Farmers in Raleigh face brutal 13-hour shifts to keep state market stocked

The State Farmers Market in Raleigh operates on a grueling schedule that demands early departures and late returns from its vendors. The 75-acre facility is open seven days a week, year-round, requiring sellers to manage long commutes and extended hours to meet customer demand. For many farmers, the physical toll of the work is balanced by the high volume of shoppers from across the state and country.

Robert Lowe, a fifth-generation farmer from Sugarloaf Orchards, illustrates the time commitment required to sell at the market. His farm, located near Boone, North Carolina, is 170 miles from Raleigh. Lowe stated that he typically leaves his farm at 4:00 a.m. and remains at the market until 5:00 p.m. His family has maintained a presence at the State Farmers Market since 1991, and the farm itself has been in business since 1846.

Lowe noted that the market’s location in Raleigh drives higher sales compared to other venues. He said that other farmers markets are often more rural and attract fewer people. He credited the expansion of Raleigh over the past 10 years for generating more travel and business. "You guys have a lot of good travel, a lot more business, especially with how Raleigh has expanded so much in the past 10 years," Lowe said.

The market also draws customers from far outside the region. Heather Enloe traveled from Purcellville, Virginia, with her husband and son, a student at NC State. She described a six-hour drive to reach the market. Enloe said she intended to buy fresh vegetables but was most impressed by the flower selection. "I love the fresh flowers and if we did not have a six-hour drive ahead of us, we would definitely pick up as many fresh flowers as I could hold in my arms," she said.

The facility features three restaurants where visitors can eat on site. The Enloe family shared a dish called the Lumberjack Pants Splitter Special. Enloe described the portion size as larger than they could consume. "It was delicious and way more food than we could eat," she said.

Vendors also report that the diversity of the customer base is a primary draw for their businesses. Jen Baskett, who runs the stand for Weston Farms, said she enjoys interacting with guests from all over the country. Weston Farms began as a single magnolia tree owned by the owner’s grandmother and has expanded to more than 10,000 trees. The farm now produces wreaths, arrangements, and garlands from the trees.

Baskett said the market is special because people travel specifically to see the offerings from North Carolina farmers. "The North Carolina Farmers Market is really special because people come from all over the country and just want to see all of the offerings that are our state farmers provide for everyone," she said. The market has operated in this central Raleigh location since 1955.