “We’ve posted information on sponsorship levels and benefits for the 2010 season at our web site and look forward to partnering with more local businesses that share our passion for local food access, hunger prevention and education.”

Mark Your Calendar:  April 3

Starting April 3, the market will be open every Saturday through November 20, rain or shine, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht will join vendors on opening day.

Spring is just around the corner!

With special thanks to Michele McKinley for the update and the photos.

Farmers' market vendors hoop houses are used to nurture seeds before the weather warms