  THE MOYOCK FARM MARKET Where Everyone Finds Their Perfect Pumpkin! by Jean Loxley-Barnard There is a farm market just off Caratoke Highway in Moyock, which must be the happiest place in town, and feels like a small-town center. Owned by Jonathon and Jamie Pittman, it is open every day of the month-until January. "I look forward to January," Jamie laughs, admitting, "when we are open just four days a week!" But both husband and wife love being at their Moyock Farm Market, whether seven days a week year-round or January's four! A constant stream of customers who have become friends stop to say hello. Everyone feels at home there, harkening back to memories of their hometowns. Jon and Jamie are happy to see everyone, and their cozy Farm Market becomes everyone's neighborhood of yore. "We feel so close to our regular customers that we can remind them when they forget something they always buy," Jamie notes. "I do enjoy my customers-that's my favorite part of working here!" The market attracts entire families. Now, for instance, the incredible array of pumpkins in all sizes-and colors even, that include tiny pumpkins for the smallest children, are magnets for the whole family. Christmas may be the only season that attracts more families. Last year's live Christmas trees went quickly, with Jon amazed that many wanted ever-larger trees! Jon's beautiful wife and partner, Jamie, works
tirelessly with him every day. "But," Jamie relates, "Jon works 18 hours
a day!" No one knows how Jon does it or why he never seems tired.
Besides being the owner of this charming vegetable, fruit, dairy, fresh
fish, and meat market, he has, since 2004, owned and operated a trucking
company with a small fleet of trucks, dump trucks, and refrigeration
trucks. And he is also currently employed as a part-time deputy sheriff!
In his spare time of course. This last calling also seems to be in his
blood: he previously worked as a deputy full-time. Jon
feels no need to apologize for his dedication."It is who I am. I love
it!" he declares. Jamie agrees, adding that the combination of deputy
sheriff service and his lifelong dream of a farm market has made him
feel "complete." Few
of us are always cheerful, but Jonathon Pittman is. We don't need to
know how he maintains joy; we are simply delighted to know it is
possible. Perhaps the old adage is true-those who love what they do
never work a day in their lives. "The friendliest place in Moyock" is what everyone will tell you about the burgeoning town's beautiful Moyock Farm Market.  Jamie worked in banking from 2002 until 2012, and
then when their children were young, "stayed home" for five years until
the Farm Market opened in 2017. The Pittmans' 12-year-old daughter has
her own niche: creating a drink labeled Jaelyn's Lemonade. Jackson, age
14, enjoys viedo games and cooking. ("Maybe one day we will have Chef
Jackson," Jamie laughs.). Jon has lived in Moyock his entire life while
Jamie grew up in a military family in Norfolk, then Virginia Beach
before "Marrying Moyock!" "Jon and I
are well-suited for this work," Jamie adds, "because as passionate as
he is about the produce and other products, I am equally as passionate
about forging relationships with our community and providing exceptional
customer service!" - Jamie Pittman The Moyock Farm Market opened on May 25, 2017, but
its seeds were planted in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Jon's
grandfather, Haywood Ward (also a deputy sheriff), had a vegetable
market. That inspired Jon to open his first market in 1990, when he was
only 10. The business has been in his blood ever since. Now,
there are 19 employees who call the Moyock Farm Market their home away
from home. Some are family, such as Cindy Pollock, Jon's mother, who
helps a few hours a day and is obviously the inspiration for Jon's
friendly temperament. The employees who are not actual family members
feel like they are. "We are so blessed to have our staff," Jon points
out. "While so many businesses cannot get enough help, we are fortunate
to have a waiting list of good people ready for an opening. It doesn't
get any better than that!" "Jon
and I are well-suited for this work," Jamie adds, "because as
passionate as he is about the produce and other products, I am equally
as passionate about forging relationships with our community and
providing exceptional customer service!" "The
friendliest place in Moyock" is what everyone will tell you about the
burgeoning town's beautiful Moyock Farm Market. "Beautiful," as owner
Jonathon Pittman says, "from beautiful flowers to fruit and vegetables
... and happy kids!" Jonathon
Pittman becomes nostalgic when looking back on his beginnings and says,
"I am forever hoping my kids will take over someday." So are his loyal
customers.  Jamie and Jon Pittman  Moyock Farm Market 193 Camelia Dr Moyock, NC 252-435-6449 |