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Durham's Black-owned farms and farmers markets are a vital community treasure, offering unique produce, homemade canned goods, and enriching experiences you won't want to miss.
Posted By Natalie Minott
Many of us have eaten throughout our lives without really knowing what it takes to grow it, harvest it and move it from point A to point Z along a supply chain. From the coffee that gives us a boost in the mornings to the eggs, fruit and bread on our plates, everything we eat and drink comes, at least in part, from a farm.
Farmers are a special breed of people. Not only do they spend hours stewarding their land and taking care of their animals to grow healthy and delicious food, but they also contribute largely to their communities. According to the recent Census of Agriculture taken in 2022, less than 2% of the 1.9 million farmers in the United States today are Black. A century ago, there were more Black-owned farms, but sadly, a long history of racial violence, unfair lending and land ownership policies, and lack of access to necessary loans and insurance, has contributed to their decline.
In North Carolina, Black farmers run about 1,400 of the state’s farms. Some of those farms are right here in Durham. These Black farmers are growing culturally relevant food and working to restore food sovereignty, connect communities with healthy options and increase access to growing food – work that is deeply tied to land ownership and liberation. With all that in mind, here are five incredible Black-owned farms, markets and platforms in Durham that you can support.
The Black Farmers' Market
With music, food vendors, games, dancing, fresh produce and more, The Black Farmers' Market is the place to be. From 1 - 4 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month between April and November, you can shop from numerous Black vendors in an inclusive, fun, community-centered marketplace and intentionally keep dollars circulating in the community. You can find The Black Farmers Market at Durham Tech Community College at 1637 E. Lawson St.
According to its website, the Market’s mission is “to inspire a self-sufficient community that supports and protects Black farmers and entrepreneurs.” Stop by the Market when it opens in the spring to support Black farmers, Black restaurants and Black businesses in the community.
Grass Grazed Farm
There’s no need to ask Durham farmers Derrick and Paige Jackson whether the chicken or egg came first. At Grass Grazed Farm, it all started with chickens and quickly grew into so much more. Located in North Durham, the farm is on a mission to help people understand where their food comes from by being transparent and removing the mystery behind meat. With 160 acres of farmland, their livestock is raised on pasture from birth to finish, producing high-quality protein.
Derrick and Paige invite you to their farm to experience a farm-to-fork meal. Reserve a ticket to their popular dinner series, "The Farmers Table," where you get to meet and talk to the farmers who work the land. You can also rock some Grass Grazed swag around town or become a member and get wholesome, clean, protein delivered to your doorstep the next time you're hosting friends and family.
Jireh Family Farm
Jireh Family Farm is a small family farm in Durham that provides free-range eggs, whole chicken, permaculture pork, Angus beef and more. In 2021, the farm launched an herb garden, so you can also pick up fresh basil, lemon thyme, lemongrass, oregano, mint and other culinary herbs.
The online Jireh Farm Store offers farm-to-table meats such as eggs, pork, beef, goat and chicken cuts for the Durham area, including three tiers of subscriptions to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) boxes delivering monthly meat bundles for families of all sizes. You can also shop the farm store in-person, Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Supporting the store helps reconnect customers with the food they eat, keeps resources within the community, and helps sustain the family farm.
The farm also offers a beautiful event space, perfect for small to mid-size events like pool parties, gardening classes and graduations. Check the farm's events page for periodic farm dinners and classes on the property.
Perkins Orchard
Founded in 1970, Perkins Orchard is a unique fruit and vegetable market in the heart of Southeast Durham. From February to December, the farm offers seasonal fruits and vegetables from local growers as well as local honey, specialty ciders, funnel cakes, Perkins pops, and locally produced jams, jellies and condiments.
Take advantage of their $25 bag special, which includes a free item (sometimes a watermelon or pineapple) with your entire bag of fruits and veggies. Owner Donovan Watson also invites food trucks and hosts fun family events and activities throughout the year.
Tall Grass Food Box
The Netflix docuseries “High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America” took the nation on a journey as the show’s host explored and discussed African American culinary history. People were especially captivated by Gabrielle E. W. Carter, chef, preservationist and co-founder of Tall Grass Food Box, and the work she is doing to preserve African American culture here in North Carolina.
During the pandemic, Carter, alongside Gerald C. Harris and Derrick Beasley, created a platform to directly support local Black farmers. With bi-weekly food subscription boxes, the trio distributes fresh produce from North Carolina’s Black farmers to businesses and residents in Durham and across the Triangle.
Check out their merch (like a dope “Pay Black Farmers” or okra shirt) and get a CSA subscription or place a weekly order for a box of fresh produce at their Durham pickup location.
We encourage you to be intentional about where you shop and do what you can to support Black farmers and Black-owned businesses throughout the year!
