Downtown Waterfront Market

Farmers’ Market:  The Heart of the Community

 

Farmers’ Markets are the heartbeat of any community, and entering into the Downtown Waterfront Market allows you to feel why ElizabethCity is the “Harbor of  Hospitality.”  Ask anyone in this quaint little town, where they will be on Saturday morning, and more than likely you will hear, “shopping at the waterfront market.”  Positioned right downtown on the Pasquotank River, what better way to spend a warm summer morning than buying local produce, arts and crafts, flowers, and tasting from your neighbors. The Downtown Waterfront Market provides various local farmers who are more than willing to share their knowledge and experience about farming techniques, their produce, and even swapping recipes from their very own kitchens. 

 

My love for the farmers’ market developed on a journey to live an environmentally conscious and healthier lifestyle.  It became very important to me know where, as well as how, my food was grown.  I have learned so much from Ginger at Coinjock Creek Farms, who prides herself in providing, “all 100% Local produce grown within the North Eastern North Carolina region.”  My first encounter with Ginger, who also has her husband and mom helping out at the market, was her giving me a jar of pickled peppers that she claimed made a “to die for relish” on hot dogs.  I went home, put the peppers in the food processor (as she instructed), and made a relish for potato salad; and it was “to die for”!  She also taught me the importance of buying produce in season.  I gained knowledge, some great produce, a free jar of peppers, and a new friend at the Downtown Waterfront Market

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 Across the perfectly manicured grass from Coinjock Creek Farms, I found Mrs. Debbie Roberts at the wonderful Providence Preserves stand.  Mrs. Roberts has her table set up for the taste testing of her delightfully delicious jams, jellies, preserves, salsas, and more.  Immediately after tasting her salsa I grabbed a jar, and could have easily spent my entire farmers’ market allowance at her grocery stand.  Providence Preserves was created from the heart warming roots of a family tradition being passed down by grandmothers, mothers, aunts, and mother –in-laws, and you can quite literally taste the love in these homemade goodies.  Mrs. Roberts candidly shared memories of learning how to can and preserve, as a young girl, from the lovely women of her family.  How fitting the name, Providence Preserves, as Mrs. Robert’s belief that she is in, “God’s providential care,” and she lives on Providence  Road.

 Elizabeth City’s Downtown Waterfront Market is full of neighbors sharing their passions and talents in homegrown produce, homemade goods, and handcrafted ideas.  There is a local restaurant owner who sometimes provides cooking demonstrations, the SPCA bring out pets that need to be adopted into good homes, and sometimes there are live musical performances.  There are a plethora of stands providing everything from grocery totes by Jacqueline Pearce at “Sew Jackie” to handcrafted jewelry and accessories by Sam Martin at “Pinup Vixen Beads”.  The Downtown Waterfront Market provides a sense of community establishment, where you can shop knowing the personal inspiration behind the creation of your purchases, learn new ways of cooking fresh produce, and know that the money you are spending is generated back into your community.

 

 

 

 

By:  Shurica Poyner

 

 

Where you can find everyone mentioned: 

Elizabeth City Downtown Waterfront Market at http://www.downtownwaterfrontmarket.com/

 Mrs. Debbie Robert’s delightfully delicious preserves at http://www.providencepreserves.com/.

Ginger’s fresh produce at http://www.coinjockcreek.com/

Sam Martin’s awesome creations at http://www.etsy.com/shop/PINUPVIXENBEADS