Top Places for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables in Raleigh

Tired of the waxed fruit and the cardboard-tasting vegetables? People in Raleigh, an agricultural state, know where to go to get fresh fruits and vegetables and all manner of homegrown products. If you want organic, that is available too, but is more costly than the local farmers markets, which are popping up all over.

State Farmers Market

This is the original and official farmers market in Raleigh. Located off I-40, exit 297, this is the largest farmers market, with both indoor and outdoor areas. It's open every day of the week from 5:00 am to 6:00 pm, except Sundays when it opens at 8:00 am. Local vendors sell anything from fruits and vegetables to honey, herbs, plants, and crafts. There is even a Seafood restaurant that serves high-quality seafood right there. The thing to keep in mind with farmers markets is that they mostly take cash, unless it is a craft booth. Luckily, the State Farmers market has ATMs located nearby in case you forgot to bring cash. More information about the State Farmers Market is located at this website: http://www.ncagr.com/markets/facilit/farmark/raleigh/index.htm.

Whole Foods Market

This healthy gourmet grocer is located off I-40 on Wade Avenue. It has a breakfast and lunch bar that is brimming with creative recipes. They are careful to create a variety in the diet with some vegetarian dishes made available too. The fruits and vegetables that are sold here are either conventional or organic, and are properly noted on the selling signs. They sell several different salad mixes and you can buy by weight. They also support local farmers by inventorying and featuring local grown foods. The atmosphere is casual and somewhat yuppie. They sell many items like grains and nuts in bulk. There official Raleigh website is at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/raleigh/index.html.

Grand Asia Market & Restaurant

This market is a secret. Don't tell anyone - seriously! It appears only the Asian population in Raleigh is aware of this hidden gem. If you love stir-fry but can't afford bok choy in the regular grocers, go here. They have all manner of exotic fruits and vegetables at very reasonable prices. It may smell a little odd when you first walk in, but that is because it has a large fish market at the end of the store. Check it out, if only for curiosity's sake. Along with mussels and fish, they sell fresh squid, crab, and turtles. This market caters to the Asian palate, so there is a large variety of totally foreign foodstuff here. But, if you merely are looking for fresh fruits and vegetables, you don't need to know what the rest of it is. They even have hard to find fresh herbs like lemon grass. In addition, you will see things you may want to try but never had the courage: lotus root, mustard greens, and kohlrabi to name a few. Don't take the kids unless you want to spend hours here. The assortment of Asian wares and foods is fascinating to the children and J-pop teenagers. To find out more about the Grand Asia Market, visit their website at http://www.grandasiamarket.com/.

State Fairgrounds Flea Market

Located on Blue Ridge Road where the North Carolina Fair takes place, this is one of the largest flea markets in Raleigh. Along with antique dealers and flea market vendors, many local farmers use the State Fairgrounds to sell their fresh fruits and vegetables. This is open every Saturday and Sunday, except when the North Carolina State Fair has taken over the premises in October. There is a building, which houses the year-round sellers. In the spring and summer farmers and all manner of vendors sell in outside booths.

Moore Square Farmers Market

This is the newest farmers market to sprout up in the Triangle area. It is located in the heart of the city at City Market in downtown Raleigh on Moore Square. That's where the big acorn is and oak trees surround it. It opens every Wednesday between 11 am and 2 pm. It consists of local farmers and artisans and will have chef demo series that highlight the local produce.