Spring weather ushers in more than warmer temperatures. It also brings crops of fruits and vegetables and the return of summer farmers markets.

We get more benefits from the vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants and fiber from produce the fresher it is. And local food has a quicker trip from the farm to your fork. That means local food requires less fuel, preservatives and middle-men.

Plus, money spent on local food goes back into the local economy.

Lincoln County has convenient resources to feed families straight from the source.



Know Your Farms

For convenience and guaranteed fresh produce every week, sign up for Know Your Farms Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. The spring program runs from April to June. The summer program runs July to September.

Participants purchase a share in the program to supplement locally grown produce. A small share provides fruits and vegetables for one to two people, and large shares support two to four people. Shares include vegetables, grains, fruits and occasionally condiments depending on what is the best, fresh and available that week. Shares start at $231.

The program also offers eggs, beef, pork and poultry as an add-on option. Shares come from different farms, primarily Barbee Farms, KC Farms, Cottonmill Mushrooms, Commonwealth Farms and Davis & Son Orchard.

Know Your Farms distributes shares locally at Freshly in Denver, but also has pick-up sites in Davidson, Huntersville, and Plaza-Midwood.

For more information or to sign up, visit www.KnowYourFarms.com.

Avery Gardens

3189 Dave Heafner Road, Crouse

704-735-4078

Open as available, call for appointment

Products: Apples, blackberries, blueberries, sweet corn, muscadine grapes, honey, melons, peaches, pumpkins and traditionally grown vegetables.

Purchase locations: Lincolnton Farmers Market.

Berry Hill Farm

2400 Hudson Poultry Road, Iron Station

704-748-1488

Open in May

Products: Blackberry and strawberry ciders, strawberries.

Purchase locations: Denver Farmers Market and Maple Springs Farm in Dallas.

Big Oak Farm

2749 Sherrill Cove Way, Denver

704-785-0038

Open all year, Monday-Saturday

Products: Beef

Purchase locations: Farmers markets in Gastonia, Davidson and Conover

Cheval Farmstead Dairy

2380 Cat Square Road, Vale

704-240-9353

Open all year, by appointment only

Products: Artisan goat cheeses, goat yogurts and chocolate goat milk pudding.

Purchase locations: Atherton Mills Market, Hickory Farmers Market, and Davidson Farmers Market. Products also available at Sweet Vine Winery in Denver.

Davis & Son Orchard

922 North N.C. 18, Lawndale

704-276-2647

www.davisandsonorchard.com

Open May-December

Products: Apples, blackberries, blueberries, apple cider, pear cider, muscadine grapes, honey, ice cream, jams and jellies, melons, peaches, pumpkins, strawberries and traditionally grown vegetables.

Purchase locations: Roadside stand at farm, Vendor at the Hickory and Denver farmers markets.

Double B Farms

7311 Flay Road, Cherryville

704-435-1073 or 704-472-2976

Open for pick-up of advance orders only. July 1-Oct. 1

Products: Apples, applesauce, blackberries, blackberry, strawberry and raspberry purees, cucumbers and pickles, squash and sweet corn.

Purchase locations: Vendor at the Lincolnton, Denver, and Gastonia farmers markets. Advance orders can be picked up at the farm.

Gilcrest Natural Farm

1164 Lowes Lane, Iron Station

704-308-1431

http://gilcrestnc.com

Open all year, call before visiting

Products: Beef, eggs, chicken and traditionally grown vegetables.

Purchase locations: Advance orders and vendor at Davidson, Charlotte Regional-Yorkmont, and Cramerton farmers markets.

Grateful Growers Farm

3006 Mack Ballard Road, Denver

828-234-5182

www.ggfarm.com

Open by appointment

Products: Pork

Purchase locations: Vendors at the Lincoln County Farmers Market in Denver, Charlotte Regional, Matthews and Davidson. Meat market open on site by appointment.

Houser Farm

6922 Houser Farm Road, Vale

704-435-3640

Open May-September, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Products: Blackberries, blackberry cider, strawberries, jams and jellies, sweet corn, melons and traditionally grown vegetables.

Purchase locations: Advance orders and vendors at Denver Farmers Market.

Leonhardt Farms

2506 Leonhardt Road Cherryville, NC 28021

704-300-6357

Open May-October 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Products: Sweet corn, melons, pumpkins, traditional vegetables, heirloom tomatoes and white cucumbers.

Purchase locations: Vendor at Denver Farmers Market.

Webb’s Orchard

1110 N.C. 18 N., Lawndale

704-276-1654

Open June through mid September

Products: Honey, jams and jellies, melons, peaches and traditionally grown vegetables.

Purchase locations: Roadside stand and vendor at the Mount Holly Farmers Market.

Yum Yum Gardens

3875 Wilfong Road, Lincolnton

980-241-9099

www.goodwoodpizzaovens.com

Open all year, call for appointment

Products: Asparagus, sweet corn, eggs, shiitake mushrooms, organic vegetables and pumpkins

Purchase locations: Advance orders and on-site.