In Alamance County, North Carolina, there are many places to purchase local foods and produce. These places include co-ops, local farms, and farmer’s markets. Food sold in these places are grown locally, sustainably, and organically, therefore, the customers know where their vegetables and fruits are grown and where their poultry is raised.
Why buy Local?
Promoting the purchase and growth of local food is very important to any community, home grown fruits and vegetables are good for you and in addition are often much taster then anything you will buy in a mass supermarket. The same goes for farm raise livestock like poultry, pork, and cattle. Buying local meats and produce can reassure a shopper that the product is not only good for you it is sure to not have any additional hormones. Local farmers markets and grocery stores also carry produce that is harvested at their peek; seasonal fruits and greens are sure to be of the highest quality. Buying local ensures the happiness for the consumers and continued success for the producers.
Co-ops:
· Company Shops Market Co-op
The Company Shops Market Co-op is in downtown Burlington, North Carolina (268 E Front Street, Burlington, NC 27215, US). It is a full-service, cooperatively owned grocery store and café that serves local, sustainable, and organic grown and produced food. The co-op’s vision is to be a community-owned grocery store with food from local farms, but also a meeting place where customers know where their food is from. A variety of produce is sold in the co-op, such as grocery, dairy, deli and salad bar items, bakery, bulk foods, meat, beer and wine, and health and body care products. It is opened seven days a week from 7:30am to 9:00pm.
There are over 2,500 ownership shares, with these customers owning benefits such as 10% off the total purchase on the second Saturday of every month, the right to vote and run for Board positions, a Co-op newsletter, and a year-end Patronage Dividend.
Every Friday night there are concert series with free music, along with other family-friendly events throughout the year. From October 3rd to October 31st, there is a wine sale where all 26 wines are up to 45% off. On October 20th, all 26 wines can be tasted for $5 at the Wine Festival.
Farmer’s markets:
· Burlington Downtown Farmer’s Market
The Burlington Downtown Farmer’s Market is open every weekend starting in late April from 8am to noon. It is farmer-run and producers-only market where fresh produce, grass-fed meats, carnivorous plants, honey, baked food, natural home goods, and more are sold to the community. This farmer’s market is located in Burlington, North Carolina (268 E Front Street, Burlington, NC 27215).
Burlington Downtown Farmer's Market - Taken by Abby Moylan
· Burlington Farmers and Crafters Market
The Burlington Farmers and Crafters Market is opened Sundays from 1pm to 5pm during May through September. There are local farmers, who sell seasonal fruits and vegetables, and artisans, who sell handmade jewelry and painted items. This farmer’s market is located in Burlington, North Carolina (2389 Corporation Parkway, Burlington, NC 27215).
· Elon Community Church Farmers Market
The Elon Community Church Farmers Market runs Thursdays from 3:30pm to 6:30pm during April through October. This market is congregation supported where fruits, vegetables, meets, cheeses, eggs, and baked goods are sold, along with handmade, crafted items. It is located in Elon, North Carolina (Corner of Williamson Avenue and Haggart Avenue, Elon, NC 27244).
Fresh, local Food at Elon Community Church Farmer's Market - Taken by Abby Moylan
Elon Community Church Farmer's Market - Taken by Abby Moylan
· Gibsonville Market Day
The Gibsonville Market Day occurs from 8am to 4pm on Saturdays from May through November. Fresh produce and handmade crafts are sold with no admission fee. It is located in downtown Gibsonville.
· Iseley Farms Market
The Iseley Farms Market is Mondays through Saturdays from 8am to 6pm. Fruit and vegetables grown on the farm are sold to customers. It is located in Burlington, North Carolina (2960 Burch Bridge Road, Burlington, NC 27217).
· Kimrey Farms Market
The Kimrey Farms Market is opened Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3pm to 6pm, and Saturdays from 9am to 4pm. It sells freshly picked fruits and vegetables. It is located in Burlington, North Carolina (2960 Burch Bridge Road, Burlington NC 27217).
· Mebane Farmers Market
The Mebane Farmers Market is every Friday in June through August, from 7am to 11am. Organic and local produce including fruits, vegetables, meats, and bakery items are sold at the market. It is located in Mebane, North Carolina (W Clay Street, Mebane, NC 27302).
· The Urban Farmers Market
The Urban Farmers Market is every Thursday and Saturday year-round from 8am to 1pm. Eggs, herbs, plants, vegetables, flowers, cards, and local crafts are for sale. It is located in Mebane, North Carolina (204 W. Ruffin Street, Mebane, NC 27302).
Web Sources:
· http://companyshopsmarket.coop
· http://alamance.ces.ncsu.edu/2012/09/local-foods-news/
·http://alamance.ces.ncsu.edu/files/library/1/farmers%20markets%202012%20rev.pdf
· http://www.dynamomuseproductions.com/Company_Shops_Music.php
· http://www.burlingtonoutletvillage.com/?page_id=13
· http://www.localharvest.org/elon-community-church-farmers-market-M31134
· http://www.gibsonville.net/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={90E1D49C-A977-4656-8D1F-4BA3DEB6CC37}
· http://www.theurbanfarmersmarket.com
· http://www.localharvest.org/riverside-farm-M45552
