OPEN YEAR ROUND
Saturdays: 8am-12pm
Tuesdays: 3:30pm-6:30pm (May-September)
1225 Morrisville Carpenter Rd., Cary
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Whole Foods Market Beer and BBQ Festival
Join Whole Foods Market of Cary and Western Wake Farmers' Market for the 3rd annual Beer and BBQ Festival at the Waverly Place Shopping Center. Live music, tasty BBQ and a wide selection of delicious beers to sample. $5 for 7 beer tasting tickets and $10 for unlimited tastings. Enjoy pulled pork BBQ, Cole slaw and a roll for $7. Proceeds from the BBQ benefit the Western Wake Farmers Market.
21st Amendment (San Francisco, CA), Aviator (Fuquay-Varina, NC), Big Boss (Raleigh, NC), Brouwerij Van Steenberge (Belgium), Brunehaut (Belgium), Carolina Brewery (Pittsboro, NC), Carolina Brewing Company (Holly Springs, NC), Dark Horse Brewing (Marshall, MI), Duck Rabbit (Farmville, NC), Foggy Ridge Cider (Dugspur, VA), Foothills (Winston-Salem, NC), Hitachino (Japan), LoneRider (Raleigh, NC), New Belgium (Fort Collins, CO), Red Oak (Whitsett, NC), Rogue (Portland, OR), Roth (Raleigh, NC), Samuel Adams (Boston, MA), Thistly Cross Cider (Scotland), Triangle (Durham, NC).
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Study Compares Prices at Farmers' Markets and Supermarkets
We're all too familiar with the accepted gospel: Only well-heeled food snobs can afford the exorbitant prices charged for those attractively displayed baby greens and heirloom tomatoes at farmers' markets, while those who can't afford such greener-than-thou food-purchasing decisions must paw through limp broccoli, wilted lettuce, and tennis-ball tomatoes at supermarket produce departments. It may come as a surprise that there has been virtually no formal studies to support this widely accepted contention.
A report released by Jake Robert Claro, a graduate student at Bard College's Center for Environmental Policy who did the study for the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, found that prices at farmers' markets were lower for many conventionally produced grocery items than they were at supermarkets. For organic items, farmers' markets beat grocery stores every time hands down.
Claro organized a five-member team that collected price information from 10 farmers' markets and 10 conventional supermarkets serving the same towns in Vermont during the summer of 2010. The group compared costs for a dozen items: blueberries, cantaloupe, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggs, bell peppers, lettuce, potatoes, peas, string beans, squash, and tomatoes.
Non-organic farmers' market cantaloupe, cucumbers, lettuce, and peas were better buys than their supermarket counterparts. With the exception of eggs and potatoes, the other items surveyed were between 10 and 20 percent more expensive. Conventional eggs were 43 percent more expensive and potatoes 58 percent more expensive-differences that Claro said were expected, given the economies of scale industrial-sized egg and potato producers enjoy.
Astoundingly, organic items at farmer's markets were nearly 40 percent cheaper than they were at neighboring supermarkets. Claro's study reinforces the findings of other groups looking into pricing at farmers' markets. In 2007, Stacey Jones, an economics professor at the University of Seattle, had her students compare costs of 15 items at a farmers' market and a nearby supermarket. The farmers' market was slightly less expensive. The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture compared prices of conventional food in four Iowa cities and found that the farmers' markets' prices were often equal to or lower than those at grocery stores.
"It's promising to see that regardless of the region, these studies are holding up," said Claro. "This trend is going to grow stronger. Maybe that will put the elitist perception to rest."
To read the full report, click here!
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Fresh At the Market... Corn!
What food is more synonymous with summer than freshly picked corn on the cob? Corn grows in "ears," each of which is covered in rows of kernels that are then protected by the silk-like threads called "corn silk" and encased in a husk. Although we often associate corn with the color yellow, it actually comes in host of different varieties featuring an array of different colors, including red, pink, black, purple, and blue.
How to Select: Cho ose ears with green husks, fresh silks and tight rows of kernels.
How to Store: Refrigerate corn with husks on for use as soon as possible or within 1-2 days.
Corn is low in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol, as well as sodium. It's also a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, thiamin and folate. Approximately 82 percent of the calories in this food are from carbohydrates.
Quick Serving Ideas:
- Eat corn on the cob either just as is or seasoned with a little butter, olive oil or flaxseed oil, salt and pepper, nutritional yeast or any other herbs or spices you enjoy.
- Saut� cooked corn with green chilies and onions. Served hot, this makes a wonderful side dish.
- Enjoy a cold salad with an ancient Incan influence by combining cooked corn kernels, quinoa, tomatoes, green peppers and red kidney beans.
- Add corn kernels and diced tomatoes to guacamole to give it extra zing.
- Adding corn to soup, whether it chili or chowder, enhances the soup's hardiness, let alone its nutritional profile.
Did you Know?
An ear of corn averages 800 kernels in 16 rows.
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WWFM T-Shirts for Sale!
Western Wa ke Farmers' Market t-shirts are now on sale at the market!
Adults (small, medium, large, extra-large) $20
Kids (small, medium, large) $15
All proceeds benefit the Western Wake Farmers' Market!
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Western Wake Farmers' Market is Hiring!
WWFM is looking for an Assistant Market Manager. Click here for a copy of the position description. Please contact Madison Whitley with an questions.
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Don't Forget CASH!
Vendors at WWFM mainly accept cash and check. Don't forget to stop by the ATM on your way to the market so you can stock up on all the goodies offered!
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What's Fresh This Week?
Visit our vendor page for a complete listing of WWFM vendors.
Annelore's German Bakery - Authentic German baked goods that are made in the most traditional way, by hand and from scratch
Chapel Hill Creamery - Cow's milk cheese, beef and sausage
Clayton Orchard - Peaches, corn, onions, seasonal produce - out this week
Coon Rock Farm - Sustainable family farm providing garden crops and pasture raised antibiotic and hormone free chicken, eggs, pigs, lamb and goat
DJ's Berry Patch - Seasonal produce - out this week
Dog Day Farm - Seasonal produce, plant seedlings, and flowers. This week BROCCOLI di CICCO (sweet, tender, DELICIOUS!); CARROTS, KOHLRABI, and GREENS; FRESH HERBS and DRIED PEPPERS
Fickle Creek Farm - Sustainable farm with minimal environmental impact
PORK - pasture-raised: loin chops,bacon pieces, jowl bacon, sweet-potato-liver pate, roasts (boneless loin, Boston butt, shoulder picnic), bulk sausage (country, chorizo, hot extra sage), link sausage (bratwurst, hot Italian, sweet Italian, breakfast fingerlinks, maple fingerlinks, smoked Polish, smoked bell pepper and onion), meaty neck bones, rendered lard, fatback, feet, organ meats. CHICKEN - Freedom Rangers, raised without confinement on pasture: whole broilers, breast (French and boneless skinless), leg quarters, wings, backs, necks, livers, hearts, feet. BEEF - 100% grass-fed Jersey: ground beef, roasts, short ribs, heart, tongue, liver, bones. DUCK - Muscovies, raised without confinement on pasture: wings, backs, necks, livers, feet.
PRODUCE - no pesticides, no herbicides, no synthetic fertilizers: carrots, spring chard, leeks, fresh onions, new potatoes, summer squash, zucchini. EGGS - from hens ranging freely on pasture: mixed size and jumbo.Garden Gems - Cut flowers and potted herbs Godwin Farm and Orchard - Seasonal produce Good Graces Homemade Dog Treats - Homemade dog treats Great Harvest Bread Co. - Hand crafted breads and baked goods made from our freshly milled wheat flour, sourced from family owned farms Hidden Springs - Seasonal produce Hillsborough Cheese Co. - Handcrafted small batch fresh and aged cheese from goat's milk and cow's milk Kalawi Farm - Peaches, homemade peach ice cream - out this week In Good Heart Farm (formerly Ben's Produce) - Seasonal, sustainably-grown, chemical-free produce La Farm Bakery - Artisan baked goods and breads Little River Ranch - Pasture-raised lamb, traditional pork, pasture-raised rabbit, pond-raised duck Locals Seafood- Fresh caught fish, shrimp, scallops, crab, oysters and more Jones Farm - Seasonal, pesticide-free produce Martin's Curry Rice - Handmade, prepackaged Indian foods Melina's Fresh Pasta - Handmade, fresh pasta, ravioli and pasta sauce MoonDance Soaps and More - Handcrafted cold process soaps and natural body care products - out this week Muddy Dog Roasting Company - Artisan coffee, specialty blended tea, grits and corn meal Rabbitpatch- hand-crafted baskets Redbud Farm, Certified Organic - Certified organic seasonal produce Sarah Cecilia Good Food Company - Fresh food prepared with local, sustainably grown ingredients Screech Owl Greenhouse - Greenhouse operation of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, hydroponic lettuces, and herbs ShellyMac Farm - Farm fresh eggs, seasonal produce, regular and honey sweetened jams and jellies from home grown and local fruits, and made from scratch baked goods Smith Angus Farm- Family-owned, 4th generation farm offering Black Angus beef Smith's Nursery - Family owned and operated nursery and produce farm. Strawberries and asparagus Spain Farm - Mushrooms, fresh cornish game hens, duck and goat meat, chicken and duck eggs Sweet T, a cakery - Handmade cakes, pies, cupcakes, quiche, breakfast biscuits and more Two Bridges Farm - Pasture-raised eggs, goat meat, chicken, seasonal produce Two Chicks Farm - New for the season the first of our dill pickles. In addition we have bread and butter pickles, pickled summer squash, mild pepper jelly, lacto-fermented products: sauerkraut, sauerruben, cortido, ginger carrots, carrot pickles, and kimchi. Most of our canned and fermented vegetables used are grown on our farm Two Pounds Mustard (guest vendor) - Homemade mustard Uncle Bob's Nuts - Roasted nuts, organic peanut butter, nutty salsa, and unique gourmet kettle corns Wrenn's Farm & Nursery - Seasonal produce, CORN (Devotion (white) and Obsession (bicolor))
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Area Businesses Support the Market
This market wouldn't be possible without the generous support of area businesses. Many thanks to these market sponsors! Please remember their support for our market as you shop, dine, and do business around town.
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| Upcoming Events |
Saturday, June 9th
Education: Chef Scott Crawford of Herons Restaurant at the Umstead Hotel and Spa
Music: No Worries
Saturday, June 16th MEAT DAY @ the Market!
Happy Father's Day!
Education: Carolina Farm Stewardship Association
Music: Thunder and Spice
Saturday, June 23rd Education: Yes! Solar Solutions
Music: CityFolk
Saturday, June 30th July 4th Celebration!
Education: West Regional Library
Music: Stevan Jackson
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Volunteer at the Farmers' Market!
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Volunteer!
WWFM is always in need of volunteers at Saturday markets and with special events. If you are interested in volunteering, click here. |
FARMER FOODSHARE
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Farmer Foodshare seeks to end hunger, malnutrition and poverty in North Carolina by providing fresh food to people at risk for hunger, while building healthy community food systems and enhancing community economic development.
Monetary or produce donations can be made at the WWFM Information Tent. All donations benefit the Interfaith Food Shuttle.
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Calling All Chefs and Educators!
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WWFM hosts the Learning @ the Market tent, which features local chefs and educators who are as passionate about local, healthy food as we are. Starting in April, chefs/educators are scheduled every Saturday 8AM - NOON.
If you are interested in being a educator or having a chef demonstration at the market, please e-mail Madison.
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Calling All Local Musicians!
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looking for local musicians to play Music @ the Market. Starting in April, musicians will be scheduled every Saturday 9:30AM - 11:30AM.
Any and all types of music are welcome. If you are interested in playing at the market, please e-mail Madison.
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Become a WWFM Sponsor!
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WWFM is seeking sponsors to further our community festivities and educational events, as well as support the development of a permanent structure for the market.
Please encourage local businesses you support to support the Western Wake Farmers' Market and become an integral part in our community. For information about the benefits of sponsorship and how to become a sponsor, click here.
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Passionate About Local Food? Interested in Fundraising and Marketing?
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As WWFM continues to search for a permanent home, we need your help! We are in need of individuals with fundraising, legal and/or marketing expertise who are as passionate about local, healthy food as we are! If you are interested in leaning a hand or know someone who could help us out, please e-mail Juliann Zoetmulder.
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