Get Weekly Boxes of Local Produce
Enroll in Duke Mobile Farmers Market for produce, fish and more
As someone who is not a natural cook, Jason Elliott appreciates having a box full of produce plopped into his hands once a week. It’s even better those fruits and vegetables come with recipes and tips on how to prepare them.
Elliott, assistant director of Sustainable Duke, has enrolled in the Duke Mobile Farmers Market Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program for the past three years, receiving a weekly box from the Duke Campus Farm. Elliott and his partner try not to waste any produce they receive. Rather than throw out stalks of swiss chard, they use it as a base for hummus.
“Most of the produce is things in the store that you would know how to use, but they’re fresher because they’ve been harvested that day,” Elliott said. “Everything just tastes better.”
The mobile farmers market is back this Fall with four vendors – Bella Bean Organics, Coon Rock Farm, Duke Campus Farm and Walking Fish Co-op – selling weekly shares of produce, seafood, honey, jams and more with prices as low as $20 per week. Bella Bean sells year around, Coon Rock Farm runs from October to mid-March, Duke Campus Farm Sept. 22 through Nov. 17, and Walking Fish Co-Op from Sept. 19 to Dec. 7.
For the fall season, customers can expect hearty root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, turnips, beets and parsnips.
Duke Campus Farm added a new pick-up location this season. Customers can now collect their boxes from 12-4:30 p.m. Fridays at Smith Warehouse in addition to after 12 p.m. Tuesdays at the farm. Students, staff and faculty on East, West or Central campuses can ride to the farm for free as part of a partnership between Duke and Uber.
Vendors and pick-up options are:
- Bella Bean Organics – 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays at Duke Gardens. Home delivery also available.
- Coon Rock Farm – 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays at Duke Gardens
- Duke Campus Farm – 12-4:30 p.m. Fridays at Smith Warehouse and after 12 p.m. Tuesdays at the farm.
- Walking Fish Co-Op – 4:15-5:15 p.m. Thursdays at Duke Gardens
Though the season just started for two vendors (Duke Campus Farm and Walking Fish Co-Op), they will add new customers with a pro-rated cost, said LIVE FOR LIFE health education specialist Cassandra Callas.
Callas subscribes to the Duke Campus Farm and shares her subscription with her roommate.
“A lot of us really get into ruts and patterns,” Callas said. “I think the mobile market is a great way to differentiate what you’re eating and your meal planning.”