new! cape fear valley growers guild market

The desire of citizens to be able to purchase produce and fruit for their families on a local scale continues to grow daily.  With benefits ranging from health, to economics, to social impacts, citizens are looking for local markets around every corner.

Cape Fear Valley Health System would like to help citizens with this search and is crossing new territory with the rollout of the Cape Fear Valley Growers Guild Market.  The first of its kind for the hospital, the weekly market will feature Health System affiliates selling local produce and plants grown in their own gardens and on their own farms. Membership in The Growers Guild is open to individuals directly associated with the Health System, including employees, retirees, volunteers, physicians and their immediate family members.  But the entire community may shop at the Growers Guild Market.

The market will feature locally grown produce, which must be grown by the Guild Member.  No reselling will be allowed.  The Guild Members are encouraged to grow and sell organic produce, but this is not a requirement for participation in the market at this time.

Spending your hard earned dollars with a local grower allows the grower to reinvest in their local operation, thereby keeping our dollars circulating in our communities.  Your other option, of course, is to buy from local supermarkets whose supply is generally accumulated from the lowest bidder, which in some instances could be thousands of miles away.

Speaking of thousands of miles away, each mile our produce is trucked, flown and sailed across the world to our local supermarkets only increases carbon emissions.  By buying locally, you ensure the trip your produce makes is the least harmful for our environment.

Consider your farmers market visit a social experience; one where you meet others interested in support of local growers.  Also, take the time to get to know the growers by name.  You would be surprised how interested your growers are in getting to know you better as well.  As with any business, customer service is very important and it is the grower’s desire to provide you not only with great service, but with the products you most desire.  Don’t be afraid to ask what other goodies they can offer on your next visit as well.  It may very well surprise you.

With that being said, visit the Cape Fear Valley Growers Guild Market located in the Melrose employee parking lot on Thursdays from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm from now until October 16th.  If you have further questions or would like to know more about this new effort, contact Sandra Johnson, Employee Benefits Coordinator, at 910-609-6971 or Jackie Hough, Raft Swamp Farms, at 910-977-0950.