Tag Archive for: #ncstatefarmersmarket

NC State Farmers Market to host annual Blueberry Day June 15

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RALEIGH — The State Farmers Market will celebrate its annual Blueberry Day Thursday, June 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Guests can enjoy free samples of blueberry cobbler topped with vanilla ice cream prepared by the State Farmers Market Restaurant. In addition, there will be plenty of recipes and the opportunity to purchase fresh local blueberries.

Blueberry Day will be held in the event area, which is located between the N.C. Seafood Restaurant and the garden section of the Farmers building. The event is sponsored by the N.C. Blueberry Council, the State Farmers Market Restaurant, the State Farmers Market and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

North Carolina is the sixth-largest producer of blueberries in the nation, yielding nearly 50 million pounds in 2016, with about 8,000 acres of blueberries grown in the state.

The State Farmers Market is one of four state-operated farmers markets located across North Carolina. The market offers seasonal produce, fresh meats and seafood, and a large variety of specialty products seven days a week. The market is also home to Market Imports, Super-Sod and three restaurants. More information about Blueberry Day and other special events is available at www.statefarmersmarket.org.

N.C. greenhouse tomatoes ready for harvest

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RALEIGH – Local field-grown tomatoes are not quite ready, but greenhouse tomatoes are now available for N.C. consumers.

Richard Whitaker, owner of Whitaker Farms in Climax, has been picking greenhouse tomatoes since late March. His farm grows tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce in the greenhouse, but also grows field tomatoes, strawberries and other vegetables. Whitaker says the benefit of growing in a greenhouse is being able to extend the season.

“We’re able to pick from March until July,” said Whitaker, first vice president of the N.C. Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association. “We’ve even had some years where we were able to keep picking greenhouse tomatoes until Christmas.”

Tomatoes account for about 90 percent of the state’s greenhouse vegetables, according to the association. Greenhouse vegetable growers also produce cucumbers, lettuces and peppers.

The association, in partnership with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, will host two Greenhouse Vegetable Days: April 20 at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh and April 21 at the Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers Market in Colfax. At each event, visitors can enjoy a free tomato sandwich made with greenhouse tomatoes from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To find local greenhouse growers near you, go to www.ncgreenhouse.org.