Fresh veggies in the middle of winter? You bet. In downtown Apex, a group of about 20 vendors offers local produce year-round. In January, customers can find organic tomatoes, mushrooms, bok choy, radishes, lettuces, and other tasty greens that have been grown in nearby hoop-style greenhouses or through hydroponic farming. Besides produce, shoppers can purchase a spread of baked goods from Great Harvest Bread Company, sustainably sourced chicken and pork, and fresh seafood from Apex Seafood Market. There are also jams and jellies, kombucha, and, on the last Saturday of each month, $10 meals prepared with market ingredients by local chef Ana Tapioca.
Since April, the Apex market, a nonprofit organization, has operated as a drive-through. Customers can order items by noon on Thursday for a Saturday morning pickup. The market had to evolve quite a bit last year, says Alexis Jenssen, an operations manager, but it’s still a small, close-knit community of vendors: “The shoppers and people that come every single week know their farmers, and they know where their food is coming from.”
Hikers can access Grandfather Mountain State Park from one of two trailheads: Profile Trail or Daniel Boone Scout Trail. photograph by Douglas Hurdle/douglashurdle.com
A new year often means a renewed desire to be active. Luckily, our state offers plenty of opportunities to get moving in nature: From Gorges State Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks, there are 41 beautiful places in the North Carolina State Park system. Make a day trip to a park near you or a New Year’s resolution to hike them all! (Use this checklist to visit all 41.)
Hoppin’ John, Our State-style. photograph by Matt Hulsman
A savory mixture of black-eyed peas, rice, and pork has graced Southern tables on New Year’s Day since the mid-19th century. There are many theories as to how this dish, which originated in West Africa, earned its name and its reputation for bestowing good luck on whoever indulged in a bowlful. We just know it’s mighty good. Here’s our recipe.
For decades, a remote piece of Currituck County has been a respite for wildlife. Now under the protection of conservationists, this land, the waters surrounding it, and the skies above will remain a constant in our coastal circle of life.
On North Carolina’s coast, boardwalks wind alongside our sounds, rivers, and beaches, reminding us that the journey is often just as delightful as the destination.
From Wanchese to Duck, these landmark businesses and the families who run them connect consumers with the daily catch.
As the sun sets at Grandfather Mountain, fireflies put on a magnificent show — for those willing to stop and pay attention.
