Archived Outdoors

Farmers market season launches

Growing season is upon us, and that means farmers of all stripes are harvesting produce to sell. Farmers markets around the region are starting up, with outlets for fresh food and locally made products in every county.

Cherokee

Cherokee Farmers Market, Cherokee

Getting there: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fridays July through Oct. 30, at 876 Acquoni Road next to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Cooperative Extension office. 

What’s happening: Locally grown produce for sale. 

Contact: Sarah McClellan, 828.359.6935 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Farmstand at Cherokee Indian Hospital, Cherokee

Getting there: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursdays June through Sept. 24, in the parking lot of Cherokee Indian Hospital on Hospital Hill Road

What’s happening: Locally grown produce for sale. 

Contact: Nilofer Couture, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Haywood County

Haywood Historic Farmers Market, Waynesville

Getting there: 8 a.m. to noon, Wednesday and Saturday May 6 through mid-December, at 250 Pigeon St. in the parking lot of the HART Theatre.

What’s happening: Local produce; meats, seafood delivered overnight from Kitty Hawk, local mountain trout; cheese, eggs, mushrooms and honey; spring bedding, plants and flowers; pickles, preserves and sauces; baked goods; fresh-made pasta, bagels, cornmeal and sodas; birdhouses, feeders and gourds and heritage crafts such as pottery, blacksmithing, furniture and soaps for sale. Live music and Kids’ Corner Market offered monthly. Crafters regularly give live demos.

Ways to pay: SNAP/EBT benefits accepted with values doubled through a voucher system; credit and debit payments as well as coupons from the Senior Nutrition Program and WIC.

Contact: David Smiley, 239.209.6495 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.waynesvillefarmersmarket.com or www.facebook.com/waynesvillefarmersmarket

The Original Waynesville Tailgate Market, Waynesville 

Getting there: 8 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays and Saturdays May 13 to Oct. 31 at the American Legion Parking Lot on Legion Drive off Main Street.

What’s happening: Haywood County vegetables, fruits, cut flowers and seed starts for sale.

Contact: Vicky Rogers, 828.456.1830 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Jackson County

Cashiers Tailgate Market, Cashiers

Getting there: 9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays May 2 through Oct. 31. United Community Bank on N.C. 107 South.

What’s happening: Fresh-baked goods, pesticide-free fruits and vegetables, fresh trout, local beef and lamb, goat cheese, eggs, jellies, fruit pies and more for sale. Community-supported agriculture memberships available.

Contact: Donna Few, 828.226.9988 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Jackson County Farmers Market, Sylva

Getting there: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon April to Oct. 31 at Bridge Park; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. November to March at the Community Table. 

What’s happening: A variety of locally produced vegetables, meats, honey, plants and crafts. Plant starts, native plants, trees, greens and other spring veggies, spices, eggs, baked goods, mozzarella, goat cheese, flowers and local crafts such as pottery, soaps, jewelry, journals, toys, candles, bird feeders, kitchen accessories and more for sale. Family Art at the Market offered from 10 a.m. to noon with Storytime with City Lights starting at 11 a.m.; monthly fundraising brunches and occasional music acts held.

Ways to pay: SNAP benefits, credit and debit payments accepted.

Contact: Jenny 828.399.0290 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.facebook.com, “The Glorious Jackson County Farmers Market.”

The ‘Whee Farmers Market, Cullowhee

Getting there: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays through the end of October, at the corner of North Country Club Drive and N.C. 107 behind the Village of Forest Hills sign.

What’s happening: Meats, eggs, cheeses, vegetables, value-added products and crafts sold. On-site cooking demonstrations and live music given. 

Contact: Curt Collins, 828.476.0334. www.facebook.com/cullowheefarmersmarket.

Macon County

Cowee Farmers Market, Franklin

Getting there: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays May 13 to Oct. 28, at Old Cowee School located at 51 Cowee School Drive.

What’s happening: Local fruits, vegetables, botanicals, baked goods, eggs, prepared foods, crafts and pasture-raised meats sold. Live music, food tastings, arts and crafts, and junior and education booths offered. 

Contact: Susan Ervin, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.524.8369. www.coweefarmersmarket.com.

Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market 

Getting there: 8 a.m. to noon, Saturdays April 18 through Oct. 31 on East Palmer Street across from Drake Software.

What’s happening: Variety of homegrown products, including fruits and vegetables, cheese, plants, eggs, trout, preserves, herbal soap, honey and artisan breads sold.

Contact: Alan Durden, 828.349.2049 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.facebook.com/franklinncfarmersmarket.

Swain County

Swain County Farmer Market

Getting there: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fridays May 1 through Oct. 30, and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesdays June 16 to Sept. 15, at the barn on Island Street in Bryson City. 

What’s happening: Local produce, nursery plants, herbs, trout, eggs, honey and artisan craft such as jewelry, quilts, pottery and gourds sold. 

Contact: Christine Bredenkamp, 828.488.3848 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.facebook.com/swaincountyfarmersmarket

All markets are cash only unless otherwise noted. 

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