Just in time for National Farmers Market Week, downtown Raleigh welcomes the Moore Square Market back to its Moore Square home soil every Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m.

From August 7 through October 16, the sprawling farmers market will take over the section of the four-acre square running from South Blount to East Martin streets.

As the food-foraging festivities kick off today, patrons can enjoy live music from Triangle musicians the Counterclockwise String Band on the stage just outside of Square Burger, while shopping for farm-fresh fruits and veggies, local dairy products, and other delectable provisions.

A selection of farm fresh produce.

Moore Square Market has expanded to include six new vendors to its repertoire of North Carolina farms, local food shops, and artisans. The hump day offering features a diverse mix of natural and organic homegrown goods from N.C. purveyors like hardwood log cultivated shiitake and oyster mushrooms from Shrooms 2 Grow, and sustainable produce and flowers from Allis Farm in Benson (which, heads-up, is cash-only) or Many Hands Farm in Louisburg.

At JonesN’4, visitors can hire catering services from Andie Jones, a personal chef and baker, or choose from a selection of spices, dips, soups, wine jelly, and everyone’s favorite Southern classic, pimento cheese.

And if you’re jonesing for a real N.Y.-style bagel, Bold Bagels, sells the good dough inspired by the head chef’s Big Apple upbringing. 

Since June, the Wednesday late-afternoon market, which is organized by the Downtown Raleigh Alliance in collaboration with Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources, had stationed the vendors in City Market on Parham Street while renovations to the long-awaited reopening of Moore Square were being completed.

The city of Raleigh spent upwards of $13 million revitalizing the Raleigh landmark, which recently reopened last Friday, August 2.  

“We’re very excited for the move to Moore Square,” David Moore, the placemaking and activations manager for the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, said in a statement. “Our goal for the market is to better welcome all downtown residents and employees and provide access to fresh foods and artisan products.”

Since 1792, and until the park closed for remodeling in 2017, Moore Square, one of five designated public green spaces—or squares—in Raleigh, has been considered a community gathering place for residents and visitors alike. The market aims to be as welcoming, inclusive, and accessible as possible, which is why it accepts EBT and will match the first ten dollars that every EBT shopper spends each week.

Support independent local journalism. Join the INDY Press Club to help us keep fearless watchdog reporting and essential arts and culture coverage viable in the Triangle.