It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic North Carolina Executive Mansion gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Raleigh, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“My family’s experience has been wonderful with Always Best Care. They are an exceptional team”
“Always going the extra mile making sure my father is being well taken care of.”
“Always best care is a family oriented agency . I am blessed in my heart”
“I am very grateful to work for Always Best Care since year 2019. All office”
“Wonderful company!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services was exactly what our family needed during a challenging time”
“Wow, the virtual reality dementia training is very eye opening. Gives you an idea of”
“Enjoyed taking this virtual trip through the mind of a dementia.”
“This was a very good experience. It changed my mind on a lot of things”
“I had a great experience”
“Great experience! I think everyone who cares for someone with dementia should have this experience.”
“This experience was great. It gave me a different perspective on dealing with dementia. I”
“It was a great experience and it is a eye opener I loved it”
“Very knowledgeable and informative! Definitely recommend”
“Great training”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care provided excellent, diligent, responsive and”
“They helped me with getting a wheelchair! They didn't want anything but to help me”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with.”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed,”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Always Best Care goes above and beyond to provide great care for you or your”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by”
“My family’s experience has been wonderful with Always Best Care. They are an exceptional team of caregivers who really care about the well fare of their clients. They go above and beyond taking care of my parents and have been very professional and dependable. I would recommend ABC to anyone who needs a reliable and competent care team. Karen Lussi”
“Always going the extra mile making sure my father is being well taken care of.”
“Always best care is a family oriented agency . I am blessed in my heart to see the services being rendered to clients. Extra miles taken to make sure every client is well taken care, even in unpleasant weather conditions. The CEO and administrators were out in the snow last week picking up workers who were unsure of driving . I was glad to see this commitment, making sure families could sit back and relax. With no fear, I will recommend Always best to any family who needs awesome care for their love ones.”
“I am very grateful to work for Always Best Care since year 2019. All office staff are great people, very helpful and always treat everyone with love and respect. Definitively it is a bless to work for this agency.”
“Wonderful company!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services was exactly what our family needed during a challenging time with our father. It all began with a fall, followed by an ER visit, and soon after, my sister and I found ourselves flying to NC to care for him and plan the next steps. Kathryn from Always Best Care was an absolute lifesaver! She guided us seamlessly through the process of finding the perfect independent senior living community for our father. Her extensive industry knowledge helped us navigate the additional health services he required with ease. Kathryn went above and beyond, consistently checking in and patiently responding to countless texts and emails from us. Thanks to her support, our father is now thriving in a supportive environment and is healthier than ever. We can’t imagine how we would have managed this journey without Kathryn’s expertise and compassion. Truly an incredible experience!”
“Wow, the virtual reality dementia training is very eye opening. Gives you an idea of what someone living with dementia is like. This is such a horrible disease but this helps care givers understand the disease. Thanks so much!!”
“Enjoyed taking this virtual trip through the mind of a dementia.”
“This was a very good experience. It changed my mind on a lot of things . I didn’t know it was that bad for them and it’s very sad , I will always treat them all with care and love no matter what because there dealing with something that’s really hard to deal with .”
“I had a great experience”
“Great experience! I think everyone who cares for someone with dementia should have this experience.”
“This experience was great. It gave me a different perspective on dealing with dementia. I now know what to do differently when working with my residents. I think A all caregivers should experience this training.”
“It was a great experience and it is a eye opener I loved it”
“Very knowledgeable and informative! Definitely recommend”
“Great training”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care provided excellent, diligent, responsive and caring home health assistance to my mother who was recovering from an unexpected surgery. They were able to assist on incredibly short notice and made a difficult situation for our family much better. Each of their carers was exceptionally professional and attentive, especially Lori and Kylie who were incredible. I felt safe leaving my loved one in their care and appreciated that they went above and beyond to meet our needs. They provided regular updates to me and my family and made my mother feel so well attended, especially as she needed extra mobility and personal care help. I would absolutely not work with any other company, should we ever need home health assistance again. Highly recommend.”
“They helped me with getting a wheelchair! They didn't want anything but to help me gain my mobility! They are all super nice and very helpful! Give them your trust, they have mine. If I ever need home help, it'll be through them!”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had to downsize due to an unexpected illness and Always Best Care (ABC) stepped in to make this possible. Kind, compassion, pleasant, friendly, joyful and talented professionals comprise those providing this service. I literally couldn’t have lived for at my assisted living since I had so many hospital visits each week. I didn’t want to go alone to these appointments and this freed my family from needless distress and worry about my wellbeing when they couldn’t be there. I highly recommend ABC since they are an essential component providing excellent and reliable support.”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in law transition into her new home after moving to Raleigh from Winston Salem. She has dialysis 3x a week and they have worked so hard to coordinate a schedule to make sure everything runs smoothly. Sherry continues to amaze me in how she is able to help figure out schedules and provide customer services in a kind and professional manner. We will continue to look to this wonderful service provider as her needs change and feel blessed to have them on site at Atri”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with. He was sincerely concerned about my mom and our family. He is an excellent listener and introduced me to Paige who is equally wonderful. Together they found a great place for my mother in a very short time. Paige was always available to speak on the phone and addressed my questions or concerns. I would recommend using this service for your loved one. Laura B of Raleigh”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed, and things changed constantly. My dad has a chance to live the rest of his life with dignity and my mom has a chance to live a fuller life because of the help we got from Kathryn and this team. They have a great network and valuable knowledge but what observed that makes them invaluable is that they care...and when you are on this situation I found that this is the quality that matters the most. Cannot thank them enough.”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Always Best Care goes above and beyond to provide great care for you or your loved ones. Always Best Care makes it possible to stay in home, and stay as independent as possible. ABC staff are there to assist in keeping you or your loved ones safe, healthy and happy. If you are looking for top quality care, you have found the right place!”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We are very satisfied with his service and professionalism. He took his time and our requirements and found the perfect place. Highly recommend him and Always Best Care!”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by far the best place I've worked our boss and staff are everything.????????????????????????????????????????????????????”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Pullen Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Capital Grille or visit Mordecai House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Raleigh, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Raleigh, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Raleigh, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Raleigh pastor is facing up to decades behind bars after pleading guilty to receiving more than $400,000 of fraudulent government-funded COVID-19 loans.According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 45-year-old Mitchell Summerfield was found guilty of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 loan funds.According to court documents, Summerfield was the pastor of the Word of God Fellowship Church in Raleigh and owned various other businesses...
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Raleigh pastor is facing up to decades behind bars after pleading guilty to receiving more than $400,000 of fraudulent government-funded COVID-19 loans.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 45-year-old Mitchell Summerfield was found guilty of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud in connection with a scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 loan funds.
According to court documents, Summerfield was the pastor of the Word of God Fellowship Church in Raleigh and owned various other businesses, including Winning Ways, KHS Investments, and Vision and Destiny.
In 2018, Summerfield stepped into the role of lead pastor at Word of God Fellowship, a church founded by his late parents. His church biography describes him as "a next generation leader," crediting him for closing real estate deals valued at over a million dollars.
At one of the companies, Winning Ways, which Summerfield claimed is a home for teen mothers, investigators said it never operated, but he still received a nearly $150,000 loan.
Between July 2020 and July 2021, documents said Summerfield conspired with others to submit false and fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster loans (EIDL) for his businesses.
Documents showed that Summerfield submitted multiple EIDL and/or PPP applications on behalf of Winning Ways, KHS Investments, and Vision and Destiny, and made various false statements in the applications in order to get lending agencies to approve and send out the requested loan amounts.
Investigators found that Summerfield also provided fabricated IRS tax forms, including false income tax returns.
As a result of the fraudulent applications, he received more than $400,000 in PPP and EIDL funds and used the proceeds for unauthorized and unlawful purposes, including paying for personal expenses.
According to documents, Summerfield used the money for everything from flights to shopping, designer clothes, and family planning.
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At his sentencing, Summerfield is facing up to 30 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, and five years of supervised release. The DOJ said Sumerfield will also be required to pay restitution in an amount that is to be determined.
ABC11 reached out to Summerfield's listed attorney by phone to get his side of the story, but she declined the call.
A Raleigh pastor could spend decades in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to obtaining fraudulent COVID-19 loans.Mitchell Summerfield, 45, is awaiting sentencing on a charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.Summerfield is the pastor of Word of God Fellowship Church on Rock Quarry Road, according to the church’s website.The scheme began in July 2020, ...
A Raleigh pastor could spend decades in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to obtaining fraudulent COVID-19 loans.
Mitchell Summerfield, 45, is awaiting sentencing on a charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Summerfield is the pastor of Word of God Fellowship Church on Rock Quarry Road, according to the church’s website.
The scheme began in July 2020, when Summerfield had his accountants submit fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Program loans and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, according to court documents. The programs were created by the U.S. government during the COVID-19 pandemic to help small businesses survive the pandemic.
According to court documents, Summerfield conspired with his accountants and the owner of a financial company to submit fraudulent applications on:
On several occasions, when the fraudulent loans were deposited, the bank accounts they were deposited to would have balances as low as $60, according to court documents.
According to court records, Summerfield used the loans to purchase designer clothing, “family planning,” flights, consulting services and other personal expenses and pay off unrelated loans.
The charges against Summerfield were submitted in federal court Jan. 28, according to court records. At his sentencing, he could face up to 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine and five years of supervised release, the press release said.
Summerfield may also have to forfeit at least $402,166, the amount he received in fraudulent loans, court records indicate.
North Carolina court records show Summerfield also owes $2,738 in Wake County Court as part of a judgment by Dominion Energy as of Thursday afternoon and has a lien on his Apex home after failing to pay $1,904 to the homeowners’ association.
The church’s website describes Summerfield as its chief operating officer and a member of the board of directors for Winning Ways Community Development Corporation and Word of God Christian Academy.
“Pastor Mitch successfully merged his business acumen and ministry insight into closing real estate deals of over $1 million,” the website states.
The church was founded by Summerfield’s parents in 1988, according to its website.
Summerfield is tentatively set to return to court for sentencing the week of Aug. 11, court records show.
A new analysis found that one of the best grocery stores in the country is in Raleigh.But the best “grocery store” isn’t actually a grocery store. It’s the State Farmers Market.The team at Solitaired, a company that offers online solitaire and other games, produced ...
A new analysis found that one of the best grocery stores in the country is in Raleigh.
But the best “grocery store” isn’t actually a grocery store. It’s the State Farmers Market.
The team at Solitaired, a company that offers online solitaire and other games, produced the study, which analyzed Google reviews of 3,000 grocery stores in the 100 most populated cities in the United States.
The State Farmers Market, located south of downtown Raleigh at 1201 Agriculture St., ranked No. 12 on the list of the 50 best grocery stores, making it the best grocery store in the state. (Trader Joe’s locations in Charlotte and Raleigh also made the top 50 list.)
In March, when the authors performed research for the analysis, the farmers market had 4.7 stars and 8,820 Google reviews. As of late May, it maintains its star rating and has more than 8,900 reviews.
Lois Lee has been shopping at the farmers market for around 50 years and still visits at least once weekly, she told The News & Observer. She often starts her trips perusing fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes and cucumbers before browsing the flowers.
Lee described the produce as “high quality,” noting that she chooses to purchase fruits and vegetables from the farmers market because she knows where the goods are coming from, and she knows they’re fresh.
“Nobody’s rushing me. Nobody’s pushing anything on me. ... I love coming here,” she said.
Greg and Kim Howes, who live in the Raleigh area, have been shopping at the farmers market for more than 25 years, they said, making weekly trips to pick up whatever is in season.
They like buying from the farmers market because they know the items are fresh and local, and Greg Howes said he likes the outdoor setting, as opposed to a traditional, indoor grocery store.
Heather Walker is a co-owner of Walker Farms, based in Franklinville. The farm started bringing its produce to the busy State Farmers Market about 15 years ago.
One weekday in May, Walker Farms was selling tomatoes, summer squash, sweet and hot peppers, corn and several varieties of eggplant.
“You get to meet a lot of interesting people,” Walker said. “A lot of customers from all over the country come to shop with us, whether they’re on vacation or just moving here.”
Rachel Kelley has been coming to the farmers market since she was a child, and she now works at the market, selling produce for L&G Farms, which is based in Meadow. In May, the stand was offering heirloom and regular tomatoes, several varieties of zucchini, squash, cabbage, strawberries and peaches.
As a seller, Kelley said, she has a nuanced understanding of the produce on display, including what distinguishes varieties, how the produce tastes and how to prepare or cook it.
While prices at the farmers market may be higher than what shoppers might find at a traditional grocery store, customers can know that their purchases at the farmers market directly support North Carolinians, Kelley said.
“Everything is local,” Kelley said. “Everything in this building is only North Carolina-grown.”
The State Farmers Market was not the only North Carolina “grocery store” that made the top 50 list.
A Charlotte Trader Joe’s on East Arbors Drive ranked No. 18, a Trader Joe’s on Wake Forest Road in Raleigh ranked No. 33, and a Trader Joe’s on Metropolitan Avenue in Charlotte ranked No. 42.
Trader Joe’s only had one location that ranked in the top 10, but 33 of the 50 best-rated grocery stores are Trader Joe’s.
Other North Carolina grocery stores, including two in the Triangle, were mentioned in the Solitaired analysis — but not for positive reasons.
Most of central North Carolina — including the Triangle — could see storms from Thursday night to Saturday afternoon, May 29-31, and some of them could bring large hail, damaging winds or even gin up an isolated tornado.The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the next few ...
Most of central North Carolina — including the Triangle — could see storms from Thursday night to Saturday afternoon, May 29-31, and some of them could bring large hail, damaging winds or even gin up an isolated tornado.
The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for the next few days as a series of weather systems creates instability. A mid- and upper-level disturbance will move across North and South Carolina Thursday afternoon and evening, and a low-pressure system will strengthen across the Ohio Valley Thursday night, meteorologists say. That will move across the Middle Atlantic region Friday and Friday night, at the same time a strong cold front will move across the Carolinas.
Here’s when forecasters say to be on alert.
The Weather Service said Thursday, May 29, that scattered storms will develop after 4 p.m. and through the evening, some of which could generate locally damaging wind gusts. The chance of rain in Raleigh is 60% Thursday night, and total rainfall amounts could be up to three-fourths of an inch.
Severe thunderstorms are expected Friday, most likely starting after 2 p.m. in the Triangle, forecasters say. Large hail and damaging wind gusts will be the primary hazards, but a tornado or two is possible across the region that includes Wake, Durham, Orange and Chatham counties.
Wind gusts of up to 18 mph should be expected Friday night, and they could be higher in storms.
The chance of rain will drop after 11 p.m., but some areas could see rainfall totals of up to three-fourths of an inch on Friday, forecasters say.
Storms will be over the Interstate 95 corridor in the late afternoon Friday and into Friday night, the Weather Service says.
Overnight, skies are expected to clear across the region.
A few storms with small hail are possible Saturday afternoon, forecasters say, over the same central N.C. area, but sunny skies are expected otherwise.
Liberty will play NC State in men’s basketball this coming season new Wolfpack head coach Will Wade told Andy Katz.“We’ve got a really good Liberty team coming in here,” Wade told Katz when referring to his upcoming non-conference schedule. “Ritchie McKay always does a phenomenal job.”McKay and Wade are familiar with each other, having played a few times previously. Just this past season, Liberty defeated Wade’s McNeese team to win the 2024 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam. Both Liberty...
Liberty will play NC State in men’s basketball this coming season new Wolfpack head coach Will Wade told Andy Katz.
“We’ve got a really good Liberty team coming in here,” Wade told Katz when referring to his upcoming non-conference schedule. “Ritchie McKay always does a phenomenal job.”
McKay and Wade are familiar with each other, having played a few times previously. Just this past season, Liberty defeated Wade’s McNeese team to win the 2024 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam. Both Liberty and McNeese would advance to the NCAA Tournament this past March with Wade and the Cowboys upsetting 5-seed Clemson in the first round before Wade formally accepted the NC State position.
This will be the sixth meeting between McKay and Wade with Wade holding a 4-1 record. The pair first met up when Wade was at VCU when the Flames and Rams had a home-and-home agreement. VCU defeated Liberty, 85-57, on Dec. 27, 2016, in Richmond and again, 64-59, on Nov. 15, 2017, in Lynchburg. After Wade took over as head coach at LSU, the Flames made the trip to Baton Rouge a couple of times. A 14-0 Liberty team suffered its first setback of the season Dec. 29, 2020, to Wade and LSU, 74-57. On Nov. 15, 2022, Wade and the Tigers defeated McKay and Liberty, 74-58.
Wade takes over for Kevin Keatts in Raleigh. The Wolfpack are coming off a 12-19 season and 5-15 mark in ACC play. This was just one year after NC State made an improbable run to the ACC Tournament championship and Final Four. This will be the third ever meeting between NC State and Liberty. The two previous meetings, both Wolfpack wins, were played in Raleigh. NC State defeated Liberty, 85-50, on Dec. 17, 2000, and again on Dec. 11, 2005, 94-60.
Liberty hasn’t played an ACC team in the regular season since defeating Wake Forest, 79-66, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Nov. 14, 2017. Lovell Cabbil led the way for the Flames in that win with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals while Ryan Kemrite added 17 points. The Flames did meet up with Virginia Tech in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament on March 24, 2019, falling, 67-58.
This continues to add to Liberty’s known non-conference schedule for next season. As we reported previously, the Flames will compete in an Orlando ESPN Event next season where eight teams will play a three-game tournament at Disney World Resort’s State Farm Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Florida. Official matchups are to be determined for the event taking place Monday, Nov. 24 – Wednesday, Nov. 26 just ahead of Thanksgiving. The rest of that tournament field includes Bradley, Princeton, Rhode Island, Temple, Towson, UC San Diego, and Vermont. This event, Terry’s Chocolate ESPN Events Invitational, was officially announced Wednesday. The Flames will compete in the Adventure Bracket.
This coming season is also the final year of the three-year Field of 68 Invitational. As part of that event, the Flames will host College of Charleston and FAU at Liberty Arena for a round robin event this upcoming season. Over the past two seasons, Liberty has competed in this event first in Boca Raton, Florida two years ago and last year in Charleston, South Carolina.
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