Our produce manager is always on the lookout for the freshest fruits and veggies the season has to offer. This means going to market several times a week and visiting various farmers we buy from.

We will source local and organic items as our first choice if the quality meets our standards. Why the price difference for organic? It takes a farmer 3 years to transition from using pesticides or chemicals to growing organic. During that time, they still must sell their product as conventional, so the monetary pressure on the farm is significant. They must have annual inspections and complete voluminous paperwork requirements to achieve the USDA Organic seal. We are proud to be a member of the Organic Trade Association. Visit their website for more information about this growing trend in American agriculture.

Poppies Gourmet Farmers Market feels the practice of organic farming supports several of our Passions; Sustainability, Freshness, Taste. In addition, allowing WNC farmers to keep land in agriculture and continue a way of life that is fast disappearing is very important to us. Once again, we may have to pay more for blueberries from a small local farm than ones sprayed with preservatives and shipped from Chile, but it seems a fair price to pay.

Don't forget that our produce department makes wonderful juices and smoothies. We also make great fruit baskets for gifts.