The Bulb is a mobile farmer’s market — learn how to get free food (or to help!)

How The Bulb Works

The Bulb partners with grocery stores like Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s and Costco to “rescue” food that the stores deem unsellable. Then The Bulb’s “Food Rescue Team” sorts, washes and repackages what is still quality produce. It composts the rest to make nutrient-rich soil for The Bulb’s Urban Farm.

The Bulb also receives donations of produce, mostly from small, sustainable farms across the Carolinas.

Then, The Bulb brings its mobile farmers’ market to neighborhoods that lack access to fresh produce. They currently operate at 13 locations, each on a weekly or twice a month basis.

The mobile markets are barrier-free There is no referral, registration, ID or payment required.

The Bulb simply offers guests their choice of fresh produce. No questions asked.

Where and When to Shop at The Bulb

Find the current schedule for market sites here.

This is the schedule at the time of this update (July 23, 2025):

Monday

• Weekly: Woodlawn UMC, 10:30–11:30 a.m., 737 E Woodlawn Rd., Charlotte, NC 28209

Tuesday

• Weekly: Beatties Ford, 10:30–11:30 a.m., 2401 Kendall Dr., Charlotte, NC 28216
• 1st & 3rd Tue: Cokesbury Methodist Church, 1:30–2:30 p.m., 6701 Idlewild Rd., Charlotte, NC 28212
• 2nd & 4th Tue: Renaissance West, 3:30–4:30 p.m., 3241 New Renaissance Way, Charlotte, NC 28208
• Weekly: Hidden Valley, 5–6 p.m., 802 Tom Hunter Rd., Charlotte, NC 28213

Wednesday

• 1st & 3rd Wed: Garinger High School, 10:45–11:45 a.m., 2586 Elkwood Cir., Charlotte, NC 28205
• 1st & 3rd Wed: Grier Heights Community Center, 4–5 p.m., 3100 LeRoy St., Charlotte, NC 28205
• 2nd & 4th Wed: Peppertree, 4–5 p.m., 4335 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205

Thursday

• Weekly: North End, 11 a.m.–12 p.m., 1514 N Graham St., Charlotte, NC 28206
• 1st & 3rd Thur: Shamrock, 3–4 p.m., 3779 Michigan Ave., Charlotte, NC 28215
• 2nd & 4th Thur: Lake Mist, 3–4 p.m., 1120-A Lakemist Dr., Charlotte, NC 28217

Friday

• 1st & 3rd Fri: Mapleway, 10:30–11:30 a.m., 1012 McAlway Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211
• 2nd & 4th Fri: EastSide, 10:30–11:30 a.m., 3925 Willard Farrow Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215

Donate Money

Donate money here. You can donate through PayPal or a Debit or Credit Card.

If you’re donating by check, please mail to The Bulb Gallery, 932 Seigle Avenue, Charlotte, NC, 28205.

Donate Supplies

Donated supplies through The Bulb’s Amazon Wish List. Alternately, take a look at the wish list and buy items locally. They’re looking for supplies like trash cans, laminating pouches, laundry detergent soap, containers and much more.

Donate Produce from Your Home Garden

You can even donate excess produce from your home garden. Just drop it off at The Bulb’s headquarters at Innovation Barn, 932 Seigle Avenue, Charlotte, NC, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There’s a special “Fill the Van” event on Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 3 to 5 p.m., at Patagonia South End, 101 W Worthington Avenue, Charlotte, NC. Bring your extra produce to launch a week of community-powered food access. At the event enjoy bites from Patagonia Provisions, fresh local produce, local brews and kid-friendly vibes.

Volunteer

The Bulb offers volunteer opportunities for people of all ages, from elementary school to retirement. No experience is necessary and there are a variety of dates and times available.

Take a look at all the volunteer opportunities at thebulbgallery.org/volunteer and just sign up for the ones you’re interested in!

Opportunities include:

• Market operations
• Market check-in
• “Food rescue crew”
• Food rescue driver’s sidekick
• Rescue and repackage: produce sorting shift
• Planting at The Bulb Urban Farm
• Market delivery