Columbus County Farmers Market faces uncertain future

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — Questions surrounding the future of a Columbus County farmers market are raising concerns about access to fresh food, particularly for senior citizens, as some markets thrive while others struggle to attract vendors and customers.

At the Wrightsville Beach Farmers Market, local vendors sell everything from fresh produce to jewelry, plants, and crafts, creating a gathering place for shoppers looking to support local businesses.

“Not only is everyone local, but like, if someone comes in for produce, they could also come in for jewelry or plants,” said Alea Simburger, a vendor at the Wrightsville Beach Farmers Market.

Simburger works at her boss’ Raw Salsa booth at the market, where vendors offer a variety of locally made and grown products.

“Enjoy socially gathering, to get a coffee, to get salsa, to get some produce throughout the week and to be supporting locally and it’s like unique,” said Simburger.

From seasonal produce to flowers and baked goods, the market continues to draw customers. But in Columbus County, the closure of a community farmers market has left vendors and residents questioning how the operation will move forward.

“The sudden closure of the market on October 15th has created real hardships,” said Brandon Poole, co-owner of Lumber River Produce Company, to Columbus County commissioners about the market’s closure.

“Local businesses have lost an important source of income; consumers have lost convenient access to fresh local products,” said Poole.

Poole said the market serves as an important resource for the community, particularly for people who depend on convenient access to locally grown food.

“Having that market open and having that resource available for the community, it’s kind of a staple,” said Poole.

The market has also faced reported leadership issues, creating uncertainty for vendors about its operations and payment procedures.

Sean Adams, a vendor at the market, said to commissioners he has struggled to get clear instructions following a leadership change.

“Since the former president stepped down, I have not been given a clear point of contact or instructions on who I should pay my rent to. I want to meet my responsibilities, but I need clear directions,” said Adams.

The market reopened last weekend, and vendors are hopeful new leadership will help streamline operations and provide greater clarity moving forward.

But even with those changes, Poole said rural communities face a broader challenge: attracting enough customers to sustain a farmers market.

“I would love nothing more than for us to have something here in Columbus County that’s open seven days a week. We just don’t have the population to support a market like that being open,” said Poole.

With fewer rural markets available, Poole said some farmers are turning to selling fruits and vegetables directly from stands on their own properties.

For vendors and customers alike, the challenges facing the Columbus County market underscore the importance of maintaining access to fresh, locally grown food while finding a sustainable way to keep community markets operating.