Becoming Locavores, Part 1

In recent months, we've spent a lot of time exploring local farms and farmers' markets in Granville, Franklin, and Wake counties, and also learned about pickling / preserving / freezing / etc. As we meet more farmers and find more local variety, we're quickly moving away from grocery stores and buying local whenever possible. Meats, produce, eggs, and cheeses are all easily obtained in the Triangle area. I've personally met the growers / farmers and in addition to having great food, they are great people.

This weekend's haul included:

• figs
• Malabar spinach
• goat's milk feta
• goat's milk 5 pepper cheese spread
  
• lamb spareribs
• lamb leg chops
• purple-hulled peas
• Crowder peas
• butterbeans
• okra
• white eggplant
• Yukon Gold and red potatoes
  
• eggs

But this is only a sampling of what NC's farms have to offer. We've built a pretty solid network of farmers that we like; here's a rundown:

Lyon Farms Hwy 15 and Munns Rd, Creedmoor, NC

• strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries in season; can pick yourself
• They do sell other produce but much of it is shipped in and not local, we stick to the berries.
  

MAE Farm Mitchell Church Rd, Louisburg, NC / NC State Farmer's Market
http://www.maefarmmeats.com/
Mike and Susanne Jones

• pork - all cuts, including bacon, ham, and many types of sausage
  
• beef - all cuts
  
• goat - all cuts
• all meat is pasture-raised
  
• eggs
  

Turtle Mist Farm 227 Suitt Rd., Franklinton, NC / Creedmoor and Wake Forest farmers' markets. Creedmoor Wednesdays; Wake Forest Saturdays.
http://turtlemistfarm.com/
Bob and Ginger Sykes

• lamb - all cuts, many not found in stores such as spare ribs and neck roasts. Pasture-raised.
  
• eggs
• various veggies
• aloe plants
• jewelry
  

Mark / Pine Knob Farm Creedmoor Farmers' Market

• Butterbeans
• Crowder peas
• Melons
  
• Okra
• Pork
  
• Squash
• Eggplant
• various other veggies and fruits depending on season
  

Deborah's Fresh Vegetables Creedmoor Farmers' Market

• potatoes
• sweet potatoes
• cucumbers
• banana and hot peppers
• butter beans
• purple-hulled peas
• corn
  
• tomatoes
  
• squash
• melons
• various other veggies and fruits depending on season

Sleepy Goat Farms Pelham, NC / Wake Forest Farmers' Market

• goat cheeses, such as feta
• goat cheese spreads - garlic/paprika, 5 pepper, curry, etc.
  

Creedmoor Farmers' Market Hwy 50 and Hwy 56, Creedmoor, NC
http://www.creedmoorfarmersmarket.com/

• Wed. 1-6 PM, Sat. 8 AM - 1PM
• April - November
  

Wake Forest Farmers' Market White Ave. and Wait Ave., Wake Forest, NC
http://www.wakeforestfarmersmarket.org/

• 8AM - 12PM in season
• Holiday markets
• Winter markets