Mark my words...

I will never buy bread from the store again! Ever.

I went to the Lowell Farmers Market this afternoon because after last week, I wasn't about to miss that. The lady I bought bread from last week (Ladybug Farms) remembered me, which I love because no Food Lion cashier has ever done that. The sourdough I got last week was AMAZING, but I couldn't finish it all while Eric was in China so I made homemade breadcrumbs out of the rest once it got dry. This time I got a half loaf of cinnamon raisin bread and before I could even put it away, Lucas was asking for it.

Holy. Moly.

It is ridiculous how good this bread is. Seriously. I want to put candles in it on my birthday and just forget about the cake. True story.

I also got a pound of summer squash, a pound of asparagus and a pint of strawberries... all grown within 15 miles of my house. When I buy this stuff, I'm talking to the person who owns and works the farm. Love that. I tried a piece of chocolate pound cake (which was delicious) and the guy said it was baked this morning. Yes. This is the food I want to eat.

I am now and will forever be a Lowell Farmers Market devotee.

Dear Lowell Farmers Market,

How dare you be so fantastic and yet so tiny and unknown. With your hip musician playing the hits of the 90's and now, you feel more like a festival than a farmers market. And you should have seen my face when I found out about your "free samples"... and by "free samples" I mean a gourmet, regular-sized meal for zero dollars.

That conversation went like this:

Me: What are you doing over here? (This is the best I could do because I'm so socially awkward, but curious enough to force myself to say something.) 

Guy with tattoos and longish hair in a chefs jacket: Oh, just a little lettuce wrap with grilled steak and a strawberry, cherry and onion sauce, and a slice of grilled tomato basil bread with a smear of goat cheese. (This is not actually what he said. I just can't remember the fancy culinary terms... I was too preoccupied by how amazing it looked.)

Me: Oh ok. Yeah I want that. (And then I stood there waiting for him to give me the price.)

Chef Guy who is obviously creeped out by me at least a little bit: (After a good 30 seconds...) Um, you can take one, I have more coming out soon.

Me: How much is it?

Guy: Oh no charge.

Me: Wait, what?! WHY!?

Guy: Just doing some free samples today... Just buy something from one of these farmers out here. (All the ingredients were from the vendors.)

Me: Uuuhhh... ok.

Oh my dear Lowell Farmers Market, please accept my deepest apologies for how awkward I am. I don't do it on purpose and I'm not actually creepy. I just don't know how to talk to strangers. Anyways, I'm including photos in case you want to scrapbook about the beautiful day that we met. You are awesome and your vendors are so local, just the way I like them.

Be seeing you soon... (Thursdays at 4pm),
Angie, Your Newest Weekly Patron

Mecklenburg Co. Farmers Markets Hours and Info

Historic West End Market
1601 W. Trade Street, Charlotte
Saturdays 10am-3pm
May through October
www.historicwestendmarket.com

Gateway Village Green Farmers Market
800 W. Trade Street, Charlotte
Thursdays 11am-2pm
www.gatewayvillage.com

Center City Green Market
Trade St. & Tryon St, Charlotte
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am-3pm
Saturday 9am-2pm
www.centercitygreenmarket.com

Atherton Market at Atherton Mill
2104 South Blvd, Charlotte
Tuesdays 11:30am-6:30pm
Saturdays 9am -2pm
www.facebook.com/athertonmillandmarket

Kings Drive Farmers Market
938 S. Kings Drive, Charlotte
Tuesdays and Fridays 6am-6pm
Saturdays 7am-3pm
May through October

Mecklenburg County Market
1515 Harding Place, Charlotte
Wednesdays 7am-6pm
Thursdays and Fridays 9am-6pm
Saturdays 7am-3pm
Year Round
www.beverlysgourmetfoods.com

Common Grounds
923 Providence Road, Charlotte
Tuesday and Friday 9am-1pm
Beginning June 1
www.commongroundsfarmstand1.com

Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
1801 Yorkmont Road, Charlotte
October through March: Tuesday-Saturday 8am-5pm
April through September: Tuesday-Saturday 8am-6pm
May-August: Sundays 12pm-6pm
www.ncagr.com

Newell Farmers Market
1704 Rocky River Road, Charlotte
Saturdays 8am-2pm

Huntersville Farmers Market
103 Maxwell Street, Huntersville
Tuesdays and Saturdays 7am-12pm
May through October
www.huntersville.org

Davidson Farmers Market
128 Main Street, Davidson
Saturdays 8am-12pm
Maythrough October
Winter hours November through April
www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org

Mint Hill Farmers Market
7601 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill
Saturdays 9am-1pm
May through September.
www.piedmont-farmersmarket.com

Piedmont Farmers Market
6960 Robinson Church Road, Harrisburg
Mondays 4pm-7pm
Opens May
www.piedmont-farmersmarket.com

Matthews Community Farmers Market
105 N. Trade Street, Matthews
Saturdays through November 7:15am-12pm
Every other Saturday December through March 8am-10am
Wednesdays late May-August 11am-1pm
www.matthewsfarmersmarket.com

Meeting Street Market at Cedar Walk
9612 Longstone Lane, Ballantyne
Tuesdays 4pm - Dark
www.meetingstreetmarket.com

Gaston County Farmers Markets Hours and Info

Gastonia Farmers Market
410 E. Long Ave.
April: Saturdays 8-12
May: Tuesdays/Thursdays/Saturdays 8-12
June-October: Tuesdays/Thursdays/Saturdays 7-1
November: Saturdays 8-12
December: 1st -2 weekends- Craft Faire
www.gastoniafarmersmarket.com

Cramerton Farmers Market
119 Center St.
Wednesdays 3:30pm-7:30pm
May through November
www.cramerton.org

Lowell Farmers Market
On Second Ave. near Main St.
Thursdays 4pm-8pm
May through November
http://www.lowellnc.com/LowellFarmersMarket.htm

Mt. Holly Farmers Market
130 S. Main St.
Saturdays 8am-12pm
May through November
www.mounthollyfarmersmarket.org

Belmont Farmers Market
6 N. Main St.
Saturdays 8am - Sellout
May through November

Bessemer City Farmers Market
125 E Virginia Ave.
Tuesdays and Saturdays 8am-2pm
June 5 through October
www.bessemercity.com

Foothills Farmers Market (Shelby, Cleveland Co.)
111 S. Washington St.
Wednesdays and Saturdays 8am-12pm
Fridays 2pm-6pm
May through November
www.foothillsfarmersmarket.com