Updated
Updated · WITN · Jul 6
Eastern North Carolina Farmers Markets Raise Produce Prices as Dry Weather Strains Local Crops
Updated
Updated · WITN · Jul 6

Eastern North Carolina Farmers Markets Raise Produce Prices as Dry Weather Strains Local Crops

1 articles · Updated · WITN · Jul 6

Summary

  • Vendors across eastern North Carolina have raised produce prices to stay financially viable while trying to keep customers shopping at local farmers markets.
  • Higher growing and purchasing costs are driving the increases, with sellers saying they must match broader price inflation or risk losing money and going out of business.
  • Dry weather has further squeezed local harvests, forcing some smaller vendors to buy from outside suppliers to keep their stands stocked.
  • Market operators say continued local spending helps keep family farms running and recirculates money in the regional economy.

Insights

With rising prices and outside sourcing, can local farmers markets survive without losing their 'local' identity?
Beyond drought and inflation, are 'forever chemicals' the biggest hidden threat to North Carolina's family farms?