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Get Fresh Produce - To Go

Duke Mobile Farmers Market returns this week until fall

Duke community members can now sign up for
Duke community members can now sign up for "CSAs," or boxes of produce from local farmers, as part of the Duke Mobile Farmers Market.
By Bryan Roth

Getting farm-fresh fruits and vegetables has always been as easy as “grab and go” at the Duke Mobile Farmers Market, and this spring and summer, faculty and staff have increased options for getting local produce.

Along with eight farmers and vendors providing weekly pickup of food at Sarah P. Duke Gardens, the Mobile Farmers Market now has seven vendors who provide delivery services to home or work. The market connects customers to farmers for “community supported agriculture,” or CSAs, which provide a weekly “share” of farm items that Duke community members can purchase ahead of time.

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Throughout the growing season, participants are provided with a variety of options each week, from beets and peppers to eggs and free-range meat.

“Our mobile market eliminates the stress of shopping for healthy fruits and vegetables,” said Cassandra Callas, health education specialist with LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’s employee wellness program that sponsors the market. "Maintaining a balanced diet is easy with farmers coming directly to campus to deliver fresh produce and other locally-sourced products.”

Weekly pickup with the market’s eight farmers and vendors takes place between 4 and 6 p.m. each Tuesday at Sarah P. Duke Gardens, with limited pickup options from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at University Tower and 4:45 to 5:15 p.m. at Duke Raleigh Hospital. Deliveries from Walking Fish Cooperative and The Produce Box will take place on Thursdays at Duke Gardens.

Weekly prices for CSAs start at $18 and include enough produce to use for multiple family meals.

Here's how to sign up to participate in the Mobile Farmers Market:

  • Choose a farmer or vendor - Review information to find different products, quantities and prices.
  • Sign up directly with a farmer or vendor - Contact information is listed online and registration forms are available at each farmer or vendor's website. The forms include how to sign-up and how to make payments.

While the Mobile Farmers Market begins this week, some farmers and vendors will stagger their deliveries due to changes in growing schedules:

  • April 14: Brinkley Farms, Britt Farms, Coon Rock Farm and Veggie Van will begin delivering spring CSAs and offer limited table sales of fresh produce.  Fernrock Farms will attend with table sales of bedding, plants, perennials, herbs and cut flower bouquets.
  • April 16: Walking Fish Cooperative and The Produce Box will begin delivering spring CSAs on Thursdays.
  • May 5: Duke Campus Farm CSA begins with monthly produce box subscriptions.

In addition, a listing of year-round online vendors is available on the Mobile Farmers Market website. These options include delivery of pre-selected fruit, produce and meat to home or work sites for an additional fee.