CityView Magazine

36 June 2022 The City Market at the Museum is not the only farmers market around. Several others can be found in the Fayetteville-Sandhills region with a bit of searching. One of the newest is Sandhills Made Market at Sweet Valley Ranch. Located at 2990 Sunnyside School Road in Fayetteville, the market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first and third Saturday of the month through October. The 300-acre market bills itself as a sustainable farm and ranch where nature meets adventure. The ranch description stems from the roughly 350 animals that call it home. But it's the 65 acres of agricultural fields and farmers market that most visitors get excited about. Boasting nearly 50 vendors and six to eight food trucks regularly, the market offers everything from fresh produce and baked goods to beer and wine. Shoppers and bargain hunters can browse a large selection of handmade embroidery, floral art, home decor, handmade jewelry and woodwork. Pet owners can shop for treats and clothing for their furry loved ones. Sandhills Made Market also offers children and the young-at-heart seasonal activities and entertainment such as its Springtime Adventures inflatable park, carnival games and go-kart nature trail rentals. Less daring visitors can opt to take a 30-minute guided tour of the market's elaborate trail system. To learn more, go to sweetvalleyranchnc.com or call 844-622-FARM or 844-622-3276. Listed below are some other popular farmers markets in the area: Dirtbag Ales Farmers Market, 5435 Corporation Drive, Hope Mills • Locally grown fresh produce and other products from the Sandhills region, including vegetables and homemade jellies and jams. An open-air market features live music, children's entertainment and a large selection of adult beverages. • Open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday; closed July 3 • Contact: dirtbagales.com or 910-426-2537 Gillis Hill Road Produce, 2701 Gillis Hill Road • Located in western Cumberland County, this family-owned venture is a bustling market that offers a wide variety of fresh produce, homemade jellies and jam, food novelties, and farm and landscaping supplies. Its annual strawberry picking is one of the largest in the region. It also offers a daily and holiday-themed children's playground area and hayrides. • Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; closed Sunday • Contact: gillishillfarm.com or 910-867-2350 T&T Farmers Market, 3755 Cumberland Road • Features seasonal, locally grown produce, including strawberries, peas, butterbeans and okra, as well as locally made jellies, jams, ciders and pickled foods. • Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Sunday • Contact: facebook.com/TandTfarmermarket/ or 910-425-6318 Pate's Farm Market, 6411 Raeford Road • Features locally grown produce, a tree farm, floral nursery and hot-bar menu for diners. Lunch plates start at $11 with one meat and two sides. Current lunch menu options include spaghetti, chicken pot pie and fried chicken. • Contact: patesfarmmarket.com or 910-426-1575 Murchison Road Community Farmers Market, 1047 Murchison Road • Billed as a collaboration with the Fayetteville State University Development Corp., the market strives to be a community partner by bringing together the highest quality local growers and food artisans in the Murchison Road community. • Open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday • Contact: facebook.com/fayettevillefreshnc/ or 845-216-1242 MORE FARM BOUNTY COMPILED BY DONNIE BYERS Catherine Linton is a museum specialist who oversees the market, which is held on the museum property. "e only criteria we require,'' Linton says, "is that everything must be home-grown or homemade.'' She says the vendors probably sell more cras than produce and edible goods. at diversity of products is one of the attractions of this and other markets. You may start your day looking for fresh chicken or sweet potatoes and strawberries, but a potted plant or colorful drying towel might catch your eye. ere are about 40 vendors who rotate through, some more regularly than others, Linton says. On average, there are 25 each week. ere is no vendor fee to participate in the City Market. Potential vendors must submit an application to the museum staff. Don Johnson of Fayetteville is another vendor who has operated at the market for more than a decade. Adults and children stop by for a hot dog, soda, popcorn or cup of coffee. He casually talks with those who make a purchase, as well as the other vendors. ere is a sense of community among those who work here. "We get to know each other,'' Johnson says. While he and others have been operating from the downtown market for years, there are new vendors joining the lineup all the time, he says "Come and check us out,'' he says. "Come

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