What’s Growing? A Lot. What’s New? Even More.

What’s Growing? A Lot. What’s New? Even More.

Summer has officially arrived, and Davidson County’s local food scene is in full swing! From farmers markets overflowing with fresh harvests to new products making their way into the community, there is always something exciting growing right here at home.

This time of year is one of the best for shopping local. Farmers are bringing in some of the season’s favorites, including juicy blueberries, ripe tomatoes, crisp lettuce, fresh herbs, colorful florals, and so much more. Each week brings something new as local growers continue to harvest the fruits (and vegetables!) of their hard work.

If you haven’t visited your local farmers market lately, now is the perfect time to stop by. The Thomasville and Lexington Farmers Markets are open every Saturday from 8 AM–12 PM, offering a chance to meet local farmers, discover fresh products, and support the people who help keep our community’s food system thriving.

Shopping locally means more than just bringing home fresh food. It helps strengthen our local economy, supports family farms, and keeps more of your food dollars right here in Davidson County. Plus, there’s nothing quite like enjoying produce that was grown just down the road and harvested at its peak.

👀 Something New is Coming to Piedmont Fresh

We have something exciting in the works! While we can’t share all the details just yet, we have a little surprise coming soon that we think our local food community will love.

Make sure you’re following the Piedmont Fresh Facebook page so you don’t miss the announcement. Trust us, you’ll want to stay tuned!

🌻 Grow Your Garden Knowledge

Want to take your gardening skills to the next level? Davidson County Cooperative Extension is offering a free Gardening Class Series this season for anyone interested in learning more about growing, landscaping, and caring for outdoor spaces.

Whether you’re planting your first backyard garden or looking to expand your knowledge, these workshops offer helpful information for gardeners of all experience levels. Topics include vegetable gardening, home fruits, healthy lawns, ornamentals, soils and composting, and pest management.

Classes will be held August 4 through September 8 from 9 AM–12 PM at the Davidson County Agricultural Center in Lexington. These workshops are a great opportunity to learn from local experts, connect with other gardeners, and build confidence in your own growing journey.

🌱 Register here: go.ncsu.edu/davidson-gardens

From the farmers who are harvesting fresh summer crops to the gardeners learning how to grow their own, there is always something new taking root in our community. We’re excited to continue sharing the stories, people, and products that make our local food system so special.

Stay tuned, because there’s always something growing!

The Taste of Summer: Heirloom Tomatoes & Recipe

The Taste of Summer: Why Local Heirloom Tomatoes Are Worth the Wait + A Fried Green Tomato Recipe

There is nothing quite like the first bite of a summer tomato picked fresh from the farm. Juicy, flavorful, and full of that unmistakable garden-fresh taste, locally grown tomatoes are one of the season’s most anticipated harvests.

While grocery store tomatoes can be convenient, many people notice a big difference when they taste a tomato grown locally and harvested at peak ripeness. Local farmers have the opportunity to grow varieties chosen for flavor, texture, and quality, bringing you tomatoes that are as beautiful as they are delicious.

This summer, Piedmont Fresh is excited to welcome fresh tomatoes from Correll Farms as they come into season. These locally grown tomatoes are harvested at the right time and delivered fresh to customers looking to enjoy the best flavors of summer.

What Makes Heirloom Tomatoes So Special?

Heirloom tomatoes are some of the most unique and flavorful varieties you can find. Unlike many commercial tomato varieties that are bred primarily for long-distance shipping and uniform appearance, heirlooms are often grown because of their incredible taste and history.

Many heirloom varieties have been saved and passed down through generations of farmers and gardeners. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, including deep purple, yellow, orange, green, and striped varieties.

Some popular heirloom varieties include Cherokee Purple, Brandywine, and Mortgage Lifter. Each variety has its own flavor profile, from sweet and fruity to rich and slightly smoky.

The best part? Their flavor shines with simple preparation. A slice of a ripe heirloom tomato with a little salt and pepper can be one of summer’s easiest and most delicious treats.

Why Do Local Tomatoes Taste Better?

The difference often comes down to how tomatoes are grown, harvested, and transported.

Farm-fresh tomatoes are typically:

• Picked when they are ripe and ready to eat

• Allowed more time on the vine to develop flavor

• Grown in smaller batches with attention to quality

• Available in unique varieties that are not commonly found in stores

Many grocery store tomatoes are harvested before they are fully ripe so they can handle transportation and stay fresh longer. While this helps tomatoes travel across the country, it can also mean missing out on some of the flavor that develops naturally while ripening on the vine.

When you buy local, you get the chance to enjoy tomatoes the way they were meant to be enjoyed: fresh, flavorful, and in season.

Celebrate Summer Tomatoes with Piedmont Fresh

Supporting local tomatoes means supporting the farmers who grow them. Every purchase helps keep dollars within our local food system and allows small farms to continue producing fresh, seasonal food for our communities.

Keep an eye on Piedmont Fresh’s weekly offerings as tomatoes become available from Correll Farms and other local producers. Whether you are making a fresh summer salad, topping a sandwich, or cooking up a classic Southern recipe, locally grown tomatoes are a delicious way to taste the season.

Crispy Southern Fried Green Tomatoes

Before tomatoes fully ripen into their sweet, juicy summer state, green tomatoes offer a delicious opportunity to enjoy a Southern classic: fried green tomatoes.

Ingredients:

• 4 medium green tomatoes

• 1 cup cornmeal

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional for extra crunch)

• 1 egg

• 1/2 cup buttermilk

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• Cooking oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Slice green tomatoes into approximately 1/4-inch slices.

2. Lightly sprinkle the slices with salt and allow them to sit for about 10 minutes. Pat dry with a paper towel.

3. In one bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

4. In another bowl, whisk together the egg and buttermilk.

5. Dip each tomato slice into the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and back into the coating mixture.

6. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.

7. Fry tomato slices for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.

8. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce, alongside grilled favorites, or enjoy them as a summertime snack.

Taste the Difference of Local

Summer tomatoes are here for a limited time, and there is no better way to enjoy them than fresh from local farms. Shop Piedmont Fresh for seasonal produce and support the farmers who bring fresh food from their fields to your table.

Understanding What Shapes Food Prices and Farm Costs

Understanding What Shapes Food Prices and Farm Costs

The real cost of growing food

Farming requires a wide range of inputs, and many of them have become significantly more expensive in recent years.

These include:

• Seed and planting materials

• Fertilizer and soil amendments

• Fuel for equipment and transportation

• Machinery, maintenance, and repairs

• Labor and seasonal workforce needs

USDA Economic Research Service data shows that farm production costs include both direct operating expenses (like fertilizer and fuel) and longer-term ownership costs such as machinery and labor. https://ers.usda.gov/data-products/commodity-costs-and-returns/documentation/

These combined costs help explain why even small changes in input prices can significantly affect overall farm operations.

Why many crops are just breaking even

For many farmers, especially in row crop production, margins are extremely tight.

North Carolina State University Extension uses enterprise budgets to help farmers evaluate real production costs and expected returns, including both variable and fixed expenses. https://cals.ncsu.edu/agricultural-and-resource-economics/extension/business-planning-and-operations/enterprise-budgets/

In some cases, crops may only break even once all production costs are accounted for. That means even strong yields do not always translate into strong profits.

This creates a challenging cycle where farmers must carefully weigh what to plant, how much to invest, and how to manage financial risk each season.

External pressures shaping farm costs

Beyond on-farm production expenses, agriculture is also influenced by broader supply chain and market conditions. Fuel prices, transportation costs, access to inputs, and overall market volatility can all impact what farmers pay and what consumers ultimately see at the market or grocery store.

These pressures are reflected across agricultural reporting and economic analysis, including USDA data on commodity costs and returns, which highlights how interconnected production systems are from input to market. https://ers.usda.gov/data-products/commodity-costs-and-returns/documentation/

These factors don’t operate in isolation—they ripple through the entire food system.

Livestock markets and shifting balance

While crop production has faced significant financial pressure, livestock has remained a relatively stronger sector in recent years. Market demand and pricing dynamics have helped support livestock producers in ways that crop markets have not experienced consistently. However, even in stronger sectors, producers still face rising feed, land, and operational costs that affect long-term sustainability.

Why this matters for North Carolina

Agriculture is a major part of North Carolina’s economy and identity. According to state agricultural statistics, agriculture and agribusiness contribute more than $100 billion to the state economy and support a significant portion of jobs and land use across the state. https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/agricultural-statistics/agricultural-statistics-economic-statistics

When input costs rise, the effects are felt not only by farmers but also by communities that rely on local food systems.

Higher production costs can influence:

• What farmers choose to grow

• How much food is available locally

• Pricing at farmers markets and food hubs

• Long-term farm viability

Why food prices keep shifting

Food pricing is influenced by more than just supply and demand. It is shaped by production costs, transportation, weather conditions, labor availability, and broader market forces.

USDA analysis of farm production costs highlights that changes in key inputs like fuel, fertilizer, and labor can directly affect overall farm returns, which eventually influence pricing throughout the supply chain. https://ers.usda.gov/data-products/commodity-costs-and-returns/documentation/

When input costs rise at the farm level, those changes eventually move through the entire food system.

Supporting farmers matters more than ever

Local farmers are working within tight margins while continuing to provide food, manage land, and support rural economies.

Choosing to support local agriculture helps:

• Keep more dollars in the local economy

• Strengthen regional food systems

• Support farm viability in a high-cost environment

• Maintain access to fresh, locally grown food

This is also why shopping local matters. When people choose farmers markets, food hubs, and local businesses that source from nearby farms, they are directly supporting the farmers growing the food and the businesses built around it. Those dollars stay in the community and help sustain the entire local food system. Every local purchase helps strengthen the connection between farmers, food businesses, and the community they serve. Understanding what goes into producing food helps build a clearer picture of why local agriculture matters—and why supporting it has long-term impact beyond a single transaction.