Humble Umbel, a true farm incubator success story based at the W.C. Breeze Farm Incubator in Hurdle Mills, is a regular vendor at the Chapel Hill Farmers’ Market.

National Farmers’ Market Week, celebrated from August 3-9, brought communities together across the nation, and Orange County was no exception. As the County Extension Director, I had the privilege of visiting our three incredible Orange County markets—Eno River, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill—along with the Durham Farmers’ Market. My visits were arranged by Chef Hadassah Patterson, program coordinator of Triangle Double Bucks, a market collaborative between 7 markets in the Triangle. Farmers’ markets are not just places to shop; they are vital cultural institutions and economic hubs.

Combined, our three Orange County markets provide a direct sales outlet for dozens of local farms and small businesses. They attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, with special events like “Tomato Day” proving to be some of the most popular. It’s a great reminder to check their schedules so you don’t miss out on seasonal highlights.

Carrboro Farmers’ Market is led by an exceptional staff including Market Manager Maggie Funkhouser and Assistant Manager Chloe Sherer. Sherer is stepping into the Manager role this August as Funkhouser returns to college to pursue an advanced degree.

A key principle of these markets is their commitment to locality. All three set distance parameters for their members and guest vendors, ensuring that the products sold are truly local. Furthermore, many markets have strict rules against reselling, requiring that vendors only sell what they have personally produced. This dedication to local sourcing is what makes our markets so special. A recent 2024 survey at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market, for example, found the average vendor’s “food miles” to be an impressive 19 miles—a testament to just how fresh and local these goods are.

Our Farmers’ Markets enjoy broad community support. It was an honor to tour Eno River Farmers’ Market with State Representative Renée Price. Our tour was conducted by Market Manager Corly Jones who has led the market for over a decade.

Farmers’ markets also serve as an invaluable location for young food entrepreneurs, many of whom are based at the Piedmont Food Processing Center in Hillsborough. These markets provide them with a platform to sell their products, refine their business skills, and connect directly with their community who can provide them feedback on their products.

During my visits, I was inspired by the numerous stories about the impact of the Double Bucks program. This nutrition incentive program, which our Orange County markets are a part of, provides a dollar-for-dollar match for SNAP/EBT and NC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (both WIC FMNP and Seniors FMNP) benefits. This empowers low-income individuals and families to purchase nutritious, locally sourced food. Participants can use Double Bucks on any SNAP-eligible item, including meat and even vegetable plants for home gardens. Carrboro Farmers’ Market, one of the state’s oldest and most respected, was an early adopter of the program. In 2024 alone, $65,788 in Double Bucks were redeemed at that one location. Today, all three Orange County markets participate, and the program continues to grow thanks to the support of donors, market members, and community partners. Check out our page on Using SNAP Benefits at the Farmers’ Markets for further insight into how you can maximize your SNAP/FNS benefits at our local markets.

I kicked off my tour of markets at the Durham Farmers’ Market where several farms and food entrepreneurs from Orange County sell on a regular basis.

Our Orange County Farmers’ Markets are leaders in compost and food waste diversion, serving as sites to drop off food waste for composting in partnership with Orange County Solid Waste. Markets have also served as locations for farmers and consumers to donate excess food to support hunger relief efforts. PORCH Hillsborough, a local nonprofit serving communities in Northern Orange County, collects donations monthly at Eno River Farmers’ Market, for example, and uses what is donated to stock local food pantries.

Chapel Hill Farmers’ Market is an institution in that city, bringing farmers to the heart of Chapel Hill to connect consumers with nutritious, local food! It was an honor to meet Market Manager Kate Underhill who has also been serving as the market staff leader for many years! My daughter and I had the opportunity to pull the winning tickets for the Farmers Market Week giveaway!

What I most enjoyed was the vibrant atmosphere at every market. With live music, activities for children, and the buzz of community engagement, these are truly places where farmers and consumers come together to celebrate the local harvest. You can often find community partners such as our Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers at the markets, ready to answer your gardening questions and share information about their programs.

Each market operates on Saturdays and often has additional hours during the week depending on the time of year. I encourage you to check their websites and social media accounts and make a visit to a farmers’ market part of your routine. It’s an experience that won’t disappoint, and you’ll feel great knowing that every purchase supports local farmers and strengthens our community’s economy.