Time running out for vendors to sign up for local farmers markets

RALEIGH, N.C. — It’s a new food year! As January speeds through and ushers in 2016, local farmer’s markets come to mind. Given our rapidly evolving food scene, and the depth of cooperation which makes our area so lovely and delicious, it can really pay off for small farms and businesses to sell at farmer’s markets or other outlets if possible. Deadlines are fast approaching for new vendors and small farms, and a few have already passed. If you are a farmer or an artisan producer in our area, you’ll want to be aware of your options and requirements to sell your goods or wares.

Apex Farmer’s Market has a Feb. 1 deadline for applications, and a 10 percent discount if fees are paid in full by March 1.

Cary Downtown Farmer’s Market deadline is Jan. 31. Late applications will incur a higher fee and encounter less availability.

Both the UNC Wellness Northwest location and Western Wake Farmer’s Market – Application process runs from December to February. Applications are online and priority deadline is Feb. 19. For unrepresented/underrepresented products, they may take applications year-round.

Waverly Place Farmer’s Market has some applications online. Contact them for more information on the Farmer’s Market or LOCAL at Waverly vendor spaces.

Chapel Hill Farmer’s Market deadline was Dec. 31 for new and returning vendors. However, they may still accept some applications.

Carrboro Farmer’s Market deadline was Dec. 31 as well. Interested applicants meeting the more specific packaged food requirements may apply to be a guest vendor on a rolling basis.

Southern Village Farmer’s Market has a rolling application process. In past years, there was a February deadline for priority applicants. Contact them via their website for specifics.

Clayton Farm and Community Market accepts applications online.

Durham Farmer’s Market (downtown) deadline is Jan. 31. Applications are submitted online with fee.

South Durham Farmer’s Market deadline for existing vendors was Dec. 31 The new vendor deadline is Jan. 31.

LoMo Market’s application process is online. See the site or contact them for more info.

The Farmery market grows hydroponic produce in a self-contained cropbox. They were formerly at American Tobacco campus. We spoke to owner Ben Greene. They are opening a mobile café with Chef Crystal Blalock in a vintage 1968 Airstream trailer. The soft opening is slated for Jan. 28 at 11 a.m. in front of the Frontier Building in RTP. The grand opening is slated for this spring, possibly early March.

Growers Market of Fuquay Varina has applications online. See their website and contact them for more information.

Eno River Farmer’s Market has a Jan. 31 deadline. They are especially interested in vendors with eggs, poultry, nuts, fruit and prepared foods like fresh pasta. Guest vendors are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Hillsborough Farmer’s Market returning vendors have a deadline of Jan. 31. Most new vendors have a deadline of February 15th. They also have a year-round, rolling acceptance process for some categories.

Holly Springs Farmer’s Market – Applications are accepted all year; however, notifications of acceptance begin in January. See website for further details and required payment times.

The Knightdale Farmers Market is accepting applications online as well.

Fearrington Farmer’s Market has information online. See their website for contacts, application, and acceptance process.

Chatham Mills Farmer’s Market deadline is March 1 for new vendors.

Pittsboro Farmer’s Market has had a January deadline for new member applications. See their website or contact them for updated information.

Inter-Faith Food Shuttle has a farm stand for selling produce from their teaching farm and various programs. See their website for updates on when they open for sales.

Midtown Raleigh Farmer’s Market is accepting applications and early applications are due by February 5th.

Plantation Point Farmer’s Market accepts applications all year, but primary applications have been accepted February-March in years prior. See their website.

Saturday Market at Rebus Works has no application deadline. Contact them via their website for their rolling application process. They stated that they normally get back in touch within a few days.

Raleigh Downtown Farmer’s Market has various rates, schedules, and levels of participation. Anyone interested in applying for the 2016 season should see their website.

NC State Farmer’s Market has waiting lists in many categories, and applications expire on Dec. 31 every year. To be considered for space and maintain status on a waiting list, vendors must reapply by Feb. 28 each year.

Saxapahaw Saturday Farmer’s Market has warm weather scheduling. See their website for more information.

Wake Forest Farmer’s Market has an online application process with a waiting list available. They have monthly and weekly fees.

Wendell Winter Market was suspended in December. They are reopening tentatively in May. See their website or social media for updates and deadlines.

Zebulon Farm Fresh Market is now taking applications. Opening day is May 7. See their website for manager contact info if interested in participating.