Freshlist launches weekly farmers market near Uptown
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Freshlist, one of Charlotte's main food hubs, now hosts a weekly farmers market at its warehouse in the Belmont neighborhood near Uptown.
Why it matters: The Monday market is a way to buy locally sourced food and support Carolina farmers, especially as a worsening drought shows little sign of easing.
Catch up quick: Freshlist, a wholesaler supplying locally sourced produce, dairy and grains, has built its business around serving more than 100 Charlotte restaurants since launching in 2014.
- Now, it's opening its warehouse to the public with a weekly market in an effort to better connect with the community, CEO Anthony Mirisciotta tells Axios.
Flashback: The market officially opened in January after testing the idea with a small but wildly popular pumpkin patch last fall.
- "It's been such a fun way to engage with our neighbors," Mirisciotta says.
- Demand has already pushed organizers to expand their hours — they're now open 2-6pm on Mondays.
What to expect: Inventory changes weekly based on what's in season and what neighbors are asking for.
- Mirisciotta says those requests often include items you wouldn't find during a typical grocery store run.
- When I visited this week, some of those unique finds included sunchokes and ramps (a wild-foraged onion) in addition to spring produce, like blueberries, strawberries, asparagus, cabbage, and cilantro.
- Beyond produce, vendors offer meats, eggs, cheeses and artisan goods like pasta, ice cream, peanut butter, olive oil and jams.
Zoom out: Everything on display comes from Freshlist's network of local and regional farms, including Bush-N-Vine in York, S.C., Bluebird Farm in Morganton and Wild Hope Farm in Chester, S.C.
Reality check: Prices aren't necessarily cheaper than the grocery store, but they're competitive, and directly support local farmers, which Mirisciotta says is the company's priority.
- Accessibility is also top of mind. "We want to offer things that are reasonable and approachable to everyone in our community," he adds, noting they hope to accept SNAP/EBT as the market continues to expand.
- "The dream is to open every day of the week," Mirisciotta says.
Zoom out: North Carolina's drought is intensifying as planting season begins. Dry soil and dropping groundwater levels are already straining farmers across the state.
- These markets offer a direct way to support them.
If you go: The Freshlist neighborhood market runs from 2-6pm on Mondays at 1300 Pegram St.
- There's free parking. Cards, cash and mobile pay are accepted.
Go deeper: 22 Charlotte-area farmers markets to visit