Isn't it exciting! Yes, that is really a strawberry field and of course, we are all waiting for those juicy red berries to appear on the Farmers Market vendors' stands! Jamie Porter of Porter Farms reports: " They look good! But of course, depends on the weather when they will be ready!! But right now they look as good as can be!"

Kim Smith of TC Smith Produce says:" Strawberries are doing good. The colder weather has helped low them down. They should be ready around the first of April. “ Now doesn't that sound like tasty good news? If Mother Nature will just cooperate!

Commercial Kitchen Update:

As you can see, a lot of progress has been made. This project is NO WAY on a back burner, as someone has commented. A generator was put in so that in the event of another flood or electrical blackout, the kitchen would be able to serve meals to National Guardsmen and our citizens who have no way of feeding themselves. This is an expense we had not counted on, but one which will prove invaluable, if needed. On the left is the commercial kitchen, which will be inspected by the Health Department and the NCDept of Ag, and will be rented to home bakers and cooks who can then sell their cakes, cookies and most anything else they choose. This will not only enhance the variety of our market, it will give source of income to many. There has been quite a lot of interest in this aspect of our project. Cooks who cater could also use this kitchen. Parties, family reunions...lots of other occasions could be catered from there. You'll notice that there are NO APPLIANCES IN EITHER OF THESE PICTURES. THAT'S BECAUSE WE NEED TO RAISE ABOUT $55,000 MORE MONEY to complete their purchase.

Tammy works daily to find more grant sources that we would be eligible for. SO, if either your business or yourself is inclined to help out with this project, that would be greatly appreciated. No amount is too small. The picture on the right shows the wall of the added bathroom and the cabinets of the teaching kitchen. There will be tables and chairs in front of the cabinets you see. Tremendous progress has been made on this extensive undertaking, so NEVER say it has been put on the back burner. With the needed funding, it could be ready in a couple of months and put in use this spring or summer.

Pork skin man will be at the market every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

We are making plans for the upcoming spring, summer and fall market seasons and for the BBQ Festival on the Neuse, which will be held, as usual,  on the first weekend in May. Also, plans are underway for seasonal cooking demos that will be offered on some Tuesdays and Saturdays for the produce vendors at Historic Grainger Stadium when the Wood Ducks play as the Collard Greens, the Neuse Regional Beekeepers will return in August and we will initiate an exciting new EBT program when the market re- opens in the spring.

We would love to have more bakers, artists and craftsmen, so if you know of any, please ask them to contact Pat at pljenki3@ncsu.edu

We will keep you informed as to when strawberries are ready and the market re-opens for the spring, summer and fall seasons.