Lenoir County Farmer's Market update July 25, 2026

Fresh tomatoes, Saturday vendors, Tuesday market, a Toys for Tots fundraiser, and local events. View in browser Saturday, July 25, 2026 Fresh Tomatoes Are in Season Shop the Lenoir County Farmers Market this week for fresh produce, pimento cheese, handmade creations, sweet treats, pork skins, and tomato-season recipe inspiration from Tammy Kelly. Lenoir County Farmers Market 100 N. Heritage Street, Kinston, NC Market hours: Tuesday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Farmer's Market Updates for July 25 Tomato season is in full swing. Stop by Saturday for fresh local finds from Shannon’s Sugar Rush, TJ Designs, Robin Stewart, Christi Luvs Creations, Julie Babbin, Above the Briery, B&B Eggs, Holy Granola, TC Smith, and Rodney “Pork Skin Man.” The Tuesday vendor lineup will be the same as before. Follow the Market on Facebook Fresh This Week Looking for Ways to Use Your Abundance of Tomatoes Tammy Kelly Tomato Season Is in Full Swing No other summer produce matches the sweet, bursting flavor of a fresh tomato. It doesn’t hurt that tomatoes are packed with nutrients. Here are six good reasons to eat more tomatoes. Tomatoes are loaded with vitamin A, which is known to support vision and eye health. Over time, the lutein in tomatoes may help protect the eyes from macular degeneration. Tomatoes’ bright red color comes from lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage and reduce inflammation. Along with vitamins A and C, these nutrients contribute to healthier skin, stronger immunity, and overall well-being. Lycopene also contributes to heart health by helping lower cholesterol and regulate blood pressure, which may reduce the risk of heart disease. Tomatoes contain calcium and vitamin K, both of which are important for bone health. There is growing evidence that antioxidants, including those found in fresh tomatoes, may help reduce the risk of certain cancers, including prostate cancer. Tomatoes are also high in vitamin C. Vitamin C supports collagen production, which helps keep skin firm and youthful-looking, and it may help protect and repair skin from sun damage. If you are looking for new favorite recipes for your fresh tomatoes, here you go. Hope you enjoy them! Vendor Lineup Saturday's Vendors Farmer's Market Vendors for July 25, 2026 Shannon’s Sugar Rush TJ Designs Robin Stewart Christi Luvs Creations Julie Babbin — Pimento Cheese Above the Briery B&B Eggs Holy Granola TC Smith Rodney “Pork Skin Man” Sweet Treats Shannon’s Sugar Rush Shannon’s Sugar Rush will be at the market Saturday with sweet treats and colorful creations. Handmade Designs TJ Designs Shop handmade designs and creative finds from TJ Designs. Market Vendor Robin Stewart Robin Stewart will be at the market this Saturday. Handmade Creations Christi Luvs Creations Christi Luvs Creations will be at the market Saturday with handmade items and creative finds. Commercial Kitchen Julie Babbin Julie Babbin will be at the market this Saturday with pimento cheese. Local Vendor Above the Briery Above the Briery has TWO native plants for the Price of ONE! Big plants, tiny price tag. For a limited time, grab any of our large perennials and get a second one FREE! Fresh Eggs and Baked Goods B&B Eggs Stop by B&B Eggs for fresh eggs, banana nut bread, and other market favorites. Locally Made Granola Holy Granola Holy Granola offers delicious, all-natural, preservative-free granola made locally. Stop by for a sample. Fresh Produce TC Smith TC Smith will be at the market with fresh produce and seasonal favorites. Pork Skins Rodney “Pork Skin Man” Stop by Rodney “Pork Skin Man” for fresh pork skins and market snacks. Upcoming Events Around Town Fundraiser Toys for Tots Event Stop by the market for the lemonade fundraiser supporting Toys for Tots. A Toys for Tots collection box will also be available. Fundraiser SupaStarz Athletics Lemonade Stand and Bake Sale Be sure to stop by the SupaStarz Athletics lemonade stand and bake sale on Saturday, July 25, at the Lenoir County Farmers Market. The fundraiser will feature fresh-squeezed 12-ounce lemonade for $2, homemade cereal treats in three varieties for $2 each, and a few 3D-printed fidgets made by the kids. Proceeds will help support All Star Cheer uniform and competition fees. SupaStarz Athletics is a local gym in La Grange that offers preschool, recreational, and competitive cheer, along with ninja classes, an after-school program, birthday parties, and weekly daytime events. SupaStarz Athletics is a local gym located in LaGrange.  They offer pre-school, recreational, and competitive cheer for various skill levels. In addition to cheerleading, they offer preschool and school age ninja classes, an after school program, birthday parties and weekly daytime events.  They All Star teams travel to competitive competitions, some in different states.  Saturday, July 25 Neuse Reuse: Opening Reception The Neuse Reuse opening reception will be held Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 1 p.m. Cooking with Tammy Kelly Fresh Tomato Recipes Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho Ingredients 4 medium-to-large heirloom tomatoes, or any fresh tomatoes 1 large fresh cucumber 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 red bell peppers 1 small red onion 1/2 cup fresh basil, tightly packed and roughly chopped 1/4 jalapeño pepper, optional 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/8 cup red wine vinegar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Directions Chop the tomatoes into large chunks; there is no need to peel them. Dice the cucumber, red peppers, onion, and jalapeño, if using. Add all chopped vegetables, garlic, and basil to a blender. Blend at medium speed until smooth, or pulse to keep the soup slightly chunky. Chill for at least one hour. Taste and season with salt, black pepper, and vinegar, adjusting as needed. Serves 6. Each serving contains approximately 42 calories, 9g carbohydrates, 2g protein, 0.4g fat, 2g fiber, 5g sugar, and 202mg sodium. Shrimp and Tomato Pico de Gallo Ingredients 2 tablespoons avocado oil 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails removed 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seafood Seasoning 1/2 cup sweet yellow onion, finely diced 5 cups Roma tomatoes, diced small, or substitute your favorite fresh tomatoes 2 tablespoons jalapeños, finely diced, adjusted to taste 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped, washed, and drained well Directions Heat avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp and sprinkle with Old Bay. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until pink and cooked through. Do not overcook. Combine the tomatoes, onion, jalapeños, lime juice, cumin, salt, and cilantro. Stir well. Fold in the cooked shrimp and refrigerate until ready to serve so the flavors can meld. Best served cold. Yields approximately 8 cups. Baked Goat Cheese and Tomato Dip Ingredients 4 ounces goat cheese, at room temperature 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 3/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese, freshly shredded 12 ounces grape or cherry tomatoes 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon garlic powder Salt and black pepper, to taste French baguette toasts or pita chips, for serving Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Add goat cheese, cream cheese, Monterey Jack, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a food processor. Purée until smooth, about 30 seconds. Brush a baking dish with olive oil and spread the cheese mixture evenly in the dish. Place tomatoes in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Arrange them evenly over the cheese mixture. Bake for 40 minutes, until the tomatoes are near bursting or have begun to burst. While the dip bakes, slice and toast the baguette, if using. Serve the dip hot and bubbling. Crumbled feta may be substituted for the goat cheese. Serves 8. Each serving contains approximately 201 calories, 4g carbohydrates, 7g protein, 18g fat, 207mg sodium, and 1g fiber. Ratatouille Soup Ingredients 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion 3 garlic cloves 1 small eggplant 1 zucchini 1 red, orange, or yellow bell pepper 3/4 to 1 pound peeled, ripe summer tomatoes 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped 3 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped Directions Seasonings: 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon rosemary. Optional additions include a pinch of sugar, red pepper flakes, or a splash of heavy cream. Cut the onion, bell pepper, eggplant, and zucchini into 2-inch chunks. Mince the garlic. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot. Add the chopped vegetables and garlic and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes with their juices, broth, basil, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but not mushy. Stir in fresh spinach until wilted, about 30 seconds. Taste and adjust seasonings. Add optional sugar, red pepper flakes, or cream as desired. Serve with cheese toast, croutons, shredded Parmesan, chopped basil, or a drizzle of basil pesto. Serves 4. Tuesday Market Coming Tuesday, July 28 Tuesday Lineup Tuesday at the Farmers Market Stop by from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. See You at the Market Bring your shopping bags, visit this week's vendors, and enjoy fresh local finds at the Lenoir County Farmers Market. Interested in being a vendor? Contact the Lenoir County Farmers Market today! Lenoir County Farmers Market 100 N. Heritage Street, Kinston, NC Facebook: Follow us   unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences | view email in browser