Construction is well underway on the Pilgrim’s Sanford Agricultural Marketplace, envisioned as the go-to regional market for the entire Sandhills area. With progress moving steadily forward, several members of the Sanford City Council recently visited the site to celebrate the project’s progress and share their excitement with the community.
“This incredible project has brought many folks together with a shared common vision,” said Mayor Rebecca Salmon. “We cannot wait to see how this grows, how this develops, and how it becomes a key cornerstone of the things that make Sanford truly special.”
The Marketplace, set to open in the Spring of 2026, will serve as a vibrant regional hub for farmers, artisans, and visitors across the Sandhills region and surrounding counties. In addition to serving as the home for the Sanford Farmers’ Market, the site will offer year-round programming in partnership with the N.C. Cooperative Extension, including educational workshops, cooking classes, and demonstrations on food preservation. The building will also provide a commercial kitchen to support local food-based businesses.
Councilmember Jean Dabbs emphasized the Marketplace’s role in supporting local entrepreneurship: “It will provide a place for our farmers and all kinds of vendors every Saturday - and as we continue, it’ll be open multiple times during the week.”
Councilmember Walter Ferguson highlighted the broader regional impact: “It’s going to attract people, not only from Sanford, but from Broadway, Lee County, Chatham County, and all of the counties around.”
Councilmember JD Williams noted the practical benefit for residents: “It’s going to be a big boon. We already have people going to the local farms, my wife included. They won’t have to do that anymore. All they have to do is come to the Marketplace arena.”
Councilmember Linda Rhodes reflected on the project's community impact: “Growing up in Sanford, whether or not my mother had a successful summer, depended on how many canned goods she had. With support from our Cooperative Extension agency here in Sanford, the new farmers' market will offer instructions on how to properly can vegetables. We're truly excited about everything this market will bring to our community.”
Mayor Salmon highlighted that the Marketplace positions agriculture at the heart of Sanford while also serving as the gateway to the future Sanford Central Green. This revitalized public space will extend from Charlotte Avenue and First Street in Downtown Sanford to the Sanford Municipal Center on Weatherspoon Street.
“This innovative green space will offer opportunities to engage not only in the farmers’ market, but also in various green spaces and interactive activities - all designed to create a phenomenal quality of life for generations to come,” she added.
The Pilgrim’s Sanford Agricultural Marketplace has secured over $3 million in funding through the support of both public and private partners. Contributors include the Ruby and Ernest McSwain Worthy Lands Trust, the North Carolina Department of Commerce Rural Transformation Grant Fund, the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, the Pilgrim’s Hometown Strong Fund, and Lee County Farm Bureau.
The City of Sanford will make the remaining investment using funds made available by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Find more information and follow the construction progress on our Projects Hub.