By Paul Brock
Imagine if you could combine the natural beauty of our lake and the surrounding mountains on a summer day with a chance to pick up some vine-ripened heirloom tomatoes, local okra, sweet corn, delicious honey, fresh eggs, mouth-watering local cheese, and succulent pasture raised pork? Along the way, you could visit with your neighbors, chat with local area farmers, and purchase hand-crafted soaps or a unique birdhouse. Imagine live music from the area’s talented musicians filling the air, while this savory scene prompts you to grab a bite at a local food truck or restaurant before heading home with your shopping bags full of nutritional goodness.
This scenario is becoming a reality this summer, thanks in part to a generous donation from the Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation to the Farmers Market of Lake Lure. Established over sixteen years ago to invest and grant funds to worthy causes and projects in the community, The Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation is helping kickstart the Farmers Market of Lake Lure this summer.
The Farmers Market is a collaboration between the Chamber of Hickory Nut Gorge and RutherfordBARN (Building Agriculture Relationships Now) a non-profit organization that supports a locally based food system, helps combat food instability, and manages the Farmers Market in Forest City on Saturdays, which supports farmers in providing fresh produce and meats local to Rutherford County residents. Folks from all these organizations, as well as the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority, have been working hard to bring the Farmers Market in Lake Lure to life.
Keeter Field, next to the historic Lake Lure Inn, will host the Farmers Market thanks to the kind donation of space by Lake Lure Properties. The Lake Lure Farmers Market will be held every Friday from 3-7pm, from June 3 through September 2, 2022 and will feature an exciting rotation of local food trucks and live entertainment. Vendor applications are being accepted until May 1, 2022. More details can be found at https://hickorynutchamber.org/farmers-market-lake-lure.
Thanks to all involved in making this happen. Get ready to come out and support this much anticipated, new addition to summers in Lake Lure.
