A farmers market close to home

In Durham we do not suffer from a lack of choices when it comes to farmers markets. In addition to the downtown Durham Farmers Market, a year-around affair that remains one of the most active and vibrant markets in the region, a new South Durham Farmers Market has recently opened at Greenwood Commons Community Shopping Center. And of course there is LoMo, a new mobile farmers market,which sells local produce every Thursday in Trinity Park, only a short walk from our neighborhood.

But did you know that another thriving, although a bit under the radar, farmers market is only a short distance away from the neighborhood?

I am talking about the Duke Farmer's Market, which is open every Friday until July 27 and every other Friday from Aug. 10 to Sept. 24.

The market is located off Erwin Road, on West Campus of Duke, between the Nanaline H. Duke and Bryan Research buildings (see the map below). It is easily accessible by foot from most points within Old West Durham and features a wide assortment of local farmers and vendors. The weekly schedule, embedded after the break, shows several cooking and gardening demonstrations and events throughout the year.

One of the reasons I have not been an active participant in the Durham farmers market scene is the fact that I did not want to drive and park to get my groceries. It just felt odd to have to drive to a market when I could simply walk to a neighborhood grocery store (Whole Foods) and buy similar products at a comparable price.

Now, however, with LoMo and Duke's Farmer's Market both within an easy 5-10 minute walk, I am hopeful that I would be a much more active participant in the local food scene.

2012 Schedule