Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Charlie & Debbie

Grocer With North Carolina Roots Named Best Grocery Store In Nation By USA Today

Author Debbie Nance

We see “best of” awards all the time.  And, I get excited when it pertains to delicious restaurants or fun travel destinations.  But, you might think grocery store awards wouldn’t be as sexy.  Well, it’s an important part of our daily lives.  So, I also pay attention when I see that a grocer with North Carolina roots was named best grocery store in the nation by USA Today’s 10Best.

And, guess who it is.  If you’re thinking the obvious Harris Teeter, you’d be wrong.  In this particular survey, Greensboro, North Carolina based The Fresh Market is the one getting the attention this time.  According to readers of USA Today’s 10Best, The Fresh Market was best overall, as well as “Best Grocery Store Bakery” and “Best Grocery Store Deli.”

In my personal experience, I really enjoy The Fresh Market, too.  However, because their locations aren’t as plentiful and convenient to me, I don’t go there as often as I’d like.  I tend to seek them out for special occasion or holiday shopping.  They have beautiful produce and interesting specialty items.  It’s a great spot for picking up ready to eat entrees and fresh deli items for sure.  And, their bakery selection is unique and looks on par with any specialty bake shop.  I have a sweet tooth, so the bins of candy are hard to pass up.  Plus, if you’re entertaining, they have lovely fresh bouquets of flowers.

This grocer who landed atop USA Today’s 10Best list got its start in 1982 in Greensboro.  And, now it spans more than 20 states with 160 stores.  In referring to The Fresh Market, USA Today 10Best says, “The original Fresh Market was inspired by the food markets of Europe-a place where shoppers could have a more intimate and personalized experience than the warehouse-style supermarkets of the time.”

Congrats to The Fresh Market on their “Best Grocery Store” nod from USA Today 10Best.  See here for the entire 10Best List From USA Today.

7 Charlotte North Carolina Area Farms You Can Visit For Fresh Produce And Fun

If you’re anything like me the warmer weather has you craving some fresh air and maybe some fresh produce. Why make a run to the grocery store when you could go straight to the source? Plus that Instagram picture is much better from a farm instead of the produce aisle. And your kids? They can run around and it’s completely fine! Luckily for us, Charlotte North Carolina and the surrounding area are home to a number of farms that would make for a perfect spring outing!

And the best part? You can go back each season for a different experience at most of these locations. All while supporting local and family-owned businesses. So add these to your spring bucket list and they will sure to become must-do’s every year. While none of these farms are in the Charlotte city limits they are all a short drive in multiple directions. This includes York, Monroe, and Mooresville. So North and South Carolina farms! Have a spot you love that we didn’t include? Lets us know!

Here are 7 Charlotte area farms where you can visit and pick your own produce:

  • Black's Peaches

    1800 Black Highway, York, SC

    Black’s Peaches is a family-owned business that’s been going strong since 1923. Offering pick-your-own strawberries in May and Peaches June through September.

  • Bush-n-Vine Farm

    1650 Filbert Hwy, York, SC

    Bush-n-Vine offers pick-your-own strawberries in the spring, blueberries, blackberries, and peaches in the summer, and pumpkins in the fall. Other crops are available for purchase as well.

    Bush-n-Vine Farm

  • Carrigan Farms

    1261 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville, NC

    A 5th generation family-owned farm, Carrigan Farms specializes in growing quality fruits and vegetables. From asparagus to zucchini and everything in between, they are just a BIG garden. Currently, you can pick Asparagus with Strawberry season beginning April 30th. During the summer enjoy a swim in the quarry and stop by to pick apples and pumpkins in the fall.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwuk0Ghp29V/

    Carrigan Farms

  • Hall Family Farm

    445 West Rebound Road, Lancaster, SC 29720

    Hall Family Farm is proud to be family-owned and operated for over 70 years. They have fresh strawberries in the spring and gorgeous pumpkins in the fall. They also offer a fun family experience with hayrides, covered picnic tables, and activities for kids of all ages.

    After pickin’ and playin’, visit the sales tent for a refreshing cold slushie or unwind with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa. And while you’re there check out the cafe with hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, chicken tenders, fries, doughnuts, funnel cakes, ice cream, and other snacks.

    Hall Family Farm

  • Lineberger’s Maple Spring Farm

    906 Dallas Stanley Hwy, Dallas

    Lineberger’s is a family farm 90 years in the making! They have a farm store and offer pick your own strawberries, blackberries, peaches, pumpkins, and muscadines. There are also have playgrounds and picnic shelters for a fun family outing!

    Lineberger’s Maple Spring Farm

     

  • Rivers’ Blueberries Farm

    1595 Colony Road, Rock Hill, SC

    Rivers’ Blueberry Farm is a hidden gem in Rock Hill, SC. Come pick organic blueberries during the month of July.

    Rivers’ Blueberries Farm

  • TLC Blueberry Farm

    3318 Greene Road, Monroe

    Blueberry picking season begins June 1st. TLC’s pick your own patch consists of 5 different varieties. Enjoy blueberries, homemade blueberry ice cream, and a cold drink by the pond. Kids will enjoy feeding the ducks, the chickens in the coop, and playing on the swings.

Debbie Nance is the afternoon co-host along with her husband on "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been with the station for 18 years. Debbie is a CMA Award winner for Radio Personality of the Year. And, she has worked in radio for 40 years. Before her current afternoon position, Debbie spent more than a decade as co-host on morning shows in several markets across the Southeast. As a content creator for Country 1037, Debbie writes articles about food, new restaurants in the Carolinas and travel experiences.

Sign me up for the Country 103.7 email newsletter!

Members get exclusive insights into new music, music news, contests, quizzes, and more!

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Debbie Nance
Category:
Tags:
,,,

More Country 103.7

Load More