One of the reasons I started this blog about our real food journey was to share with others all the invaluable information I’ve learned from hours and hours of research. Just one year ago I had never even been to a farmer’s market before, much less did I know there were actually different types of farmer’s markets. Sadly enough I had also never read an ingredients label or ever thought to ask a restaurant what exactly was in the food they were serving me (or where it came from for that matter). Before we changed our diets at the beginning of last year, it is safe to say that I knew very little about eating real food. Once I started to figure everything out from what crackers to buy to where to get the freshest milk, why would I keep all of that good information to myself?
So in addition to all of the recipes, tips, and personal experiences I’ve shared thus far, this post is all about the specific stores, farms, and restaurants that we love the most (all of which we’ve tried personally). Now of course these places are in the Charlotte area, but a few can be accessed in other locations as well (denoted by asterisk). If you have any favorites that I left off this list 
please tell us why you love them in the comments section below!
Farms / Farmer’s Markets
- Matthews Farmer’s Market (pictured during a community dinner to the right) – This one is a grower’s only market, which in my opinion is the best kind. Some of the year-round vendors there that we frequent the most include Grateful Growers (pork / sausage / bacon), Bosky Acres (goat cheese / feta cheese), New Town Farms (seasonal certified organic produce), and Tega Hills Farm (the freshest lettuce you will ever eat).
- Lakeview Farms – This is where we get our much talked about milk that we love. It is delivered to our house and said to be 2-days from the cow. It tastes so fresh that we are now officially spoiled and can hardly stand to drink the standard grocery store milk anymore (even if it is organic). This was the most expensive item we kept during our “100 Days of Real Food on a Budget” pledge, and I did everything in my power to make sure we didn’t have to give it up!
- Atherton Farmer’s Market – This one is also a grower’s only market, and it is open more often than the Matthews one. Unfortunately it is a lot further from us so we don’t frequent it very much. The items I am most excited about at this market are what I cannot find at the Matthews Farmer’s Market and include local lamb and local seafood.
- Poplar Ridge Farm (pictured at top of blog) – This is the farm where we had our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) membership last summer. While lots of local farms follow organic practices this is one of the few farms in the area that are actually USDA certified organic. We started off with a half share last year, which meant we got a box of fresh farm-selected produce every other week. We really enjoyed sampling so many different varieties of fresh local produce, although I do admit we struggled when we were given a lot of greens! We are just not a big fan of greens, and I hate to waste food.
I am purposely not mentioning the Charlotte Regional Farmer’s Market because it is not a grower’s only market. While they have plenty of farmers selling locally grown/raised food they also have plenty of 3rd party vendors selling things like berries from South America. I can get that kind of stuff at any regular grocery store.
Restaurants
- Harvest Moon Grill – A new restaurant that is owned by a local farm and amazingly uses up to 90 – 95% local foods. While all the restaurants on this list feature locally grown/raised items, when it comes to the quantity of items that are local this one blows the rest out of the water. It is connected to the Dunhill Hotel in downtown.
- Harvest Moon Grill Food Cart – A much more casual lunch cart that features just as much local food as the restaurant bearing the same name. It can be found at various locations downtown, and if you get on their email distribution list you will be notified of the upcoming week’s location, hours, and menu.
- Halcyon – Located at the front of the new Mint Museum of Art. They have an excellent Sunday Brunch.
- Luna’s Living Kitchen – They are located in the Dilworth area right next door to the Atherton Market. Their veggie burger is our favorite, and this is also where we first learned about banana ice cream.
- Community Café – A casual café located inside the newly renovated Discovery Place museum.
- Santé – Located in Matthews right across the street from the Farmer’s Market. They utilize the market for as many fresh ingredients as possible, and they also have their own garden. If the weather is nice ask to sit on the patio out back!
- Upstream – Also located in the South Park area. They have been a favorite of ours for many years and specialize in seafood.
- Rooster’s – Again located in South Park, but they probably have more of a focus on local foods than the previous two options in that part of town.
Stores
- Earth Fare* – Don’t I already talk about Earth Fare enough? And no, they don’t give me money under the table for all of the compliments. I truly just love their store for the biggest variety of fresh organic produce, some locally raised meat/seafood offerings, and the most whole-grain choices I could find anywhere in town (other than my own kitchen)!
- Hillbilly Produce – Hillbilly Produce is similar to a Farmer’s Market except they are indoors and open every day of the week. In addition to a wide variety of locally grown produce they also offer locally raised meat from both Grateful Grower’s and Baucom’s Best. So if you are near the store, which is just south of downtown Charlotte, it is definitely worth the stop!
- Great Harvest Bread Company* – They grind their own wheat every morning to make the yummiest honey whole-wheat bread in town. I am embarrassed to say that just over a year ago I was eating white sandwich bread from the grocery store. The problem was that I didn’t think I liked “wheat bread” …that is until I tried this loaf from Great Harvest. You can also special order hamburger buns to be made out of the same recipe, and their breads hold up beautifully in the freezer.
*Locations outside of Charlotte
Mini Whole-Wheat Popovers
I’m happy to have found your site and even happier to realize you’re in Charlotte! We’re just in the process of relocating to Charlotte and knowing of these farmer’s markets and restaurants is a great start!
I’m the kind of girl that needs instructions and then follows them to the “T”. So I read the whole 100 days of real food book/cookbook and followed the eating plans and grocery list. We live in Winston-Salem, NC so we have access to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, the closest Earth Fare is 30 mins away in Greensboro, which isn’t bad at all, but as I’m traveling to do my food shopping at Earth Fare my husband asks why I don’t just go to Whole Foods…I didn’t have a good answer other than “That’s where Lisa shops!” lol. Do you find that there is a huge difference in the 2? I know Whole Foods can be pretty expensive but I’ve read your articles on what to buy at Whole Foods. But I was just curious if one was better than the other or more cost conscious than the other? Thanks in advance for the input! :)
Hi Jamie. There is not a big difference. Whole Foods, I feel, is a bit overwhelming but the products and costs at each are very similar. ;)
Would love for you to give an updated list on some of your favorite restaurants in Charlotte that serve local and/or organic food. There have been lots of new restaurants since this blog post!
I agree! I don’t have an updated list at this time, but here’s a pretty good one from Heidi Billotto: http://heidibillottofood.com/2014/12/04/making-a-list-checking-it-twice-heidi-billottos-restaurant-guide-of-great-charlotte-spots-to-wine-and-dine/
I’m new to real food, but wanting to start! I live near Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Fresh Market, Sprouts Farmer’s Market, and a Great Harvest Bread Company. Where should I shop for produce?
Well Haleigh, sounds like you have lots of good options. Our first stop for produce is our local farmer’s market to pick up fresh and seasonal items and then Whole Foods, Earth Fare or the like. :)
I’m so glad I found this! I love your website and was hoping you’d have some Charlotte resources. We’re moving there next month and I’ve been fretting about leaving behind our beloved CSA and farmer’s markets. It looks like Charlotte has a great naturally-minded movement happening!
I live in the Pacific NW. For veggies, grains, etc, I have found some of the Asian(Taiwanese/Chinese, Japanese or Korean) markets are good bets. Don’t know what the canned/frozen/dried stuff is, unless it has pictures or labels in English. I shop for fish & fruits & veggies there a lot, plus local goat, lamb or rabbit. Also, Indian/Middle Eastern markets markets tend to be very good for grains & beans. Typical upscale steaks/fancy roasts are not stocked in these stores. No temptations to blow the food budget!
These markets also have very inexpensive household items like choppers, graters, sharpening stones, pots, racks & packaging/storage items… since their customers (usually lower income/large families) favor usefulness, not designer labels!
I live in Arkansas and unfortunately the area I live in does not have really any whole foods stores. We have Walmart, Harps, Aldi & one small whole foods store that offers a few items at a high price. Can I find “real food” at stores like Walmart or Aldi? I would really like to take the real food challenge, but I’m not sure if I can because of the lack of availability in my area!
Hi Emily. While it might be more of a challenge to find a big selection of whole foods, it is being done by many of our readers with limited access! Stores like Walmart are getting better about catering to pickier consumers and increasing their organic options. :) You might initially have to map out what is available at each grocery store, but it will eventually become routine when it comes time to do your shopping. Be sure to know what farmers and farmer’s markets are available in your area, as well. These links might help: http://www.eatwild.com and http://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Home. Just do your best. It doesn’t have to be perfect. ~Amy
His Lisa! My family lives in Chesapeake, VA and I was wondering if you knew if any of your followers had any suggestions for where to shop for groceries in the Hampton Roads area. Thanks for all you do!
Hi Julie. I’ll leave that one for readers to respond to. Unfortunately, I’m not at all familiar with the area. Readers? :)
~Amy
What do you guys think of Trader Joe’s? They are really committed to avoiding artificial flavors and preservatives. They also don’t sell any dairy or meat with hormones.
Hi Amy. Trader Joe’s is definitely one of our shopping stops. Lisa has some favorites items that she purchases there: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/09/27/what-i-buy-at-trader-joes/. ~Amy
I just found this post and I wanted to thank you for sharing! This is really helpful! I’ve been a bit disappointed in our nearest farmers market in the Chicago suburbs, but due to a job change, it looks like my family will be moving to the Charlotte area in the next couple months. I can’t wait to check out some growers markets in and around Charlotte!
Hi! I live in the Charlotte area and was curious where you buy your local strawberries when they are in season? I really want to stock up on making jam when they come in season however haven’t really been able to locate a farm that is organic or does not use pesticides. I know it is a difficult to grow strawberries. Your advice is much appreciated!
I believe I found both organic and local strawberries at Earth Fare last year (I hope I am not getting them confused with where we found peaches). Be sure to call ahead before you go out to pick some up. They’ll let you know if they have some! :)
Hello Candace. We get most of our in season produce at Matthews Farmers Market: http://www.matthewsfarmersmarket.com/. This link may be helpful, too: http://farmfreshnorthcarolina.com/2011/05/where-to-find-organic-u-pick-strawberries/. ~Amy
Hi from a growing love of your site from far away – There are so many of us trying to adopt the real food life, military stationed overseas. Many times we are stuck with only 1 grocery store – the commissary and to say it mildly it sucks! Maybe if we are really lucky 10% organic – I live in Italy and there are a few of us on our base in northern Italy who follow you – can you PRETTY PLEASE post some sites to order strictly on line – it would help us military families so much – THANK YOU!!!!!
Hi Nonnie. Oh my goodness, some of the best fruit stands and farmer’s markets I’ve ever seen were in Italy. Although I did see an old Italian lady smack a woman’s hand for touching her fruit. :) Do you not have great access to groceries outside of the base? We can order just about anything here in the US through Amazon but it does not look like they offer grocery shipping overseas. Everything else I’ve seen has very high shipping costs and makes ordering seem somewhat prohibitive. Could you work with the military folks in order to get better access to good quality foods and ingredients? I truly have no idea how this works but I want to help. ~Amy
I’m very glad I stumbled across this site, especially since I am in SW Charlotte (Steele Creek). You have a lot of wonderful information! I noticed that you don’t mention Trader Joe’s in your list of stores. While I know that there are products to avoid there, I do think that one could make budget friendly choices there while still keeping it real. Thoughts?
After spending some time on the site I believe I have found the answer to my question. You do have TJ items listed. I have never been to Earth Fare, but I am pleased to see there is one in Ballantyne!
As far as restaurants go, I wild also highly recommend Passion8 Bistro in Very near to Charlotte Fort Mill, SC.
Hole in the wall, whee am I going exterior in an industrial area, however tHey support over 20 local farms, and the food is amazing! Highly recommended. http://www.passion8bistro.com
Does anyone buy organic chicken breast online in bulk? I am looking for an online service where I can buy my chicken breast without going to the store for Smart Chicken a couple of times weekly. Thanks