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Raleigh’s Freshest Finds

Raleigh’s Freshest Finds

by | Jul 28, 2026 | Eat, July/August 2026

Feeling cyclospora paranoia? Go for farm-to-table. 

As cyclospora cases keep climbing, even the least squeamish shoppers may be giving fresh produce the side-eye. In just two weeks since Wake County started tracking the numbers, the local case count has increased to 435—a difference that feels startling, especially while national case estimates inch upwards.*

But before you swear off summer berries, the cure for produce paranoia might be just around the corner—literally.

According to the NC Cooperative Extension, now’s a good time to turn to local produce—which often skips the longer supply chains that have been linked to large-scale outbreaks. Better yet, it usually comes with a friendly face who can answer questions about how it’s grown, giving you that extra peace of mind when you make your purchase.

So grab your reusable tote and reroute your Sunday grocery run via eight Raleigh spots where fresh, local produce is always in season.

State Farmers Market
An oldie but a goodie, the State Farmers Market is a must-stop for everything from newly-picked fruits—think peaches, blueberries and blackberries—to just about any staple veggie. The best part: Vendors grow 50% to 100% of offerings themselves, but those who supplement their stands must source from approved local growers. With farms repping from across NC, it’s the classic spot for stocking up on fresh finds.
Where: 1201 Agriculture St.
When: Sundays, 8am–5pm; Mondays–Saturdays, 5am–7pm

Midtown Farmers’ Market
Midtowners and shopaholics, this one’s for you. The Midtown Farmers’ Market, held at the Commons in North Hills, brings together local farmers, makers and food producers for a convenient dose of seasonal produce close to home. With every vendor listed on its website, shoppers can put a face to the farm—and know, per the Market’s guidelines, that each pick is grown exclusively by its seller.
Where: 4160 Main at North Hills St.
When: Saturdays, 8am–12pm

Black Farmers’ Market
Championing Black farmers, growers and food entrepreneurs, the Black Farmers’ Market offers fresh local produce that directly supports a more equitable food system in the Triangle. While it rotates to Durham on 1st & 3rd Sundays, the Cap City plays host the other two weeks of the month. Rain or shine (and they mean it!), Raleighites can shop fruits, veggies and nuts produced directly by the farms selling them.
Where: 1436 Rock Quarry Road
When: 2nd and 4th Sundays, 1–4pm

Raleigh City Farm’s Farmstand
This urban stop proves produce doesn’t have to travel far. The “pay what you can” farmstand is located on the very same lot their produce is grown on. Not only does their harvest menu rotate weekly, but they’re very transparent about their growing practices—meaning the most even type A Raleighites can get an education and groceries in one stop.
Where: 800 N. Blount St.
When: Wednesdays, 4–7pm

Porter Farms and Nursery’s Farm Market
Farm-to-table doesn’t get much more literal than this. Family-owned Porter Farms & Nursery has been growing fruits, veggies and flowers south of Raleigh for decades—and thanks to its two roadside farm markets, you can shop straight from the source. From seasonal picks like corn, tomatoes and okra to you-pick options in the spring and fall, consider this stall your excuse to take the scenic route home.
Where: 7615 Ten-Ten Road
When: Sundays–Fridays, 9am–7pm; Saturdays, 8am–7pm

Weaver Street Market
Can’t squeeze a produce-only run into your week? Weaver Street Market has Downtown workaholics and residents covered. The community-owned co-op partners with NC farmers whenever possible, stocking fresh veg alongside your everyday grocery staples. While you won’t be chatting with the grower at the register, you can still look up the local farms behind what you’re buying—and keep your shopping cart close to home.
Where: 404 W. Hargett St.
When: Sundays–Saturdays, 8am–9pm

*As of press time

Cyclospora Hits Raleigh

Cyclospora Hits Raleigh

by | Jul 20, 2026 | Buzz, July/August 2026

Here’s what to know—and do—about the microscopic, diarrhea-causing parasite.

As one Raleighite warned online: “It’s official: watery, explosive diarrhea has hit the Raleigh area.”

That resident is referring to cyclosporiasis—the illness that’s on everyone’s tongue right now. Like bird flu and measles, it’s not new on the contractable-disease roster. But what is new is the multistate outbreak that’s causing some consumers to shun summer produce.

According to the CDC, 1,645 domestically-acquired cases have been confirmed across the country.* And while North Carolinians are faring better than our Midwest neighbors in Michigan—who are experiencing the brunt of the outbreak—things are pretty, well, crappy around these parts.

As of July 20, Wake County was bearing the brunt of North Carolina’s outbreak, accounting for 295 of the state’s 307 confirmed cases and five of its 14 hospitalizations—helping propel NC to No. 3 in the nation for reported cases.

WakeMed Urgent Care Medical Director Dr. Christopher Chao, who has been practicing medicine in the Triangle for 20-plus years, doesn’t recall seeing cyclosporiasis in his clinics before this summer—even during the past two years, when the case numbers saw a similar spike.

But by July 13, that had changed. “I had eight patients come in asking for diarrhea Cyclospora testing,” he shares. “I tested about a third of them, and I know one of them was negative and one of them was positive. But prior to this week, I was four for four.”

Dr. Chao says that Cyclospora, the microscopic parasite that gives the illness its name, causes one hallmark symptom: “persistent, multiple bouts of watery diarrhea, lasting 10 to 12 days or longer.” Others include stomach cramps, bloating, nausea and more.

In the U.S., Cyclospora typically gets around via infected food or water. Historic culprits include fresh herbs, berries and leafy veggies—all key players in most people’s diet. Bagged, precut greens can also carry it—which has turned out to be the source of a recently identified five-state cluster, per the CDC. However, in NC, the exact source is still unknown.*

So, does that mean it’s time to avoid the produce aisle like the plague—literally?

Dr. Chao, along with Dr. Ryan Lamb, medical director of UNC Health REX’s emergency department, share the same answer: No. At least, not for most.

Why? Dr. Lamb points to the non-lethal nature of cyclosporiasis. “It doesn’t tend to be invasive or cause severe infections,” he explains. “It’s just going to chronically deplete you of the nutrients and the volume you need, and so when that keeps happening, you get sicker. But when you see people being admitted, it’s usually going to be as a result of them having some other condition.”

For those immunocompromised people, Dr. Chao gets skipping on the salad mixes or other high-risk produce. But to others, he simply suggests the “common, basic precautions”—like keeping your food refrigerated, aggressively washing produce and cooking meals to the appropriate internal temperature.

“It’s a very low incidence of people that have this illness,” Dr. Lamb points out—read: 295 confirmed cases in Wake County compared to the 1.26 million people living here.* Though now might be a good time, he says, to check out a local farmers market, where he believes cases are less likely to be coming from. And if you do start to experience that watery, explosive diarrhea: “we can take care of you if you get sick, and you’ll be fine.”

*As of press time