Thursday, November 21st, 2024, marked a monumental day for the city of Sanford as officials and community leaders broke ground on the future site of the Pilgrim’s Sanford Agriculture Marketplace. This state-of-the-art facility is set to become a cornerstone of Sanford’s growing community, offering a space for the city’s weekly Farmer’s Market, nutrition education programs, health and wellness activities, and serving as a key entry point for the upcoming Sanford Central Green.

The new marketplace represents the first phase of transforming the area between Charlotte Avenue and Weatherspoon Street into the Sanford Central Green, a project designed to revitalize Downtown Sanford and spur economic growth in East Sanford. It will also serve as a vital anchor in the effort to tackle food insecurity while strengthening the local infrastructure.

“The Sanford Agricultural Marketplace project will be the centerpiece of the East Sanford Downtown renovation initiative,” said Bill Stone, Director of the Lee County Extension Center. “It will serve as a community epicenter for celebrating Lee County’s rich agricultural heritage while promoting the vibrancy and diversity of downtown Sanford through food and fellowship.”

The marketplace is made possible thanks to funding from several key partners, including the Ruby & Ernest McSwain Worthy Lands Trust, Rural Transformation Grant, North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund, Pilgrim’s Hometown Strong, and the Lee County Farm Bureau.

Once completed, the facility will feature a covered market pavilion, a performing arts stage, a demonstration and commercial-use kitchen, meeting and office space, as well as greenways and gardens. These elements will provide space for a wide range of activities that promote community engagement, wellness, and economic development.

To keep the community informed on the progress of the Sanford Agriculture Marketplace, residents and visitors are encouraged to follow updates on social media platforms, including our Instagram and Facebook pages. For more information on this and other ongoing projects, please visit our website’s Current Projects page.