The Sanford Farmers’ Market announced a new sponsorship from Central Carolina Hospital for the market’s “Art Meets Ag” event series.
Central Carolina Hospital will be the presenting sponsor of the market’s event series starting in 2026, including concerts and performances, health and wellness events, and other special and holiday events throughout the year.
The sponsorship will go into effect during the first full year the market has relocated to its new home across Charlotte Avenue at the future Sanford Agricultural Marketplace facility. The Sanford Agricultural Marketplace will be the interface where the City of Sanford and North Carolina Cooperative Extension and partner organizations collaborate to support local agriculture and community wellbeing in and around Lee County.
In addition to a market pavilion, the facility will house a teaching and demonstration kitchen, shared-use commercial kitchen, performing arts stage, and classroom and meeting spaces.
In recognition of CCH’s sponsorship, Dave Santoemma, Chief Executive Officer of Central Carolina Hospital, joined the SFM board of directors at the market on Saturday, Aug. 10, to celebrate the announcement of this partnership as well as experience one of the market’s special events this year, “Pepper Palooza!”
“This is an exciting partnership between two organizations that are dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for residents of Sanford and Lee County,” Santoemma said. “CCH is delighted to join with the Farmer’s Market in offering community events and activities that will help fulfill our mission of ‘making communities healthier.’”
The gathering was also a celebration of National Farmers’ Market Week (Aug. 4-10), a national event recognizing the essential role that farmers’ markets play in supplying our communities access to fresh, locally grown produce and supporting a food system that works better for farmers and their communities.
Feature photo: Celebrating Central Carolina Hospital’s commitment to help sponsor events at the Sanford Agricultural Marketplace are Sanford Farmers’ Market Board members, from left, Alexandria Rye, Hunter Ayers, Bo Holland, Bill Oberkirsch, Kim Reagan, Market Manager Meredith Favre, CCH CEO Dave Santoemma and Steve McNeill. [Photo Credit: Mark Rogers, The Sanford Herald]
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