How can we create a silver lining for this pandemic? One way is to use these weeks to research and support buying fresh local foods from our community’s farmers, markets, butchers, bakers, and grocers.
Here’s why and how. Most of us are trying to stay healthy, and focusing more on eating healthy food. We’re cooking more. We have a little more time to look at new recipes and try new foods. It’s the perfect time to shop at small grocers and farms…because let’s face it, that’s about the only shopping we in NC are allowed to do besides online. That’s a good thing, in my opinion. And remarkably, our communities and most communities are surrounded by small farms that are producing vegetables, dairy, meats, and fruits. It’s time to get to know our local markets and farms in a way that we never have before.
The local food movement started long ago, and Greensboro has developed over the years a network of farmers markets and shops that have helped us meet farmers face to face. Why not build on that and spread the word to those who are not as aware of our rich farm and food ecosystem?
We also have local grocers and butchers that offer the highest quality products: Deep Roots Market, Bestway Grocery, and
Gate City Butcher Shop. Summerfield Farms has a lovely boutiquey small market on site. Giacamo’s Italian Market is stocked with the finest Italian staples, including meats and pastas.
The Greensboro Farmers Curb Market was not able to open recently due to the the crowd limits for indoor retailers. BUT, starting on Wednesday April 29, some of their vendors will be available for curbside pickup at Revolution Mill. More info here. They have also done a great job of creating a catalog of all of their vendors and how to reach them.
The Corner Farmers Market at Walker and Elam has always been an outdoor market so has been able to accommodate safety guidelines, and has created a system for delivering prepaid orders to car riders. Visit them from 9:00am -noon on Saturdays.
And the Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers Market is operating daily 7:00am-6:00pm.
Other local farms (less than 15 miles from Downtown Greensboro, see links below) are open for individual consumers to purchase everything from organic veggies to ice cream to eggs to strawberries. Check out their websites and Facebook pages to get directions and hours of operation.
We have witnessed manifestations of #GreensboroStrong through the outpouring of support we have shown for each other. Consuming more fresh, local food will make us stronger! I look forward to waving to you at our local markets and farms. I’ll probably be wearing a mask, sunglasses and a hat! And if you have suggestions that need to be added to this list, let me know!
More Local Farms and Food vendors (less than 15 miles from downtown Greensboro):
Augustino Gusto, European Artisan Bakery 336-740-7005
Rudd Farm (temporarily closed)
Homeland Creamery
Sunset Market Gardens
Gate City Harvest
Massey Creek Farm
Weekend driving trips are second only to learning everything about what is in my own back yard. Greensboro and the Triad are growing and changing and renewing in a way that no one would have predicted two decades ago.