‘Taste of Summer’ offered samples at Southeastern Agricultural Center

By Hannah Simpson
Around the Town Editor

Home-grown fruits and vegetables were displayed alongside area business dealers Sept. 8 at the Southeastern Agricultural Center and Farmers Market in Lumberton.

Farmers and businesses displayed their goods from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as a part of the “Taste of Summer” series created by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Jake Godwin, an employee of Kinlaw’s Produce in Bladenboro, said an average of 150 to 200 people wander into the marketplace each event. Many of the customers are travelers who stumble upon the occasion when they take a rest stop, he said.

A walk through the market revealed free samples of grapes, watermelon, peaches and tomatoes; prices ranged from $1 a pound for tomatoes to $5 for a full watermelon.

In one corner, Robin Locklear, co-owner of the Country Girls Coffee and Gift Shop in Hope Mills, presented
her own creations of soy candles, glycerin soap and other shop items, such as dream weavers and Indian dolls.

At the opposite side of the market, Nancy Bossie and her daughter Kaitlyn, 11, exhibit their home-made crafts, including earrings, crocheted hair bands and other seasonal and holiday knick-knacks.

Nancy Ward promoted her table of jewelry by dressing formally and wearing a matching necklace and earrings. Ward buys jewelry from wholesalers before retailing it at the “Taste of Summer,” she said.

The market also housed sewing and kitchen accessories, hats, fabric and toys for children.

The Farmers Market will be open for Grape Day Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will feature sample grapes from across NC.

The Southeastern Agricultural Center and Farmers Market is located one mile off I-95 at exit 14 on Highway 74 East.