Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  • What is the Public Market House?
    The Public Market House is a beautiful wood shelter beside the Eno River Park and restored creek, on Margaret Lane behind the Orange County Sheriffs Office. (see directions)

    The shelter is owned by the citizens by way of our county government, made possible through federal funds brought to us by Congressman David Price. This place has great potential to add significantly to the long list of why it is wonderful to live in Hillsborough. Not just for a farmers market on Saturday, but as a community gathering place for any number of events throughout the year.
  • What is the Eno River Farmers Market (ERFM)?
    The Eno River Farmers Market is a community group operating a farmers market in downtown Hillsborough on Saturday mornings and Tuesday afternoons. The ERFM is a producer-only market, focused on locally grown or produced foods and goods.

    The ERFM was organized in 2008 by Orange County to operate a farmers market at the brand new Public Market House that would be open to everyone, and was originally known as the Orange County Farmers Market,. The ERFM is supported by Orange County, tourism grants from the Town of Hillsborough, and vendor fees. As intended when organized by the Board of County Commissioners, the ERFM is evolving into self supporting through vendor fees, plus other grants obtained by the group.

    Our vision for the ERFM is a place that local farmers and artisans can find economic success, where customers can obtain and support local food and goods, where local merchants and restaurants benefit from people visiting our area, and where the greater Orange County community has a gathering place we can point to with pride.
  • When is the ERFM open?
    Saturdays, 8AM until noon, and Tuesday’s 4 until 6 PM
    April through Thanksgiving.

    In the winter months, the market is open on 1st and 3rd Saturdays, from 10 AM until 1 PM.

    Other markets by special announcement.
  • How can one become a vendor at the OCFM?
    Email
    Tom Hurtgen hurtgenmeadows@gmail.com or
    Rob Bowers whittedbowersfarm@mac.com
    or contact our market manager, and complete an application. (see Be a Vendor page)
  • How much are vendor fees?
    The vendor fee is $5 per day to set up at the ERFM.
    Starting in 2009 there will be an annual member fee, and a one-time new-member application fee. (The new-member application fee will be waived for previous members of the Hillsborough Farmers Market).
  • What is a "producer-only market"?
    In a "producer-only" market, vendors must grow or produce the goods offered for sale at the market.
    For example, a vendor cannot buy tomatoes in Florida to resell in NC, muffins from a pastry shop to sell at the market, or craft items that someone else made for resale at the market.
    Potential vendors who have questions about whether their items qualify should consult the market rules, or contact the market manager.
  • Are craft vendors accepted?
    Yes. The ERFM is primarily a farmers market focused on farm and garden items and locally produced food and artisan products. However we value the variety and interest that crafts add to the market and our community. By the rules that govern the market, up to 25% of the market can be craft vendors. We are also supportive of the Hillsborough Arts Council, which is developing a crafts market for our community.
  • How many vendors can the OCFM have?
    While the shelter has 24 full sized spaces, we have lots of room to expand beside and beyond the shelter, and can accommodate as many market vendors as are currently set up throughout downtown Hillsborough on Saturday mornings.
  • How can my nonprofit or school set up at the ERFM for a fundraiser or information booth?
    We welcome community groups to participate in the ERFM, such as selling plants as a fundraiser, volunteering with children’s games or facepainting, or setting up information tables.

    Please make arrangements in advance of when you would like to be at the market by contacting our market manager, Robin Mulkey.
  • How can I play music at the ERFM?
    Contact our market manager, Robin Mulkey.
  • Who operates the ERFM?
    In 2008, the market was managed by a part-time market manager employed by Orange County, with oversight by a committee of interested citizens, the Community Oversight Committee. This committee was charged with shepherding the market toward becoming a non-profit organization governed by vendors and citizens, as well as providing guidance to the market manager in the interim.
    Throughout 2008 the market vendors and oversight committee worked to establish an independent organization, the Eno River Farmers Market. In January 2009 the Board of County Commissioners approved this organization as the exclusive provider of a farmers market at the Public Market House.
  • Who is on the Citizen’s Oversight Committee?
    The Citizen’s Oversight Committee is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, and charged with transitioning the market to a community governed non-profit organization, and providing guidance to the market manager in the interim.
    Appointees are:
    Mayor Tom Stevens
    Holly Reid
    Barbara Marotto
    Commissioner Eric Hallman
    Joe Clayton (resigned for business reasons)
  • How can I volunteer or get involved?
    Contact our market manager, Robin Mulkey (contact info in the sidebar on the right), or any of the Community Oversight Committee members.
  • Can other groups use the Public Market House shelter?
    Use of the Public Market House is by permission of Orange County officials. Currently only the ERFM is permitted to use the facility while construction continues on the adjacent jucidial building. After the judicial building construction is complete, the Public Market House will be available for any number of community activities, including special events, crafts markets, and concerts.
  • Can you bring dogs to the farmers market?
    Orange County has prohibited dogs under the shelter, in much the same way they would not be allowed in other public facilities where food is offered and people may be crowded together. There is lots of open park area for walking animals, and numerous places to comfortably tether you dog outside of the shelter while you shop and visit at the market.
  • Why are there two markets? Can’t they get together?
    Based on the great success of the farmers market in downtown, the Public Market House is where our community requested a farmers market shelter and invested public resources to create a beautiful community facility.

    At the time the Public Market House became available, the original farmers market in downtown Hillsborough that planned and requested the Public Market House had split into two groups, with both separately seeking to use the facility. Since both groups have much to offer the community, the Orange County Farmers Market was created by county commissioners as a neutral third party that would allow anyone from either of the groups to have access to the Public Market House. These vendors would then be given an opportunity to become a self-governing entity, which has now evolved into the Eno River Farmers Market.

    The Eno River Farmers Market is evolving from the original Orange County market, and remains a community market composed of members from members from both groups above, farmers and artisans not affiliated with either of those groups, and citizen volunteers - all who believe that working together we can create a vibrant farmers market in Hillsborough at the Public Market House. We believe that all of us working together under one roof will create a more vibrant and exciting farmers market that will bring the most benefit to vendors, customers, and community alike.

    The Hillsborough Farmers Market vendors have all been invited to move to the Public Market House, and we are open to find ways to move HFM to the facility as an entity. Unfortunately this invitation has been officially declined, with HFM continuing to state they want to either "occupy the Public Market House under the HFM leadership already in place” or else continue HFM “with the current leadership and governance” at a new location. While we would like to see a single, unified market in Hillsborough, we respect the right of others to operate an independent private market if they so choose. The invitation to HFM remains open as long as there is space available. (see the mayor’s op-ed from the News of Orange, letter to HFM members, and letter from HFM )

    * * *

    The vendors at the Eno River Farmers Market are local farmers and artisans. Some are or have been associated with other markets, others are new on the scene. All are committed to coming together and working toward a vibrant community-supported and comunity-operated farmers market at the Public Market House. We invite everyone in the community to be a part of it.

  • What are the future plans for the OCFM?
    The Eno River Farmers Market is planning special events throughout the summer and fall. We are also arranging food demonstrations with local chefs, and more family oriented activities.

    Be sure and sign up for our e-newsletter, to stay informed of upcoming events.
  • When will the construction be finished on the Justice Facility?
    Construction is expected to be completed early 2009. Lots more parking will be available!
  • Other Questions?
    If you have other questions, please contact the market manager, Robin Mulkey, any member of the Community Oversight Committee, or your friendly ERFM market vendors.

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