Tag: Seasonal Events

Celebrate moms & grads at the market on Saturday, May 11!

This is one of our favorite weekends of the year in Durham! Not only are we celebrating moms, but we also get to share in the joy of everyone who is graduating. Let’s face it, we wouldn’t be where we are today without the mother figures in our lives. Be sure to show them how much you love them with a local meal or gift from the farmers’ market. And if you’re lucky enough to celebrate a college grad this weekend, make sure you share the tastiest local treats with them.

Still looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift (in addition to the beautiful flowers, chocolate, cards, crafts and more that you’ll pick up at the market)? Farmer Foodshare has you covered! Help another mother in our Durham community provide fresh, local, nutritious food for their family. Nothing’s sweeter than that! Visit Farmer Foodshare’s booth (near the market’s Info Table) for more details and to make a donation in honor of your mother.

Also, don’t forget to join Blue Point Yoga Center for a fun morning of free yoga and community in Durham Central Park every Saturday. Class begins at 9:00 am and will take place in the lawn adjacent to the Brannan. Remember to bring your yoga mat and a water bottle. For more information, visit Durham Central Park’s website.

Finally, we hope you enjoyed the Protein Palooza last weekend! We want to give a huge THANK YOU to the local chefs that whipped up the delicious samples featuring meat and produce from our vendors:

Upcoming Events

Saturday, May 18

  • Join the team from West Point on the Eno for a flower arranging workshop at 8:30 am.

Saturday, May 25

Saturday, June 1

  • The 11th Annual Running of the Bulls 8K will take place around the market. If you’re an early shopper, give yourself extra time to get to Durham Central Park because several roads around downtown will be closed during the race.

Saturday, July 13

  • Mark your calendars for Tomato Day – it’s always one of the highlights of our year!

Want to learn more?

Read the rest of the May 10, 2019 newsletter or sign up to receive the next newsletter in your inbox.

Join us for our Protein Palooza on Saturday, May 4!

Celebrate the bounty of the Spring season at our first annual Protein Palooza! The event starts at 9 am and samples will be provided ’til the food runs out! Thanks to support from Got to Be NC Agriculture, we’re hosting an event to feature our incredible protein vendors, including:

Don’t forget to check out our additional protein vendors, including:

The following restaurants will be whipping up delicious samples featuring local meat and seasonal veggies:

This event is kid-friendly and we encourage everyone to sample the delicious meat and vegetarian side dishes available. For more information, check out the Facebook event. See you there!

Upcoming Events

Saturday, May 11

  • Celebrate Mother’s Day and Duke’s Graduation weekend!

Saturday, May 18

  • Join the team from West Point on the Eno for a flower arranging workshop at 8:30 am.

Saturday, May 25

Saturday, July 13

  • Mark your calendars for Tomato Day – it’s always one of the highlights of our year!

Want to learn more?

Read the rest of the May 3, 2019 newsletter or sign up to receive the next newsletter in your inbox.

Celebrate local, pasture-raised meat & seasonal veggies on May 4!

Celebrate the bounty of the Spring season at our first annual Protein Palooza! Thanks to support from Got to Be NC Agriculture, we’re hosting an event to feature our incredible protein vendors, including:

Don’t forget to check out our additional protein vendors, including:

The following restaurants will be whipping up delicious samples featuring local meat and seasonal veggies:

This event is kid-friendly and we encourage everyone to sample the delicious meat and vegetarian side dishes available. For more information, check out the Facebook event. See you there!

Kickoff our 20th anniversary season with a Family Field Day event on Saturday, April 20!

We’re excited to spend the holiday weekend together! You’ll find goodies for everybody’s Easter baskets at the market tomorrow. We’ve got you covered with tasty treats, handmade gifts, plants and much more. Make a date with your favorite food producers on Saturday morning and support your community while celebrating Easter and Passover.

We hope you’ll join us for our 20th anniversary kickoff celebration tomorrow! Chan Little from The 360 Approach will host a family field day on the lawn. There will be activities for kids and adults and everyone is encouraged to get involved in this fun event.

In an effort to become a zero-waste market, we’ll be handing out free canvas tote bags tomorrow. If you have extra reusable bags at home, please bring those and we’ll share them with customers as the season continues. We’re excited to share our other zero-waste initiatives as we all work together to take care of our Earth.

Please mark your calendars for a special event at Durham Central Park on Friday, April 26. Yoga Off East and SYNCStudio are hosting a yoga fundraiser to benefit the families affected by the gas explosion. 100% of the proceeds will contribute equally to the Lee family and other Durham residents and employees impacted by the accident. For more information, please visit their website.

Finally, we hope you’ve seen the Compost Now bins at the market. We’re happy to announce that waste recovery will be provided by Gather Green and Compost Now. If you enjoy a tasty treat at the market, be sure to compost any items you can in these containers.

Upcoming Events

Saturday, April 27

Saturday, April 27-28

Saturday, May 4

  • Celebrate local, pasture-raised meat at our chef cook-off hosted with Got to Be NC from 9:00-11:00 am.

Saturday, May 11

  • Celebrate Mother’s Day and Graduation at the market with a special children’s activity on the lawn.

Want to learn more?

Read the rest of the April 19, 2019 newsletter or sign up to receive the next newsletter in your inbox.

Pick-up fresh produce, meat, baked goods & more for your Thanksgiving feast on Tuesday from 3-5 pm!

We’re lucky to live in a region where we don’t have to stray too far from the traditional Thanksgiving dishes in order to use local, seasonal produce. Let’s talk about what our vendors are selling that could make an appearance on your holiday meal plates.

Considering North Carolina is the top producer of sweet potatoes in the United States, it makes sense to start with these delicious veggies. You can make both sweet potato casserole and mashed potatoes from your next market purchases. It’s easy to get excited about these rich, buttery dishes but don’t forget to eat your greens, which may be the hardest decision because there are so many kinds to choose from. Tomorrow you will come across bok choy, mustard greens, collard greens, kale, chard, spinach, and a variety of lettuces. Cook chard down with garlic or compete for the most vibrant salad on the block. Although it’s not a usual suspect, cabbage tastes great with any dressing and provides extra crunch, too. If you really want to cook outside of the box, cabbage stuffed with rice or meat will surely impress your family. While most of us will opt for a turkey, there is no shortage of sausage and other pasture-raised meats at the market. Last but not least, there is plenty of squash, pumpkin and other members of the gourd family. A classic pumpkin soup will pair well with anything on the table, otherwise toss any squash into the oven for an easy side dish. See how seasonal you can be this year and let us know how it goes!

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow for our special market.
And don’t forget we are closed on Saturday, November 24 and will re-open with our winter hours on Saturday, December 1 from 10 am-noon.

From all of us at the Durham Farmers’ Market, we are incredibly grateful for YOU and we wish you and your family a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Who will be at the market tomorrow?

Below is a list of confirmed vendors and there will probably be a few more additions. Be sure to swing by the market from 3-5 pm and pick up the best produce, meat, cheese, bread, pastries, flowers and more!

  • Bluebird Meadows
  • Boxcarr Handmade Cheese
  • Chapel Hill Creamery
  • Cilantro Artisan Foods
  • Elodie Farms
  • Fickle Creek Farm
  • Fullsteam Brewery
  • Harland’s Creek Farm
  • Haw River Mushrooms
  • Homebucha
  • Honeygirl Meadery
  • Hurtgen Meadows Farm
  • Loaf
  • Lyon Farms
  • Meadow Lane Farm
  • Melina’s Fresh Pasta
  • Salty Catch Seafood
  • Sarah’s House of Clay
  • South Wind Produce
  • The Spicy Hermit
  • Strong Arm Baking

Want to learn more?

Read the rest of the November 19, 2018 newsletter or sign up to receive the next newsletter in your inbox.

Stock up for your Thanksgiving feast at the market on Saturday, November 17!

As we reflect on another season at the market, our staff, volunteers and vendors are so grateful to the dedicated customers who make time for the market in their busy schedules and eat local year-round. We cannot thank you enough for your support this season and for making our Saturday mornings so much fun! We hope you find everything you need to cook your family and friends a perfect Thanksgiving meal at the market tomorrow.

As a reminder, we’ll host our annual Pre-Thanksgiving Holiday Market on Tuesday, November 20 from 3:00-5:00 pm. We’ll be closed on Saturday, November 24 so that our vendors can enjoy time with their loved ones. Then we’ll be back to kickoff the Saturday Winter Market on December 1 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm.

Finally, we want to give a big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our Silent Auction & Raffle fundraiser last weekend. In particular, we’re grateful to the wonderful local businesses who donated prizes to the event. We couldn’t have done it without you! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Want to learn more?

Read the rest of the November 16, 2018 newsletter or sign up to receive the next newsletter in your inbox.

Trade-in your Halloween candy & chat with dietitians on Saturday, November 3!

We hope you and your family had a very happy Halloween! THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our annual Costume Contest by voting for your favorite vendors. The fortune tellers from South Wind Produce won this year with their amazing costume and decorations (who didn’t love their puns for their produce?). Thanks to you, we raised $300 for our Double Bucks program, which matches SNAP/EBT transactions up to $10.

Speaking of Halloween – did you only have 3 trick-or-treaters this year? Are you desperately trying to get all that extra Halloween candy out of your house? Trade in your candy for farmers’ market gift certificates this Saturday! Look for Bull City Fit‘s Twix for Tomatoes booth on the market lawn. Candy will be re-purposed for holiday crafts at the Kidzu Children’s Museum.

Also, join the team from the Durham Chapel Hill Dietetic Association tomorrow. They’ll be whipping seasonal snacks on the market lawn from 8:00 am-12:00 pm. Be sure to taste their delicious samples and chat about your nutrition questions, particularly if you’re looking for tips on seasonal eating and meal prep.

We’re gearing up for our Silent Auction, which will take place at the market next Saturday, November 10. This event will raise funds for some of your favorite market programs, including the Sprouts Kid’s Club, Double Bucks, and more. Come prepared to complete your holiday shopping while also supporting the market that you love! Check out a quick summary of some of the items available below:

  • Signed basketballs from the coaches at Duke, NC State and UNC
  • Homemade gifts from our vendors, including cutting boards, crafts, baked goods, wreaths & much more!
  • Gift certificates to some of your favorite restaurants in Durham, as well as to Durham Farmers’ Market vendors

We’ll post a list of the items available on our website, including times for when the bidding will close. Continue checking the website for the latest information and stay tuned for the final details in next Friday’s newsletter.

Finally, as a reminder, the Saturday Main Season Market runs through November 17. We’ll host our annual Pre-Thanksgiving Holiday Market on Tuesday, November 20 from 3:00-5:00 pm. The
Saturday Winter Market will begin on December 1 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm. That’s a lot of dates to keep straight!

Want to learn more?

Read the rest of the November 2, 2018 newsletter or sign up to receive the next newsletter in your inbox.

Join us for our annual Vendor Halloween Costume Contest on Saturday, October 27!

We hope you and your families are looking forward to Halloween! Our vendors are ready and excited to participate in our annual costume contest. Every year we host this contest as a fundraiser for our Double Bucks program, which matches SNAP/EBT transactions up to $10. You can purchase tickets to vote for your favorite vendor(s) at our Info Table. Tickets are $1 each or you can buy a bundle of 8 tickets for $5. It’s the perfect way to show your support for our vendors while also benefiting Double Bucks, which is one of our market’s most important programs. We encourage you and your kiddos to come dressed in your favorite Halloween outfits, too! And be sure to save your leftover Halloween candy for our annual trade-in event with Bull City Fit on Saturday, November 3. Your kids will be able to swap handfuls of candy for a gift certificate to the farmers’ market.

This Saturday we’ll also have special bouquets of marigolds for everyone celebrating Dia de los Muertos. Martha and Mario at Meadow Lane Farm planted special flowers for this celebration and are excited to share them with you. Why are marigolds used on this holiday? The vibrant colors and strong scent help guide the spirits to the altars set-up by families. What better way to honor your ancestors than with locally grown flowers?

Please mark your calendars for Saturday, November 10 when we’ll host our first annual Silent Auction to raise funds for some of your favorite market programs, including the Sprouts Kid’s Club, Double Bucks, and more. We’re collecting auction items right now and, trust us, there are some incredible items up for bid. Save the date and come prepared to complete your holiday shopping while also supporting the market that you love.

Finally, as a reminder, below is our market schedule:

  • The Wednesday Market is closed for the season. Thank you for your support!
  • Saturday Main Season Market runs through November 17 from 8:00 am-12:00 pm.
  • Pre-Thanksgiving Holiday Market will be held on Tuesday, November 20 from 3:00-5:00 pm. The Saturday Market will be closed on November 24.
  • Saturday Winter Market begins on December 1 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm.

Want to learn more?

Read the rest of the October 26, 2018 newsletter or sign up to receive the next newsletter in your inbox.

Celebrate Fall produce at the market on Saturday, October 20!

Fall colors are popping up at the market and we’re all enjoying the transition to different produce. Peppers and eggplant are hanging on, but we know their days are limited as cooler night temperatures become more frequent. As the days get shorter, our bodies will start seeking the nourishment of root veggies and deep greens. Check out our blog post for a reflection on this transition and a recipe for Curried Butternut Squash Soup.

Also, we’re excited for two upcoming events at the market! Next Saturday, October 27, we’ll host our annual Vendor Halloween Costume Contest. We encourage you and your kiddos to come dressed in your favorite Halloween outfits, too! And on November 10, we’re hosting our first annual Silent Auction to raise funds for some of your favorite market programs, including the Sprouts Kid’s Club, Double Bucks, and more. Save the date and come prepared to complete your holiday shopping while also supporting the market that you love.

Finally, as a reminder, below is our market schedule:

  • The Wednesday Market is closed for the season. Thank you for your support!
  • Saturday Main Season Market runs through November 17 from 8:00 am-12:00 pm.
  • Pre-Thanksgiving Holiday Market will be held on Tuesday, November 20 from 3:00-5:00 pm. The Saturday Market will be closed on November 24.
  • Saturday Winter Market begins on December 1 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm.

PS – If you visit the State Fair this weekend, don’t forget to look for our vendors. Several won ribbons for their delicious products and we couldn’t be happier for them!

Want to learn more?

Read the rest of the October 19, 2018 newsletter or sign up to receive the next newsletter in your inbox.

Join us for our Silent Auction on Saturday, November 10

We’re excited to host our first Silent Auction and raffle on November 10! We have AMAZING items from the best local businesses that would make perfect holiday gifts (or just something special for you!).

For the raffle portion of our event, we have gift certificates from some of our favorite local restaurants, including Motorco, Pompieri Pizza, Bull City Burger & Brewery, Heirloom Restaurant (Roxboro) and more. The chefs at those restaurants shop at the market and use as many local products on their menus as possible. Our raffle will also include gifts from our very own farmers’ market vendors! There will be beautiful crafts and gift certificates for cheese, chips and salsa, and even a jar of strawberry jam that won first place at the 2018 State Fair! Raffle tickets will be $1 each or 7 tickets for $5.

The Silent Auction portion of our fundraiser will be held on Saturday, November 10 and begins at 8:00 am on the lawn. There are some incredible items to bid on that will make thoughtful holiday gifts for your loved ones! Below is a list of the items available and the closing times for bidding.

Table Closing at 9:00 am

Table Closing at 10:00 am

Table Closing at 11:00 am

You’ll also be able to pickup your favorite DFM merch at the event, in addition to gift certificates to the market. And don’t forget to ask us about our Friend of the Market Program. We’d love to chat with you about it!

Why are we having a silent auction? You may not know that the market operates primarily off of the weekly stall fees from our farmers and artisans. Despite this modest budget, we are constantly working to make fresh and healthy food accessible to our entire Durham community. We want to continue expanding the offerings of our market and need your help to make this happen. All of the money raised from this event will go toward market programs you love, such as the Sprouts Kid’s Club, the Double Bucks Program, cooking demos, and much, much more!

We hope you’ll join us on November 10 and complete your holiday shopping at the market! Until then, check out photos of a few of the auction items below.