Martha Gross (above left at car) of Timberwood Organics is looking forward to the winter season for the Eno River Farmers Market. A sign (at left) advertises the Thanksgiving Market on Tuesday that will give shoppers time to buy local produce and meats for the holiday.
chh@heraldsun.com
HILLSBOROUGH — The Eno River Farmers Market is gearing up for the holiday season as local shoppers prepare their holiday shopping lists for the Thanksgiving Market, which will take place on from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Customers will be able to fill their holiday tables with vegetables, meat, holiday pies, fresh baked bread and fresh eggs produced by sustainable methods within miles of their homes.
“We will have Brussels sprouts, broccoli, radishes, beets, carrots, lettuce and braising mix,” said Audrey Lin, a partner in Two Chicks Farm, located just 5 miles from downtown Hillsborough. Two Chicks Farm grows all its produce without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. It uses locally adapted varieties of vegetables and a covered hoop-house to protect the crops against the cold.
Stephany Weston, owner of The Queen of Tarts, is excited to provide fresh baked holiday pies and traditional side dishes. She features local, sustainably grown ingredients, many of which she purchases from other market vendors or grows in her own garden.
“I will be making delectable Thanksgiving sides including two types of stuffing: Traditional oyster stuffing and Southern cornbread stuffing made with homemade cornbread, apples and celery,” Weston said.
Martha Gross of Timberwood Organics, located in Efland, is looking forward to coming to the market all winter. She plans to offer her certified-organic produce on Saturdays throughout the season.
“For the winter market we will have lots of mixed greens, kale, collards, Swiss chard and bok choy; salad greens, arugula, cilantro. And probably some turnips and radishes, depending on the weather,” Gross said.
During the winter, the market will be open from 10 a.m. to noon every Saturday. Winter hours will begin on Dec. 5.
Johnny Rogers, owner of Rogers Beef, offers cuts and roasts.
“Since we have our beef custom processed, we are always willing to work with customers on special cuts they desire,” Rogers said.
Rogers Beef is raised on a diet of grass and grain without the use of antibiotics or hormones. The meat is processed in a USDA certified, Animal Welfare Approved, local facility.
“I love the Eno River Market because it is supporting Hillsborough and the farmers, and supporting a lifestyle of health and sustainability,” said Ann Talton-Lee, a Hillsborough resident.
Ben Trueblood likes that it is locally and sustainably grown.
“The food tastes better when you know where it came from,” he said.
Barbara Frazier emphasized the convenience of having a market in her community that offers a full range of groceries.
“I come because all of the vendors are so nice, and their foods are so good and so healthy. And you can get all your grocery shopping done in one fell swoop,” she said.
The Eno River Farmers Market is on East Margaret Lane in historic Downtown Hillsborough. Following Thanksgiving, on Saturday, Nov. 28, there will not be a market.
Leila Wolfrum is the market manager of the Eno River Farmers Market. Send e-mail to enoriverfarmersmarket@gmail.com
