North Carolina Farmers Market Statistics 2026
How many farmers markets does North Carolina have, where are they, and how many accept SNAP/EBT or sell certified-organic produce? We analyzed the full USDA-registered dataset for North Carolina — 211 farmers markets — and benchmarked it against the national picture. The figures below are free to cite and reuse with attribution (CC BY 4.0).
How many farmers markets are in North Carolina?
As of 2026, North Carolina has 211 active farmers markets registered in the USDA Local Food Portal — rank #16 of 52 states, or about 1.2× the average state's count. Adjusted for population, that's 1.9 markets per 100,000 residents, below the national average of 2.6 (U.S. Census 2023 estimates).
Do North Carolina farmers markets accept SNAP/EBT?
About 17.5% of North Carolina farmers markets (37 of 211) list acceptance of SNAP/EBT benefits — higher than the national rate of 10.4%. See SNAP/EBT markets nationwide for the markets that do.
How many North Carolina markets sell organic?
About 16.1% of North Carolina farmers markets list certified-organic vendors (34 markets), above the 12% national rate.
Which North Carolina cities have the most farmers markets?
- Charlotte — 10 markets
- Greenville — 5 markets
- Greensboro — 5 markets
- Fayetteville — 4 markets
- Asheville — 4 markets
- Salisbury — 4 markets
- Wilmington — 3 markets
- Boone — 3 markets
Beyond markets: CSAs and farm stands in North Carolina
Farmers markets are one of three local-food channels in the USDA data. North Carolina also has 61 CSA programs and 660 farm stands and pick-your-own farms registered.
Methodology
All figures are derived from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Local Food Portal, the federal registry of farmers markets, CSAs, and on-farm markets, last refreshed July 14, 2026. Per-capita figures use U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2023 population estimates. SNAP/EBT and organic figures reflect the fields populated in each USDA record; markets that do not list a feature are counted as not offering it, so true rates may be modestly higher. National benchmarks are computed across all 52 ranked states. Percentages are rounded. Data licensed CC BY 4.0 — reuse with attribution to Harvestly Markets.
Frequently asked questions
- How many farmers markets are in North Carolina?
- North Carolina has 211 active farmers markets as of 2026, per USDA Local Food Portal data — about 1.9 per 100,000 residents. That ranks #16 of 52 states by total count.
- What percentage of North Carolina farmers markets accept SNAP/EBT?
- About 17.5% of North Carolina farmers markets accept SNAP/EBT (37 of 211) — above the national rate of 10.4%.
- What share of North Carolina farmers markets sell certified-organic produce?
- About 16.1% of North Carolina farmers markets list certified-organic vendors (34 markets), above the national rate of 12%.
- Which North Carolina cities have the most farmers markets?
- Charlotte leads North Carolina with 10 farmers markets, followed by Greenville (5) and Greensboro (5).
→ Browse all 211 North Carolina farmers markets
More: national farmers-market statistics · North Carolina CSAs · North Carolina farm stands · all states