Greensboro, NC– The Greensboro Farmers Curb Market joins markets across the country in celebrating National Farmers Market Week from August 5-11, 2018 with activities schedule as follows:
Mid-Week Market, Wednesday, August 8th from 8 am to 1 pm
- Every visitor during Mid-Week Market will have the opportunity to:
~enter a raffle for a free Market bag (valued up to $7).
~receive an “I love my Farmers Market” temporary tattoos
~participate in a self-guided scavenger hunt for fun prizes (children).
~get a $2 discount on Market Totes. - The Market will also participate in the Woven Works Wednesdays at the Woven Works Park located at the corner of Murrow and Lindsay Streets. Children and parents are invited from the Market’s surrounding neighborhood to discover insects found at the Bird, Bee & Butterfly Pollinator Garden with help from the Librarians from the Greensboro Public Library and to get a book from the Free Little Library as well as taste what local honey from a local GFM Vendor.
Saturday, August 11th from 7 am- 12 noon
- Every visitor during will have the opportunity to:
~take a selfie with “I love my Farmers Market” tattoos and enter a raffle to win one of 100 Market bags.
~take part in the 5th Annual Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato BLT Challenge & Tomato Celebration Day from 9 am to 11:30 (or until supplies last). This event will feature 3 teams of local restaurants and food enthusiasts with their best BLT creation. The cost is $6 per plate and customers will have the opportunity to sample a slider size sandwich with a side of Mount Olive pickles and vote for their favorite BLT.
~vote for the tastiest tomato: a tomato tasting bar will be offered with samples from 15 tomato growers at the Market. enjoy live music from Laura Jane Vincent with children’s activities will be located on the lawn. Patrons are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the festivities.
The Importance of Farmers Markets
As demand for local food grows, so have opportunities for farmers to market fresh food directly to the consumer. According to statistics recently released by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), farmers markets and farm stands account for roughly $2 billion of the $3 billion that Americans spend annually on farm-direct products. This revenue supports more than 165,000 mostly small and mid-sized farms and ranches.
Greensboro Farmers Curb Market is the largest all-local farmers market in the Triad. The Market was created began in 1874 by the City of Greensboro and moved to the current location at 501 Yanceyville Street in 1963. It occupies an old armory and provides customers with both inside and outside shopping areas. Currently the Market hosts 117 farm, food and seasonal craft artisans. Fifty-five farmers sell a wide variety of products. There are year round growers, multi-generational historic farmers and young first generation farmers practicing a variety of growing practices including, animal-welfare approved, pasture-raised, organic, and sustainable methods. “Every week farmers markets connect rural and urban communities and help create a strong local economy,” says GFM Executive Director Lee Mortensen.
Farmers markets also serve a vital role in the food system; with fresh foods available year-round, food insecure families can access fresh foods locally grown including eggs, meats, seafood, dairy, vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Greensboro Farmers Market, Inc. (GFM), a 501-c3 non-profit, supports Food Security and Fresh Food Access through several programs, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/ Electronic Benefit Transfer (SNAP/EBT), Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), and the Orange Card Token Program in partnership with the Guilford Community Care Network’s (GGCN).
GFM accepts SNAP/EBT during both Wednesday (Mid-Week) and Saturday Markets and offers “Double Bucks” up to $15 during Mid-Week Market (Wednesday from 8am-1pm). Through a partnership with GCCN and funding from area funds and donations, the Orange Card Program provides Orange Card beneficiaries with $10 in GFM tokens during Wednesday Market hours to shop the Market. For more information on the GCCN Orange Card program please visithttp://guilfordccn.org/.
GFM’s fresh food access programs have demonstrated a positive connection between fresh foods and improved health and wellness. SNAP, FMNP and Orange Card customers say that healthy fresh foods have impacted their mental and physical well-being.
“Farmers markets play a vital role not just in generating real income for farmers, but in forming healthy, prosperous food systems,” says Jen Cheek, Executive Director of the Farmers Market Coalition. “By providing the opportunity for farmers to connect directly with consumers, markets serve as education centers. Vendors are teaching customers about agriculture and sharing recipes and new foods with their neighbors. Markets are making people and communities stronger and healthier.”
About the Market
Greensboro Farmers Market, Inc. (GFM) operates the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on behalf of the City of Greensboro. GFM is a 501c3 nonprofit. GFM provides greater Greensboro with opportunities to purchase and learn about local food and artisan goods in a friendly and diverse social setting. GFM encourages and supports the growth of local foods and artisan goods businesses to improve greater Greensboro’s economy, support better health through healthy eating and build social and community connections. For information on the Market and food security programs at the Market, go to: www.gsofarmersmarket.org
Location and Hours of Operation
The Greensboro Farmers Curb Market, 501 Yanceyville Street, is located at the corner of Lindsey Street and Yanceyville Street across from the War Memorial Stadium and operates year round on Saturdays 7 am to 12 pm and seasonally on Wednesday 8 am- 1 pm (April– December 19). The Market is a 9,000 square foot indoor facility with free admission, WiFi, and plenty of free parking as well as an ATM on site.
Carolyn Hulsey, Assistant Manager
Greensboro Farmers Market, Inc.
336-373-2402501 Yanceyville Street
By mail: PO Box 2617, Greensboro, NC 27402-2617