Our $40 Day at the N.C. State Farmers Market

The N.C. State Farmers Market in Raleigh was one of the first places my husband and I visited when we arrived--childless--in North Carolina 12 years ago. Not much has changed--and that's a good thing. Earthy aromas flow through stand after stand of vibrant produce--from fleshy red tomatoes, to plump juicy blueberries. Sunflowers tower over colorful bouquets of daisies, dahlias and peonies; and farmers offer samples of fresh peaches, ripe cantaloupe and other fruity pleasures as you walk through the marketplace.

I visited the farmers market with two of my three children today while my younger son attended a NetWorks basketball camp at the Town of Apex's Community Center. We brought home peaches, tomatoes, blueberries, blackberries, cilantro and sunflowers. We also enjoyed a cold coke and chicken fillet sandwich from the Market Grille--and ice cream for dessert. All in all, we spent $40--not bad for a morning filled with loads of fun, a delicious lunch and farm fresh treats. Here are some photos of our day at the N.C. State Farmers Market.