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

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.

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:

1800 Black Highway, York, SC

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.

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.

445 West Rebound Road, Lancaster, SC 29720

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!

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.