Catawba County Public Health’s Farmers Market is returning for its 12th season this Thursday, June 6th. They are offering fresh produce from local farmers and other activities for the community.
The market’s main goal is to offer a convenient way for people to purchase and consume local farm-fresh fruits and vegetables and throughout the season, farmers will have available ripe summer crops like tomatoes, squash and zucchini, beans, peaches and berries.
The market is open weekly to the public and cash, debit cards, SNAP/EBT, WIC and senior farmers market benefits are all accepted. The market operates each Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. from June through September. It is held, weather permitting, in the Public Health front parking lot at 3070 11th Ave. Drive SE in Hickory. Conveniently located off Fairgrove Church Road, behind Catawba Valley Medical Center, the market has ample parking and is accessible by Greenway Transportation bus.
According to a news release from Catawba County, the market is just one way Public Health and other community partners are working to ensure access to nutritious foods, which has been a health priority in Catawba County for about a decade and was selected as a top health concern again in the 2023 Community Health Assessment, which was completed earlier this year.
Because fresh fruits and vegetables offer excellent nutrition, certain eligible Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clients receive Farmer’s Market Nutritional Program benefits when available to supplement their WIC food benefits with fresh, local produce during the summer months. Catawba County WIC clients interested in receiving farmers market benefits this year may call (828) 695-5884 for more information.
Through the support of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, the market can offer funds to match purchases for individuals who use SNAP/EBT or WIC Farmer’s Market benefits. Some limitations apply.
