(http://camdenblogs.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/farmers-market.jpg)Summertime is a great time to get fresh fruit and vegetables!  The peaches and watermelons are ripe, the corn straight off the farms and the tomatoes are as fresh as can be.  My favorite place to find fresh produce is at the local Farmer’s Market.  The produce is delicious, the price is right and it supports local businesses at the same time.  Purchasing local produce benefits the local economy and is environmentally friendly by avoiding unnecessary transporting from other areas. 

There are so many great markets in Charlotte.  The other day I stumbled upon the one in the picture above while walking around uptown at the corner of Trade and Tryon.  The Center City Green Market is open Wednesdays from 8am - 4pm and Saturdays 8am – 1pm. 

This got me thinking… there must be other great places in Charlotte to find fresh produce and if I am not sure where to find them, then there must be other people unaware of them too.  After a little research here is a great list of local farmer’s markets:

-          The Charlotte Tailgate Farmer’s Market (South End)

• Located at West Park Ave. and Camden Rd.

• Open Saturdays 9am – 1pm and Tuesdays 4pm to 7pm

-          Davidson Farmer’s Market

• Located next to Town Hall between Main Street and Jackson Street

• Open Saturdays 8am-12pm (May through October)

* * Also hosts cooking demos and nonprofit booths

-          Matthews Community Farmer’s Market

• Located on North Trade Street in Old Downtown Matthews

• Open Saturdays 7:30am-12pm (may through October)

-          Town of Huntersville Main & Maxwell Farmer’s Market

• Located at 103 Maxwell Street next to the Caboose

• Open Tuesday 7am-noon (through August 17th) and Saturdays 7am-noon (through October)

-          Kings Drive Farmer’s Market

• Located on the corner of Kings Drive and Morehead Street

• Open all day on Tuesdays and Fridays and on Saturdays from 7am-3pm

Take advantage of these local markets while the weather is nice and the produce is available!  Once you try those fresh peaches, there is no turning back.