Calling all farmers market shoppers in downtown Raleigh

The Toyota Farm to Table event actually turned out to be the best day we've had as a produce vendor at the Downtown Market so far this season.  Notwithstanding the small plates loaded with local food that many of the visitors were carrying around (limiting their ability to load up with produce as well), many of our regulars showed up and we had a chance to show off our wares to a lot of new faces.

Having said that, what we earn at the Downtown and at the North Hills Saturday Market where we also sell, is still barely enough to cover our payroll (two NC State horticulture students), much less the other costs of production.  There is always unsold produce, much of which will not keep until the next market and we end up donating to the local food charities.

The local markets are a great idea and we think they are the best way to give people choice and quality in their food as well as a chance to meet the farmers who grow it.  But there is obviously still a lot of education that needs to be done to overcome the inertia: "it's too hard to park downtown"; "the produce won't keep until I get home"; "I'm too busy to cook"; "my kids don't like vegetables".

We think events like Farm to Table need to become a regular feature of local markets  and the Downtown Market is emerging as a leader in that regard.  Far from failing, we think the market is growing, perhaps not a fast as we'd like, but habits don't change overnight. 

Bob Kellam and Susan Wyatt

 Kellam-Wyatt Farm   

The Toyota event was the first I have ever been to the downtown Farmer's Market.  It was hot, crowded, hard to park, and did I mention hot?  I brought my baby with me and we only stayed for about 15 minutes as I was scared of him overheating.  I didn't want to take time to buy anything although the produce looked good.  Perhaps they could consider providing shaded areas.

I live in North Raleigh so the downtown market is not convenient to me, I would not go again.  I guess the closest market to me is either 5 Points (more parking issues) or North Hills, which are both also very small.  I'd love to buy local produce more often but with an infant it is too difficult to go out of my way to these markets.  Someone should put together a drive through concept!  It wouldn't be hard to accomplish!

-Mandy

I am a vendor at the Raleigh Downtown Market and the banner on the front page of The N&O makes an unfair statement about the market. I am the owner of Sunday Morning Farm and I sell herb plants, herbal soaps and jellies. I have been extremely pleased with the new market and the city employees associated with this market have worked very hard to make it a success. Perhaps the produce person who only sold $70 worth of produce is the one 'in trouble' and not the entire market. As market vendors, we know that some days are slower than others and some days are better than others. That's the nature of the beast. However, having been a vendor at the Moore Square Market for the 2009 season, I can say this: the Raleigh Downtown Market is much, much better not only with the weekly events planned, but the crowds are much larger and seem to be more eager to learn about my products and to purchase them. In regard to the Toyota event, it not only proved to be an educational venue for consumers, but this company featured produce from many of our farmers for the cooking demonstrations held that day.  In addition, my farm supplied the 500 herbs that were given away as a promotion, so, Andrea, many of us benefited financially from this event. I am so proud to be a part of the Raleigh Downtown Market and it is very rewarding to watch my customer base grow with this venue. I look forward to many more successful seasons with this market!

Being a new market, it takes time to be a beacon for all the potential customers in the area. The organizers have done a good job and I think that many customers enjoy their Wednesday walk down market street. The music is great!

I sell at the market and believe that, with time it will become a very busy market. I think it should be held more than once a week. Saturday mornings are out as that is the time all Farmers Markets are open. I think that at least a second market-time should be started for the many who can't make Wednesday lunch hour. A 4.30 to 8.30 evening market where customers can buy on their way home, hopefully once and then even twice a week,

It surprises me how little so many Americans know about the low quality food they buy in supermarkets. The public have certainly been well brainwashed into thinking cheap is better. It's fine to get a can of coke a few cents cheaper at one store than another, but not fresh food like meat. To me cheap food is extremely dangerous food and I certainly won't feed it to my kids. That's why I started my farm in the first place!

Its time the public started learning about what they eat, the quality of it and in many cases the chemicals in the processing of the food they are more than happy to feed their families. Low in nutrition and high in steroids and antibiotics. Processed foods, I believe, is weakening the only strong-point this country has left; its people!

All the fresh produce at the Fayetteville Street Farmers Market is local, of the highest quality and I'm happy to feed my family from the produce vendors around me.

Raleigh, Wake UP!

Honestly, this should be a Saturday market. Mid week and the location is great - if you're working downtown. But where to put refrigerated or frozen goods till the end of the day - then on to home is not optimal for a workday.

Why not change the day so that many more can come? So many of us have a real challenge to get there mid-week, and have to go to another market to fit into our busy schedule on weekends.

Just a thought, I'd like to hear what the farmer's and producers there think?

I filled out the survey they took last year & recommended either earlier or later in the day (which would help with the refrigeration issue). As someone who lives downtown but works elsewhere, I would love to support this FM but the timing is impossible for me. I don't know what the results of the survey told them but maybe they should try a different time of day before bailing completely?

I missed the Toyata event, but follow Farmers Markets.  I am curious, was the $70 sale by the farmer a statistically significant difference from ongoing week sales?

I would love to go to this farmer's market, but unfortunately I work in Morrisville so there is no way that I could make it there & back and shop during my lunch hour - I wish I could, though!  I end up doing all my farmer's market shopping on the weekends.