Doing your shopping at local farmers markets ensures a few great things will happen:

1. It helps to strengthen our local economy here in Raleigh. When you buy local, more of your money stays in the local economy!
2. It is a great way to go green! When you purchase produce in a chain grocery store, the majority (if not all) of the products have been grown in other states or counties. This means that your food has been transported a huge distance and that requires unnecessary fuel to be used.
3. Finally, when you buy local you’re ensuring that your food is fresher because it hasn’t been sitting in the back of a truck, boat, or plane for days on end as it travels to the store! And of course fresh produce simply tastes better.

Thankfully, with all those great reasons to shop local, we have a wonderful farmers market here in Raleigh! The Raleigh Farmers Market is a huge, 75 acre market featuring tons of indoor and outdoor shops selling some of the freshest fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses in the state! There are also a number of specialty shops selling things like candies, gifts, soaps, and lotions, as well as 3 great restaurants on the premises.

The Raleigh Farmers Market is open Monday through Saturday from 5:00 am until 6:00 pm and on Sundays from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm. The three restaurants on the premises each have their own hours of operation. The market is located at 1208 Farmers Market Drive, Raleigh, NC. That’s only about a 25 minute drive from your apartment! For more information about the market please visit the Raleigh Farmers Market or give them a call at 919-733-7417.

Have you ever been to the Raleigh Farmers Market? What did you think? Did you find anything particularly great at any of the shops or restaurants? Leave us a comment and tell us about it!

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