Catawba County News
Public Health Farmers Market
Published: May 19, 2025
Catawba County Public Health Farmers Market to Open June 5
HICKORY, NC – Catawba County Public Health’s Farmers Market is returning for its 13th season on June 5 and offers fresh produce from local farmers and activities for people of all ages.
Throughout the season, farmers will have ripe summer crops like tomatoes, squash and zucchini, beans, peaches and berries available for purchase. It is open weekly to the public and cash, debit cards, SNAP/EBT, WIC and senior farmers market benefits are all accepted. The market’s main goal is to offer a convenient way for people to purchase and consume local farm-fresh fruits and vegetables.
The market operates each Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. from June through September. Weather permitting, it is held in the Public Health front parking lot at 3070 11th Ave. Drive SE, Hickory, NC 28602. Conveniently located off Fairgrove Church Road, behind Catawba Valley Medical Center, the market has ample parking and is accessible by Greenway Transportation bus.
“The market is not only fun, but it also improves individual and community health for everyone by increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Catawba County Public Health Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Director Jeremy Stockton. “It also provides an economic benefit for Catawba County because it’s an opportunity for local farmers to sell produce directly to the community.”
The market is just one way Public Health and other partners are working to ensure access to nutritious foods, which has been a health priority in Catawba County for about a decade and was selected as a top health concern again in the 2023 Community Health Assessment.
“We are excited to offer a convenient way for people to eat fruits and vegetables that provide excellent nutritional benefits. Good nutrition is cornerstone for a healthy body, healthy family and healthy community,” said Stockton. “We hope the market continues to be a great source of healthy foods for our community for many more years to come.”
Certain eligible Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clients receive Farmers Market Nutritional Program benefits when available to supplement their WIC food benefits with fresh, nutritious, and local produce during the summer months. Catawba County WIC clients interested in receiving farmers market benefits this year may call (828) 695-5884 for more information.
The market also offers a way for individuals who use SNAP/EBT or WIC Farmers Market benefits to double the amount of money they can spend on produce. Some limitations apply.
“This allows families to purchase additional fruits and vegetables in the summer months and gives them the opportunity to make eating choices that benefit their families’ health,” said Stockton.
WIC is a federal supplemental nutrition program funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women and children up to age five. The program helps prevent nutrition-related problems in pregnancy, infancy and early childhood. WIC benefits are redeemable at participating food stores and farmers markets for fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, milk, juice, eggs, cheese and cereal, among other nutritious items. WIC also provides nutrition and breastfeeding counseling and makes referrals to other health and community resources.
Call (828) 695-5884 for WIC eligibility information and to make an appointment.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. More information: https://www.fns.usda.gov/civil-rights/usda-nondiscrimination-statement-other-fns-programs.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
Catawba County Public Health promotes and protects the health of all Catawba County residents through preventive services, innovative partnerships, and community health improvement initiatives. For more information, please call (828) 695-5800 or visit www.catawbacountync.gov/phealth.