After three years at The Plant, the Pittsboro Farmers Market is back downtown in a move that increases accessibility and visibility.
By Renee Ambroso | Photography by John Michael Simpson
Every Thursday at 3 p.m., Pittsboro’s Pop-up Park on Salisbury Street fills with the chatter of children playing, old friends catching up and musicians plucking out a tune. Farmers, bakers, beekeepers, fishmongers and artists gather year-round to share their produce and products at the Pittsboro Farmers Market, which relocated to the park in February after three years at The Plant.
Elizabeth Ferrin, who took over the role of market manager in April, says it’s an environment that benefits all who gather there. “[Customers directly] support local families, small businesses and sustainable agriculture,” Elizabeth says. Plus, visitors enjoy access to seasonal produce that travels from farm to table within days, retaining more flavor and nutrients than most fruits and veggies that fill grocery store shelves.
The market also offers an opportunity to build connection and community with neighbors on a weekly basis. “I wish more people knew how welcoming and accessible markets are,” Elizabeth says. “You don’t have to be an expert or spend a lot, just come talk with vendors.” She says the transition to a downtown location was made to increase accessibility and visibility for the Pittsboro Farmers Market. The Plant provided a spacious, supportive gathering space for the market to operate, but lacked the opportunity to draw in many passersby since it’s not walkable from most of town.
Harris Hives owner Phil Utmor has sold his honey at the Pittsboro Farmers Market for more than seven years. “The Plant did a lot to accommodate our needs in the time we were there,” Phil says.
Greta Laws, who has worked at McNeill Farms for 21 years, hopes the new location will bring more regulars to the market. In 1997, McNeill was among the group of local farms that collaborated with the N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Chatham County Center and the Chatham County Agricultural and Industrial Fair Association to start a producer-only market – highlighting items grown or made within a 50-mile radius – in Chatham County. The market was hosted at the Chatham County Fairgrounds for more than a decade before moving to the parking lot of the Chatham YMCA’s former location on East Street, and then to The Plant.
Returning to a downtown setting reminds Greta of the market’s atmosphere during the early days at the fairgrounds. “Now that people from town can walk to it, older people can get around better and people with kids [can enjoy the playground], it’s almost like we’ve come full circle,” she says.
The park’s larger capacity also allows new applicants to join on a rolling basis. Thirteen vendors – including Pittsboro’s Academy Farm, The Crystal Cavern, Vortex Roasters and BMC Brewing, and Siler City’s Creative Cakes by Natalie – will bring their offerings to marketgoers this year.
Emily Thompson of Heart Song Farm has sold produce, flowers and tinctures at the market for more than five years. She’s passionate about sharing quality, locally grown food and supporting small-scale agriculture, and cherishes the relationships that have bloomed during that time. “So many customers have turned into friends,” she says. Emily views the market as a way for Chathamites to support one another and help neighbors thrive. “Shopping at our market is a strong pillar of sustainability for our community – when you keep your money in your community, that keeps everyone afloat.”
Other vendors also share strong bonds with the people they see each Thursday. Greta has become lifelong pals with several other vendors over the decades. “We know about each other’s kids and grandkids and what’s going on in their lives,” she says. Rather than competing with one another, vendors do all they can to uplift their fellow producers. “We’re all in this together,” Phil says. “It’s very much a big, extended family approach.”
Emily hopes that the momentum the market has gained since moving to the park will continue to snowball. “I want this to be the place to be on a Thursday in Pittsboro,” she says.
