Updated as of 5:38 p.m. on April 9 to include video of the farmers market opening.

The Elon Farmers Market opened for the first time this season on April 4. 

Almost all of the previous vendors will be returning for the new season and attendees can expect up to 25 vendors in total, according to Market Manager Sarah Bass. This includes a handful of new vendors as well. 

The new vendors will be selling products like seasonings, fairtrade coffee, herbs, kombucha, pasta, pasta sauces, pizza dough, peanut butter, pottery, handmade leather goods and fresh North Carolina seafood, Bass said. 

According to Bass, the majority of both new and returning vendors are sourcing their products locally or from just outside Alamance County. 

Benevolence Farm, returning for its second season at the Elon Farmers Market, is an example of this.

Eden Gustaven, who works with Benevolence Farm, said that the non-profit organization sells body care products and candles made from herbs grown at their local farm. All of their profits go to housing formerly incarcerated women.


Bob Thomas, the owner of Gardener Bob LLC, is also a returning vendor. 

Thomas is a local business owner of Gardener Bob’s Homestead Kitchen in Greensboro and a third-time vendor at the market. 

Thomas said he sells sourdough bread, pickles and home brewed kombucha — which are not only locally sourced products but are also free of dyes, preservatives and artificial ingredients.

Thomas previously worked at Elon, and sold his products on the side before he discovered the market. 

“The rest is history,” Thomas said.

Curry Wilkinson, of Curry Wilkinson Pottery, and George Smith, an Elon alum and the owner of Smith Century Farms, are both new vendors at the market. 

According to Smith, the market was busier than he expected but offered an opportunity for students and local residents to intermingle. 

Bass said that along with new vendors, the farmer's market is also hoping to increase student musical involvement.

On April 4, Techtronica — an indie, alternative and pop ensemble — performed at the market and is scheduled to return on April 25. Gabe Germain, an Elon musician, is scheduled to perform on April 18 as well as May 2.  

Bass said this initiative is only one of the new additions to the market, in addition to an abundance of activities planned for the upcoming season such as crafts and games.  

“The market drives students and the local community together,” Thomas said.