Farmers’ markets are a great way to eat local, organic, healthy foods and support the local industry. The Carolina Lowlands are famous for their rich, fertile soils that have fed the city of Charleston from its very founding. The area’s bountiful harvest has given rise to a unique foodie culture that focuses on good food, good times and strong community bonds. The islands and farmlands around the area produce a range of delicious crops ripe for any foodie’s table.

Charleston has several great farmers’ markets beloved by locals. When locals look at Folly Beach homes for sale and consider moving to the area, it’s often because they want to visit the local farmers’ market for their fruit, produce and seafood.

Explore some of the Holy City’s best farmers’ markets and get some of the delicious Carolina Lowlands products for your dinner table.

1. Charleston Farmers Market

The Charleston Farmers Market is the largest farmers’ market in Charleston proper. Founded in 1989 as a project by Clemson University, this market has won numerous awards, including Best Outdoor Event in Charleston every year since 2013.

The market is set up in Marion Square in the historic center of Charleston and offers local Lowcountry fruits, veggies and other artisanal goods. The market has live music for your shopping enjoyment and a fun, festive atmosphere.

The market is open from April to November on Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with additional special market days on holidays like the Piccolo Spoleto Festival and a festive holiday market on Saturdays and Sundays in December.

2. Sea Island Farmers Market

The laid-back, friendly Sea Island Farmers Market has everything from fungi to baked goods. The market is held on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Charleston Collegiate Campus.

The market offers organic foods and many artisanal product stalls and food trucks. Try some of the cheese from Counter Cheese Caves or the spicy sauces from Sobremesa Mole and Sauces, grab a fair trade cup of coffee from Big Kick coffee and save room for a dessert from Kona Ice.

3. Sunday Brunch Farmers Market

Dedicated to promoting local products and having a good time doing it, the Sunday Brunch Farmers Market is a great way to start your Sunday Funday off right. The market features excellent local music, delicious local food and lots of artisanal products to buy, and you can rest assured that 100% of the proceeds go into the community.

The market is open every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., year-round, at 1977 Maybank Highway. Take home some fresh pasta from Rio Bertolini’s, have a fresh warm bagel from Moonrise Bagel, buy some local handicrafts and bags from Indigo Bee or add some incredible, soothing smells to your home with a candle from SheSells Candles.

4. Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market

For those looking for a midweek farmers’ market, the Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market, located in beautiful Mt. Pleasant, is a great place to try some of the best products of the Carolina Lowlands. The market is open from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday from April to November and offers free parking for those coming in from other places in the Charleston area.

The Mt. Pleasant Farmers’ Market focuses on seasonal foods and is your source for perfectly ripe fruits and vegetables. They even publish a calendar of the foods they offer so that all customers can know what will be in season and the best foods to pick up at one of the numerous stalls.

5. Folly Beach Farmers Market

Folly Beach Farmers Market is the only indigenously owned farmers’ market in South Carolina. The market is open twice a week, on Mondays from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sample some of the local products made by the funky, laid-back Folly Beach community. Listen to live music while you shop, and even stop by some educational stands to learn about the value of sustainable agriculture and its potential benefits for the ecology of the Lowlands.

6.  Moncks Corner Farmers Market

Since its start in 2015, the Monck Corner Farmers Market has brought fresh produce to the Charleston community while highlighting specific seasonal foods. Twice a month over the summer, the market has a special celebration of some Lowcountry favorites, including roses in June, blueberries in July and watermelon in August.

Sample the seasonal eats and the food truck fare at this fantastic farmers’ market in a charming town located just south of Lake Moultrie, 50 minutes northwest of Charleston.

7. Lowcountry Street Grocery

For those looking for all the delicious foods of a traditional farmers’ market but who can’t make it to one of the regular ones around Charleston, all you have to do is wait for the green bus. The old green school bus is the Lowcountry Street Grocery, a mobile greengrocer that brings the best organic, healthy, locally sourced foods of a farmers’ market to all neighborhoods of the city.

The bus makes regular stops around the city and even delivers to customers who can’t make it to one of the scheduled stops. If you see the bus, you can shop inside, give money back to the community and support an organization committed to bringing amazing local food to every corner of the city.

Eat Well, Eat Local

Charleston, South Carolina is a foodie’s paradise. From top-end restaurants to world-class seafood, the Lowcountry caters to many tastes. The farmers’ market scene is active, engaged and committed to bringing everyone delicious, locally and sustainably sourced food and artisanal products.

If the food scene catches your stomach and your heart, explore some of the communities in the Carolina Lowlands. This warm, laid-back part of the country is quickly becoming a hotspot for people relocating from other areas. Check out Kiawah Island real estate and other areas around this welcoming, friendly part of the Old South and make this foodie paradise your permanent home.