The weather is warming up nicely, and farmers markets around Charleston are back in season once again. And you certainly have your pick of some outstanding ones. Farmers markets have seen a surge in popularity, for so many good reasons. They dovetail perfectly with the locavore/eat local movement, the farm-to-table trend, the eat healthy trend, and the shop local and support area businesses and farmers movement. That’s a lot of trends and movements, and they’re all good. According to Certified SC Grown, here’s some of what’s harvested fresh in the month of April: asparagus, beets, cabbage, cilantro, leeks, mixed leafy greens (collard/kale/mustard/turnip), onions, oriental vegetables, parsley, radishes and strawberries.
Downtown Farmers Markets
Charleston Farmers Market
The farmers markets around Charleston are especially good. The biggie around here, the downtown Charleston Farmers Market on Marion Square, has been named one of the ten best in America. It offers a neat blend of fresh local produce, unique Lowcountry and artisanal products, artistic crafts that are a cut above the norm, and creative food and beverage vendors. It’s also a lively Saturday morning scene at the green hub of the downtown peninsula. The Charleston Farmers Market kicks off its 2019 season this coming Saturday, April 13th at 8:00 a.m. with over 100 vendors. There will also be live music by Red Cedar Review and a special Plow-to-Chow event by Lowcountry Local First. This market happens Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. from April 13th – November 30th. Here’s the official website.
Post & Courier Farmers Market
One other farmers market downtown is a relative newcomer and takes place on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m. It’s The Post and Courier Farmers Market with 40 vendors, plenty of live music, food and beverages for sale. The locale is their Visitor’s Lot at the corner of King and Columbus Streets downtown (134 Columbus Street). There’s plenty of free parking available in the employee parking lot across the street.
Farmers Markets Closer to the Beach
You also have some other options that are closer to our luxury beach house rentals SC. By the way, shopping at farmers markets is a perfect way to stock your kitchen, put something fresh on the dinner table, and find a souvenir to take home from your stay in the Lowcountry.
Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
This market kicked off last week and takes place each Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. through September. It’s located in the special pavilion next to Moultrie Middle School at 645 Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. It’s a great spot to pick up fresh seafood or ready-made meals for dinner. There’s also food available to purchase and eat onsite.
Sullivan’s Island Farmers Market
This one, just over Breach Inlet from the Isle of Palms, also kicked off last week. It happens on Thursdays from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, now through June 27th. It’s a relative newcomer, having launched in 2016. This year they’ve changed the location. It used to be in front of the Poe Library. They’ve moved it to Stith Park, at 2050 Middle Street on Sullivan’s Island. Check it out, they’ll have about 30 tents as well as food trucks like The Immortal Lobster. You can check out their Facebook page for more details and who the vendors are this time around. Isle of Palms has a farmers market as well, but theirs happens in the fall. But fear not, there are many others that have also started or will shortly, including:
- Folly Beach Farmers Market (4-8 Mondays);
- Lowcountry Farmers Market (9-2 Saturdays at Tanger Outlet);
- Summerville Farmers Market (8-1 Saturdays);
- Johns Island Farmers Market (9:30-1:30 Saturdays);
- North Charleston Farmers Market (3-7 Thursdays);
- Sunday Brunch Farmers Market (11-3 Sundays at Charleston Pour House on Maybank Highway).
The Post & Courier did a piece recently about area farmers markets with all the details and links to each one. So support local farmers and businesses while getting a true taste of the Lowcountry. And remember to call us at EP when you’d like a luxury place to stay at the beach near Charleston. All best, Lowcountry Lisa your Isle of Palms vacation blogger