Wednesdays at Carrboro Farmers’ Market open for summer

The Carrboro Farmers’ Market is gearing up to start its summer hours and expanded selection of produce in the coming week.

“Summer is definitely the biggest time of the year,” Assistant Manager Margaret Krome-Lukens said.

Market Manager Erin Jobe said farmers make the majority of their income during the peak season, which is from April until October. During that time, the market is open from 7 a.m. until noon on Saturdays.

Krome-Lukens said the Wednesday market, which is only available during the peak season, will start on April 8 and last from 3 to 6 p.m.

To celebrate the beginning of the Wednesday market, there will be food trucks from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on April 8, and the market will offer live music and beer sales.

During the peak summer season, vendors will provide more choices of vegetables, fruits and crops than during the winter season, Jobe said.

Krome-Lukens said although a larger variety of food is available in the summer, different seasons grow different vegetables and crops.

“There is no single time of the year when you can get every single thing that grows in Carolina,” she said.

As the market did in previous years, it is planning various events in April for residents and students, Jobe said.

“The younger generation — those are future loyal shoppers,” Jobe said. “We wanted to do something to specifically recognize our student population in the area.”

The market will provide dorm-friendly recipe samplings for students on April 11, which is Student Appreciation Day.

Without full kitchens in the dorms, students are discouraged from shopping at farmers’ markets, Krome-Lukens said.

“That’s why we are doing this — to really show folks that you can shop at the market as well as live in the dorms,” she said.

Blaine Milton, a UNC student, said although she doesn’t go to the Carrboro Farmers’ Market because she doesn’t have a car, she used to go to the farmers’ market in her hometown with her friends.

“I think it’s important to get to know who your neighbors are,” she said. “It’s a really good community relations activity because everyone can get to know what’s going on and interacting. You can spread news that way.”

Jobe said the market holds annual summer events because she wants to showcase what their vendors have and educate people about using unpopular ingredients.

The events are also meeting the needs of the residents — they are family-friendly and provide free samples.

Jobe said the Carrboro Farmers’ Market is important for the community because it supports local farmers and provides fresh local food for residents.

“It has a huge economic impact on the local community,” she said.

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